Oct 7, 2008 - 11:24 PM
0 shoutsPHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers posted many memorable triumphs at the Wachovia Spectrum during the 29 seasons they called the building their home. Unfortunately, their final contest at the arena ended in defeat.
The Philadelphia Phantoms rallied for three goals in the third period Tuesday to post a 4-2 victory over the Flyers in the NHL club's last game at the Spectrum, which is scheduled to be demolished in the fall of 2009.
The Flyers began their tenure in the NHL in 1967, and the Spectrum was their only home until the Wachovia Center opened right next door in 1996. Instead of closing the doors of the old arena, however, the Flyers purchased an American Hockey League team, the Phantoms, and made it the building's primary tenant.
After recording a 4-2 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes here on September 27, the Flyers scheduled one final contest at the Spectrum, fittingly against the Phantoms. In honor of the building's first year of existence, a number of tickets were priced at $19.67, and the attendance was announced as 17,077 - the old sellout total at the arena.
Dressing most of their regulars, the Flyers opened the scoring midway through the first period, when Simon Gagne fired a one-timer past goaltender Antero Niittymaki at 12:11. But the Phantoms pulled even late in the second as Jared Ross netted a power-play goal with 2:48 remaining, knocking a loose puck behind netminder Martin Biron.
Patrick Maroon buried a loose puck at 9:07 of the third to put the Phantoms ahead for good, and Jonathan Matsumoto doubled the lead with 5:49 to go, when he put the rebound of Claude Giroux's shot behind goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin.
Scottie Upshall drew the Flyers within 3-2 less than a minute later on a deflection in front, and Jeff Carter appeared to forge a tie with 43.8 seconds remaining, but the goal was disallowed after it was ruled he intentionally knocked the puck into the net with his hand.
Andreas Nodl sealed the win for the Phantoms with an empty-netter with 17.7 seconds left.
After the final buzzer, both teams gathered at center ice for a group photo - one last memory of the building in which the "Broad Street Bullies" did their best work.
