The Flyers' won tonight to clinch the series with the Devils- and one the symbolic moments of the game was Ian Laperriere sliding to the ice to block a shot, and ended up succeeding in doing so. Unfortunately for him, however, he blocked the shot with his face. The puck hit just above his right eye and opened a gash that required 60-70 stitches to close. This type of all out, sacrifice all to make the play example brought to mind the image of another Philly athlete bleeding from the face. A few seasons ago- then Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand made an awesome catch on a dead run, and promptly slammed face-first into the fence at Citizen's Bank Park. The play instantaneously endeared him to Philly fans- and even after leaving, I recall him receiving a warm welcome (a rarity for opposing players coming to Philadelphia) when he returned for a game with his new team, the San Francisco Giants.
For all the bad publicity that Philly fans get- I'm proud to be one. Generally speaking, we cheer our teams loudly when they're doing well, but we're not afraid to let them hear it when they're performing poorly. (And given the chance- we'd punch that vomiting idiot in the face) Despite it all, we're diehard loyal to our teams- and if you go out there and give 110% all day, every day- we will back you till the end. I have no doubt Laperriere's popularity skyrocketed tonight much in the same way that Rowand's did
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