Nick Piccone
I’m not sure when the “WOO!”-ing began at Flyers games, but I got my first taste of it on Tuesday night when I went to the Flyers-Bruins game at the Wells Fargo Center. I had heard about it before, especially on Twitter. I chuckled, and thought it was harmless fun.
Well, you’re not allowed to have harmless fun at Flyers games, apparently. Yesterday, the flood gates opened when some Flyers players and their coach completely said that all the “WOO!”-ing during the games has become a distraction. I’d argue, actually, that the Flyers’ play on the ice has had the fans looking for some way to support their team despite their underachieving performance this season, and the “WOO!” caught on. And now we’re here.
Granted, the players were asked the question and they answered it. Honestly, yesterday wasn’t the greatest day I ever had, so when I saw that, it just put the icing on the cake for me. I had some time to release some steam and step back and take a look at this objectively to make sure I didn’t come off as someone who didn’t understand both sides of the argument.
And I get it. I get why people think it’s annoying.
Here’s a little “note” from Tim Panaccio’s Flyers’ roundup post from yesterday.
Even though he started a “wooing” chant recently after a Flyers goal, even rookie Travis Konecny says the incessant Ric Flair chants from fans at the Wells Fargo Center have become distracting.
Veteran Flyer Jakub Voracek was very vocal in his dislike for it.
“It’s childish and annoying and it’s really starting to piss me off,” Voracek said. “The first period they are (bleeping) wooing. What are you? (Bleeping) 10 years old?”
Hakstol was not pleased, either.
“Let’s hope it’s a short-lived fad,” he said.
Sorry you feel that way, Travis, Jake and Dave. In fact, Konecny’s the one who WOOed (!) Sunday night during the game against the Calgary Flames after a scuffle ensued.
WOO! #FLYERSTALK pic.twitter.com/gCh5oFj4Ol
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) November 28, 2016
Now it’s distracting? Maybe they’re WOOing to distract the other team? Ah, too complex.
But that’s not the point of it. I was at the game Tuesday night, so my sample size is small, but there’s no way those, um, chants(?) should have distracted any player unless someone ran down onto the ice and began “WOO!”-ing in the players’ ears. Look, I get it. That can be annoying, especially when someone right next to you or behind you is doing it. So, I empathize with those people who don’t like someone screaming in their ear. I don’t like it, either. But that’s not what I heard on Tuesday night. I heard the “WOO!” followed by a few more and by the end of ten seconds, all was done.
In fact, a lot of times it happened during television timeouts or downtime in between whistles. Sure, it happened a few times per period, but it’s hardly the epidemic that it’s been accused of being. The Flyers coughed up a 2-0 lead in the third period Tuesday night and probably should’ve lost the game. They got thoroughly outplayed, and that should not even in the slightest be attributed to the “WOO!”
Let’s be honest here, though. If the Flyers’ beats didn’t find it annoying, Flyers players never would’ve been asked about it. Now that both sides apparently share the same views, look out for the Twitterstorm during games when the “WOO!”-ing increases.
I’m not really sure how they’re distracting. Someone help me out here. How is “WOO!” any different than “LET’S GO FLYERS!” or “SHOOOOOT!” when they’re on the power play and have the puck. I’d argue that’s more distracting while the team is actually trying to set up a play to get the best scoring chance. That’s way more egregious than the “WOO!” and maybe the players and coach should come out against that, as well. And, yep, it’s way more annoying than the “WOO!”
And, just to make sure I’m completely transparent here, I am the pro wrestling contributor for PhillyVoice.com. I do like wrestling and I grew up watching it. Ric Flair is the man. Plain and simple. Everyone knows him, whether they like wrestling or not. So I’m not “adopting this opinion” because I like wrestling. “WOO!” is harmless and not even supposed to be a BOO against the home team. Our good friend John Barchard summed it up perfectly:
“I’ll take ‘woos’ over ‘boos’ any day of the week”
HOW HARD IS THAT TO SAY
— John Barchard (@JohnBarchard) November 30, 2016
What’s so hard about just saying that? I get it. I enjoy when the players speak their minds. It gives us stuff to write about and discuss. But in Voracek’s words, he really seems passionately against the “WOO!” So, how about he just come out and say the same thing when the fans are yelling, “SHOOT!” because as a fan – and even though I’m not a player, I’m sure most would agree – that is way more distracting.
Don’t stop WOO-ing, Flyers fans.