Flyers offer free admission, snacks to attract fans during snowstorm

Thursday's constant snowfall and dropping temperatures made conditions for traveling around Philadelphia very difficult for most Flyers fans.

And Mother Nature's wrath left a whole lot of empty seats at Wells Fargo Center for a very important and tough game for the back-in-contention Flyers.

By the opening faceoff, the arena was more than half empty, so quick-thinking management came up with a plan to reward fans who would brave the weather: Free admission!

Use @SEPTA to head down to @WellsFargoCtr & get FREE admission to tonight’s game. Stop by the box office to claim your tickets. #STLvsPHI
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 6, 2015

And then as an added bonus for slogging through the white stuff, the Flyers fed everyone, too, with free pretzels, free hot dogs and free soda refills.

As our way of saying thanks for coming out tonight, enjoy free hot dogs, pretzels, and soda refills! #STLvsPHI pic.twitter.com/FhZWM2uAuX
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 5, 2015

And the freebie offer paid off.

After falling behind in front of the small opening crowd — 12,531 fans ended up showing up, about 9,500 on paid tickets and the other 3,000 getting in for nothing — the Flyers scored three third-period goals to pull out a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues to get to within four points of a playoff spot.

"With weather like that, 12,000 is amazing," defenseman Mark Streit said. "They showed up and supported us, and it was still a good atmosphere when we scored those goals. Great fans always in Philadelphia, and I thought it was a great game to watch."

Snow days aren't just for kids.

Flyers Ice Girls get luke-warm reception for wearing 'sensible' outfits in return (PHOTO)

After much public jeering from Philadelphia Flyers fans when their beloved Ice Girls cleaning crew were replaced by a group of men — who were relentlessly booed between periods during preseason home games earlier this year — the team caved in and brought back the ladies for Thursday's home opener at Wells Fargo Center.

Yet, it's hard to appease those finicky Philly fans.

Flyers fans are still upset over the new look female skaters who now wear long pants on the ice:

Rather than their popular hot pants:

And to top it off, there are only four Ice Girls and twice as many male shovelers during the game stoppages.

It'll be fun to see how the evolving saga of the Ice Girls plays out. But, after dropping to 0-2 after blowing the home opener 6-4 against the Devils, Flyers fans may find other things to focus their energy on.

Anyway, here's the scantily-clad Ice Girls we had come to know and love:

Flyers bringing back 'Ice Girls,' dumping dudes: Report

There was more booing at Wells Fargo Center when the Flyers’ new all-male ice cleaners skated out with shovels during a first-period stoppage of Tuesday night's preseason game.

And then a message on the Jumbotron led to cheers. And no, Sidney Crosby didn't retire.

Bowing to pressure from the fickle fans, the team announced on the scoreboard that the Flyers Ice Girls, who were fired after last season amid reported complaints, would return for the Oct. 9 regular-season home opener against the Devils.

This apparently puts an end to the short-lived all-male sweeper era — although the team will likely mix in a few Ice Dudes with the Ice Girls when the season starts.

A new team of 10 Ice Girls will be hired from a tryout that will be held at noon on Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Flyers Skate Zone practice rink.

It seems the constant booing whenever the ice guys appeared during the Flyers’ first two preseason games led to a change of heart.

“When Flyers fans voice their concerns, we listen, because they are undeniably the most passionate and knowledgeable fans in all of sports,” Flyers COO of Business Operations Shawn Tilger said. 

And Philly fans never boo anything.

Flyers fans boo 'Ice Guys' who replaced 'Ice Girls' at Wells Fargo Center (VIDEO)

The boo-birds were tuned and ready for the Philadelphia Flyers' first preseason game at Wells Fargo Center Monday night. But most of the noise wasn't directed at any skaters during the game — it was for the dudes on the ice during game stoppages.

It became very clear early in the game that the crowd's hostility was reserved for the new all-male ice clearing crew who replaced the "Ice Girls" this season.

Wearing black pants and orange fleece jackets, the 12 young men skated out for their appointed jobs — only to be booed louder than Sidney Crosby until they left the ice — three times in the first period alone.

The change in personnel happened after the Ice Girls were replaced amid reports that they were unhappy with work conditions and pay.

A familiar lament surrounding sports these days.

Meanwhile, in San Jose, the Sharks altered the uniform for their "Ice Crew" this offseason with the girls now in skimpy outfits, while the guys remained in regular track suits. 

That move prompted protest and outrage among Sharks fans who feel the uniforms serve no purpose but to objectify women.

I don't remember any such problems when there was only the asexual Zamboni.