It's the Bears and Philadelphia Phantoms Friday from south Philly in our "last first" game of the year here against the Phantoms. Philadelphia hockey historian Bruce "Scoop" Cooper will join me at first intermission tonight to talk about Spectrum history, and Tim Leone is here to chat with me after two periods.

Congratulations to Mike Thornton, who was named this week Vice President of the Phantoms. Thorny has been an AHL broadcaster for years, good to see one of "us" make it upward in management.

Here are the scratches tonight:

-For Philadelphia: goaltender Michael Teslak, defenseman Jason DeSantis, left wing Garrett Klotz, d-man Patrick Hersley and left wing Jonathan Kalinski. Jean-Sebastian Aubin draws the start in goal for John Paddock's club. Jared Ross remains on recall to the Flyers.

-For Hershey, scratch Michal Neuvirth, defensemen Patrick McNeill, Josh Godfrey, Greg Amadio and Grant McNeill, along with forward Steve Pinizzotto. Simeon Varlamov draws his second AHL start tonight for Bob Woods and Company.

-Announced just moments ago here at the Spectrum: Chris Bourque has been recalled to the Washington Capitals. Good chance from what I understand that he'll play Saturday for the Caps against New Jersey.

One thing we're thankful for tonight: The Phillies have already punched their ticket to the World Series and WON'T play a Game 6 of the NLCS tonight against the Dodgers. Not much traffic down here tonight, just the way we like it.

Sean Collins will play for the first time this season tonight, he'll be paired with Dean Arsene. Andrew Joudrey will move up and play on the left side this evening with Kyle Wilson and Andrew Gordon on the second line.

Bob Woods said on the pregame show with me tonight that Daren Machesney will draw the home opener Saturday night at GIANT Center. No real surprise there.