Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia police are looking for a group of Flyers fans who attacked Rangers fans at Geno’s Steaks, a Philly landmark, Monday after the Winter Classic.

The police are seeking help identifying the attackers. One of the Rangers fan, an off-duty Woodbridge, N.J. police officer, who reportedly served in Iraq as a Marine, was taken to the hospital afterward and required stitches.

The New York Daily News has identified him as 30-year-old Neal Auricchio.

Police will no doubt be talking to Edward Neary soon as he bragged on the Facebook page of the Broad Street Hockey blog that he and his friends committed the attack.

According to CBSPhilly.com, a bystander caught the incident on a cell phone video and posted it on YouTube. The graphic video was taken down but police posted an edited version to aid them in identifying the attackers.

CBSPhilly.com reported that police said the attack began with some Flyers fans stopping a windowwasher who was walking by them.

Capt. Laurence Nodiff of the Philadelphia Police Department said, “Gave him a couple bucks and said, ‘Hey go over to those Rangers fans and squirt some water in their faces.’ Apparently, he goes over and squirts some water and they jump up and the guy runs away.”

Police said a verbal argument ensued and then three Flyers fans began beating two Rangers fans.

Flyers fan Bridget Glinski of Ardmore, PA told CBSPhilly.com, “I think it’s terrible. I think it looks really bad on Philadelphia and our fans. Yes, there’s rivalry, but it should never come to that.”

Philadelphia police have asked anyone with information to phone them at 215-686-3013.

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