Anyone who watches Flyers games knows the personality of announcer Steve Coates. He has been with the Flyers since 1982 and has done Coatsey’s Corner since 1999. He is a man with great hockey knowledge, and a big sense of humor.

Thursday night, the joke was on him.

A couple weeks ago Coates (who does commentary down on the ice) suffered a minor injury when a stick came up and clipped him on the forehead. There was a little blood shed, but Coates, as all hockey men should do, stayed in and finished the game.

Tonight, when Coates appeared during the first period of the Flyers game against the Thrashers, he was looking a little different. He was wearing a helmet

Coates was clearly not happy about it but said he had been told that the NHL had new rules for ice level reporters to keep them from any injuries. He said the helmet was too big, too hot, and kept him from seeing things properly. Jim Jackson and Keith Jones played their roles perfectly, picking on him every chance he got.

Just before the start of the second period it was revealed to Coates that he had been “punked” and it was all a big joke.

The announcers, including Coates had a good laugh as the joke had been perfectly executed.

Unfortunately the fun stopped there.

The Flyers blew a 3-1 third-period lead, falling to the Thrashers, 4-3, and dropping to 7^th in the Eastern Conference Standings.