The Flyers were part of the expansion in 1967 in professional hockey. They were the first team that was not from the original six teams (Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Boston, New York and Chicago) in hockey to win the Stanley Cup. It was during the 1972-73 season the Flyers were labeled The Broad Street Bullies. The nickname was coined by two sports writers from the Philadelphia Bulletin.
Center Bobby Clarke & The Broad Street Bullies
People tried to make up nicknames for the brawling tough guys who muscled teams like Atlanta to reach the championship.They were led by the youngest player Bobby Clarke in NHL history to be named Captain of the team. Rick MacLeish became the first Flyer to score 50 goals in a season. Still they were outmatched by the Montreal Canadians losing in 5 games in the semi-finals. Clarke was awarded the Hart trophy which was hockey’s most prestigious award for a player.
1974-75 Stanley Cup Champions
They continued their rough and tumble ways the next season with Dave (The Hammer) Schultz’s record 348 penalty minutes. They reached the top of the West Division with a 50-16-12 record. They had Bernie Parent in the net who had 47 wins that season (a record that stood for 33 years) making him one of the best goaltenders in the whole league.
The Flyers swept Atlanta this time and went on to face the New York Rangers. With home field advantage they went on to face Boston in the Cup series. The Flyers would beat the Bruins at the Spectrum in Philly for their first Stanley Cup. Parent who shut out Boston in game 6 received the Conn Smythe Trophy for MVP in the series.
In the 74-75 seasons Shultz would set another record for penalty minutes 472 in all. Clarke would win the Hart trophy again and Parent would win the Vezina Trophy for Goaltending. Their record was 51-18-11 that season. In the first round of the playoffs the Flyers swept the Maple Leafs and went on to play the New York Islanders. In the 7th and deciding game the Flyers prevailed and were victorious. They faced Buffalo in the Stanley Cup Finals. Parent had anther shut out and in 6 games the Flyers would repeat as World Champions. Parent would win yet another Conn Smythe Trophy.
1975-76 Stanley Cup Champions
In the 75-76 seasons at the Spectrum the Flyers played a memorable exhibition game for the upcoming Bi-Centennial against the Soviet Red Army Hockey Team. The Flyers rugged style of play had the Soviets walk off the ice only mid way through the first period. They were protesting a hit by Ed Van Impe on star player Valeri Kharlamov.
The Soviet team was warned that if they did not return they would lose their salary for the whole year. The Flyers went on to win easily. After this win on national TV, the Spectrum in Philly would be known as the most intimidating building to play in and the fans would be known as the most intimidating fans to play in front of. The Flyers record was 51-13-16 they set records for goals by a single line (right wing Leach 61, center Clarke 30 and Bill Barber 50 at left wing) of 141 goals
What Made the Flyers So Good
The Flyers making their 3rd straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals were without Parent in the net who was injured. They were swept in 4 games by Montreal. Leach went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy scoring 19 goals in 16 playoff games.
According to Sports writer Sam Carchidi from the Philadelphia Inquirer from an article in Nov 2009, What made the Flyers so good back in 73-74 was their consistency. They started the season with a 4-3 record, then went the rest of the season without losing 2 in a row, except for one time. It was this consistency that made them great along with having the greatest goalie on the planet in Parent. They would grind their opponent out by playing every minute of every period in every game.
Every class bully in the Philly area became the Hammer Dave Shultz.. Every kid with a hockey stick became Bobby Clarke. With this combination of intimidation from the fans and the players along with the great defensive and offensive players that the Flyers had like Clarke, Leach, MacLeish, Barber and Parent. Throw in Kate Smiths rendition of God Bless America. The Flyers were 35-3-1 when they played her singing before every home game at the Spectrum. Finally let’s not forget Fred Shero. He would scribble messages on the locker room blackboard to inspire his players without making a big speech. Before game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup playoffs he wrote his most famous saying.” Win together today and we walk together forever.”
References
The Calgary Herald-from an article-God,Bernie and Marty by George Johnson Mar. 27 2007
The Philadelphia Flyers Alumni. org
Jim Galloway - Professional Musician/Published Songwriter for 30 yrs. With over 200 Articles in Recording/Music Buisness/ Resources/Vintage Instruments
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