Flyers Hockey 1974

It was 40 years ago this week the Philadelphia Flyers won their first Stanley Cup in 1974. Their first season in the National Hockey League was 1967-1968. I didn't pay attention to them then. I enlisted in the Navy in December 1969 and shipped out in early 1970. I never paid attention to any hockey during my four years in the service.

However, when I moved into the house on Seymour Street in Germantown in early 1974 with three other guys I was suddenly immersed in a winning season with the Flyers heading for the playoffs.  We had a small black and white TV in the living room that hardly got any use except to watch every hockey game and later also the Phillies games. 

So I sat there with the others and tried to quickly understand hockey. This was the first time I had ever watched any hockey on television and I had a hard time following the puck around the ice. I also had no idea about the rules including being offsides. Everyone was patient with me and I actually think they enjoyed explaining everything to me as it happened which added a new dimension to the game. We spent a lot of time drinking beer and watching hockey. This was the team of Bobby Clarke and Bernie Parent.

The Flyers had developed a particular rough style of hockey for which they were named the "Broad Street Bullies". The fans embraced the nickname. In February and March I was learning about hockey and then the playoffs started in early April after winning their division with a 50-16-12 record. Boston won the other division with a 52-17-9. 

Then I had to learn about playoff hockey. The Flyers first swept the Atlanta Flames 4 games to none. The next series with the New York Rangers went seven games with the Flyers winning the final game 4-3 at home. Meanwhile Boston swept Toronto 4-0 and took the Chicago series 4-2. We watched every game on TV.

Boston was the overwhelming favorite to win the series but Philly stunned the Bruins by winning the series in six games 4-2. Then they hoisted the Stanley Cup on their home ice at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. We had a party.

Then we went downtown for the victory parade. I remember the drive down the expressway in George B's VW with John and me. Somehow we found a place to park and to part in the festivities. It was a lot of fun.

The next season was a little easier for me and then the Flyers repeated their quest for a Stanley Cup by beating the Buffalo Sabres in the finals in 1975. Went to that parade too.