A Graphic History of Sport by Andrew Janik

Author:Andrew Janik
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony
Published: 2017-02-28T05:00:00+00:00

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Singer Kate Smith became the Bullies’ good luck charm during their reign. The Flyers seemed to win whenever they played her rendition of “God Bless America” before home games. A tradition was born, and Smith was invited several times to sing in person, her animated performances receiving standing ovations from the Philadelphia crowds.

National Hockey League

“THE BROAD STREET BULLIES”

Philadelphia Flyers, 1973–75

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The Philadelphia Flyers of the 1970s were one of the meanest, toughest, most aggressive hockey teams ever assembled. After the team joined the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1967, Flyers ownership quickly realized they needed larger, stronger players to compete. The Flyers built a rogues’ gallery of bruisers, including Dave “the Hammer” Schultz and Bob “Hound Dog” Kelly as the team’s top enforcers, and center Bobby Clark as their best player and captain. The Broad Street Bullies (named for the street of their longtime home arena, the Spectrum) earned their nickname. Schultz set records in back-to-back years for most penalty minutes in a season. Fights and hard checking were the norm, and many opposing players came to fear playing the Flyers, especially in Philadelphia. By overpowering and intimidating their opponents, the Flyers became one of the top teams in the league. They won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1973–74 and 1974–75, the first two and only championships in the franchise’s history.

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