Return to the Delorean: New York Rangers vs The Broad Street Bullies aka The Philadelphia Flyers From April 25, 1974 Review. Fights Galore, The GAG Line, Parent vs Giacomin, Brad Park Dominates, The Underrated Teddy Irvine, Wayne Gretzky’s Favorite Player, Shero vs The Cat & Much More From Game 3 of the 1974 Semifinals

The Goal A Game (GAG) Line, to many, is the greatest line in New York Rangers history. However, to me, I still think the Bread Line (Boucher & the Cooks) were better. That said, it’s always tough to compare eras, but one thing is for sure, both lines are among the best in 90+ years of NY Rangers history.

What’s up everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. After a summer of mostly book reviews, (which some people have complained about since it’s not 100% Rangers related) I’m back with another DELOREAN blog. This time, I take the time machine and travel back to April 25th, 1974, where the New York Rangers are battling the Broadstreet Bullies, also known as the Philadelphia Flyers, in a series where the winner goes to the Stanley Cup Finals.

However, before getting the Delorean from Doc Brown & Marty McFly, let me plug my last few blogs, in case you missed them during this slow summer:

BCBS Blog: One Summer Month Down, One to Go, Latest Ranger Updates, In-Depth “The Game, 30th Anniversary Edition” by Ken Dryden Book Review, USA > Sweden, Lundqvist’s New Pads, Andersson & Staal, Adidas/Reebok/CCM Confusion, Jagr Watch, Dealing with Basement Trolls, Donald Trump & Are the Rangers Done Making Roster Moves?!


The New York Rangers & Mika Zibanejad Play Nice and Come To Terms, Latest Chirping From the Rangers Rumor Mill, My Phone Conversation with a New York Rangers Team Representative, Jagr Watch & An In-Depth “Blood Feud: Detroit Red Wings v. Colorado Avalanche” by Adrian Dater Book Review!


In-Depth Tie Domi “Shift Work” Book Review & Tons of New York Rangers Thoughts & Opinions: Shattenkirk’s First NYR Press Conference, Polishing The Turd Known as the Nassau Coliseum, No Love For Tanner Glass, Thank You Kevin Klein, The Ruff vs AV Storyline Begins, Jagr Watch, The 2013-2014 Rangers, MSG Networks & Much More


The DeLorean Blog: Reviewing & Recapping Game 5 of the 1979 Semifinals Between the New York Rangers & New York Islanders As If The Internet Existed In 1979. Hedberg The Hero! The Hockey Sock Rock Delivers! JD Goes Nuts! POTVIN SUCKS! Duguay Dashes, ONE MORE WIN FROM THE SCF, MSG Networks vs YES & Much More In This Comprehensive Game Review! Plus: Thoughts on Current NHL Contract Extensions & Signings


New York Rangers Free Agency Day One Recap: Kevin Shattenkirk Does The Unthinkable & Puts His Heart Above Money; Signs a Team-Friendly Deal To The Delight of Rangerstown, Get Me That 22 Adidas Rangers Jersey Now, The Tears of Larry Brooks, Rangers Sign The Weakest Goalie on the Market, What’s Next & More


Before starting, I’d also like to thank Mike Jurkowski once again, for hooking me up with a huge batch of DVDs, featuring all these classic games.

In this game, the Rangers are the home team and the underdog in this series, as the Flyers were the top seed in the “West” division. Yes, the West division, as after the great expansion of 1967 (and with four other teams eventually joining the league) the East division consisted of primarily Original 6 teams, with only Chicago playing in the West. For the Flyers, they were looking to be the first expansion team to not only beat an Original 6 team in a playoff series, but to win the ultimate prize – The Stanley Cup. Unfortunately for Ranger fans, the Broad Street Bullies would eventually do both.

I really had a fun time going back and watching a playoff game, from 1979, between the NY Islanders and NY Rangers. You can read that blog in the plugs above. If you haven’t read that blog yet, what are you waiting for? It was one of my favorite blogs to write. With that said, I’m going to emulate the same writing style for this blog, meaning I’m treating this game as if I’m recapping it in the present day.

For those who were alive on 4/25/74 & want to take a trip down memory lane, I got you covered. For those who weren’t alive, I got you covered too. Something really stood out to me as I was working on this blog, and it was something that author Eric Zweig said in his Art Ross biography. (Review of that book coming soon.) For whatever reason, hockey does a horrible job promoting its history when compared to the other major sports. I’m sure it’s different in Canada, but here in the US, hockey history barely registers on the radar.

To expand on what hockey author Zweig said, if he did a book on Ted Williams, rather than Art Ross, his book would’ve been green-lit right away. If Ross played baseball, there would be dozens upon dozens of books on him. However, hockey – the feeling is meh, it won’t sell.

I really despise the disconnect that many people today have with history. While the literacy rate is at an all-time high, because people who wouldn’t normally read have learned to read because of social media/the internet, what people are reading as opposed to years ago, is kinda sad. Not too many people read books anymore. More people are concerned about reading (and clicking videos) on whatever is on WorldStarHipHop, TMZ or other clickbait websites. Even these blogs, the longest of its kind, get lost in the shuffle because people don’t have long attention spans anymore.

Think about it – people can’t even watch TV anymore without chiming in their thoughts on social media about what they are watching. Hey – I’m just as guilty, although I try to offset that by reading books on all topics.

The Rangers are perhaps the worst franchise when it comes to promoting their history. There are no “Ranger Classics” outside of 1994 stuff on the MSG network. There is no series with historian (who is under their employ) Stan Fischler, talking about Ranger legends, akin to the Yankeeographies on YES. Books aren’t promoted. The Rangers even ignore the players & coaches from their first three Cup winning teams. I will still never comprehend how Frank Boucher gets shunned by the Rangers & MSG. It really is a travesty.

There I go again on another tangent! Anyway, to bring you to the right frame of mind, let me give you the world in April of 1974:

Richard Nixon was the President of the US in 1974. He would eventually resign the office in August of 1974. He had to deal with a media who didn’t like him either. The more things change, the more they stay the same…

From ThePeopleHistory.com:

Cost of Living 1974

How Much things cost in 1974
Yearly Inflation Rate USA 11.3%
Yearly Inflation Rate UK 17.2%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 616
Average Cost of new house $34,900.00
Below are some Prices for UK guides in Pounds Sterling
Average House Price 10,990
Gallon of Petrol 0.42
A few More Examples
Cost of a gallon of Gas 55 cents
Average cost new car$3,750.00
Samsonite Case $62.00
Average Income per year $13,900.00
Average Monthly Rent $185.00

After the swearing in of Vice President Gerald Ford to the Presidency & the Ford pardon of Nixon, one of the biggest sporting events of all time took place, in the “Rumble in the Jungle”. For those unaware, here’s the deets:

  • On October 30th, 1974 the much hyped boxing match between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali for Ali to regain his heavyweight title takes place in Kinshasa, Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo).
More Information and Timeline for the Rumble in the Jungle
1. Muhammad Ali, a legendary boxer considered to be the greatest of all time by many, was stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing the Vietnam war draft in 1967. He was also banned from boxing for several years.
2. Muhammad Ali and the current heavyweight champion at the time, George Foreman, agreed to fight for the title in 1974.
3. The former champion would face off against Foreman, a twenty-five year old undefeated champion for a five million dollar purse in a boxing match to be held in Kinshasa, Zaire. Promoter Don King labeled the fight the “Rumble in the Jungle.”
5. Ali’s strategy was to let Foreman hit him until he was too tired and then Ali would come at him with a series of quick punches until he won by a knockout, a technique labeled by Ali’s trainer as the “Rope-a-Dope.”
6. Ali defeated Foreman by knockout in the eighth round of the boxing match, becoming only the second former heavyweight champion to regain his title.

In the entertainment world, here are your Top 10 Songs, in the USA, on 4/25/1974:

 

 

Related image
20+ years later, Glen Gilberti, known as the “Disco Inferno” would make quite a career in pro wrestling parodying the disco era.

Not for nothing, but I prefer “Bennie & the Jets” over “The Sound of Philadelphia”, any day of the week! However, this was the height of the disco era in America.

And since I went on my reading rant before – “Carrie” by Stephen King was also released in 1974. You may have heard of it!

The Broadstreet Bullies, who lost this game, but would win the series & the next 2 Stanley Cups, were one of the most famous teams in hockey history. However, as Ken Dryden accurately predicted in 1979, the team would never sniff another Cup, as the style caught up to them.

While the Filthadelphia Flyers are considered one of Rangers biggest rivals, (I would put the Islanders, Devils & the Penguins, with the latter by just a hair, above the Flyer rivalry), in 1974, the Flyers weren’t even 10 years old yet. Part of the 1967 NHL expansion, the Flyers would use brute force and sheer physical dominance to muscle their way to consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 1974 and 1975. The team was led by Wayne Gretzky’s hero and childhood favorite, Bobby Clarke, who many consider the greatest Flyer of all time. In net was another all-time great, in Bernie Parent.

Where many teams relied on speed and defense to win games, the Flyers relied on viciousness. It was common for most teams, in the seventies, to carry one or two enforcers on the team. The Flyers during this era, had anywhere from 6-8. Even Bobby Clarke would fight. The most notorious bully of them all was Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, who just did not give a fuck! For modern fans, he was the Bob Probert, the Tie Domi, etc, of his time. You mess with the Clarke, you got the Hammer!

Behind the bench for the Flyers was the legendary drunk, Fred “The Fog” Shero, who ironically coached the Rangers to a Stanley Cup Finals just 5 years later. (Check out my NYR/NYI 1979 blog & “Thin Ice” book review for more on him.) For Shero, this time of his life would be the highlight of his coaching career.

For the Rangers, who were coming off a Stanley Cup loss two years prior, to the Bobby Orr & Phil Esposito led Boston Bruins, the Rangers were looking to return to the Cup, after being eliminated, 4-1, in a best of 7 series, in the semi-final round a year before, to the Chicago Blackhawks.

In net for the Rangers was the legendary Eddie Giacomin, who by the time of his retirement, would retire as the greatest Ranger goalie of all time. Depending on what era you grew up with, many believe that Mike Richter & Henrik Lundqvist have since surpassed him for the top spot as the greatest goalie in Rangers history.

It’s a shame that Cam Talbot isn’t to the right of Mike Richter. Photo Credit: GettyImages.

With the Goal a Game line being the most dominating line in Rangers history since the 1930’s, these Rangers also featured one of the best defensemen ever to wear a Rangers jersey, in Brad Park. As many know, Park (and Ratelle of the GAG line) would eventually be traded to Boston for Esposito & Vadnais. Neither the Bruins or the Rangers would win a Cup after the trade, although many feel the Bruins won this swap.

As we enter Game 3, here on April 25, 1974, the Flyers have a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, winning Game 1, 4-0 and winning Game 2, 5-2. For the Rangers, while it isn’t literally a “MUST-WIN” game, for the Garden faithful, it’s a do or die game of epic proportions.

Flyers. Rangers. Game 3, here we go…..

Can you imagine Sports Illustrated featuring hockey on its cover today? Photo Credit: SI

(NOTE: I’m doing this review as if I’m living in 1974, in the same style that I do my reviews of today.)

What’s up everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Tonight, I’ll be looking at Game 3 of this semi-finals match-up between the Rangers and the Flyers. Going into this game, I was extremely nervous, with the Rangers in an 0-2 hole, but as a result of a 5-3 victory tonight, the Rangers have given themselves (and fans) some breathing room for a Game 4 at MSG in three days.

My stomach was in knots Wednesday night as I went to bed. As a result, I banged out sick. I didn’t think operating a crane with my mind elsewhere was a good idea anyway. That said, after spending time at “Charley O’s”, before and after the game, I don’t think I’ll be going to work tomorrow either! I’m glad I have some sick time built up!

For those who have been living under a rock, let me give you the rosters for Game 3, as both Flyers coach Fred Shero and Rangers coach Emile Francis, made some moves:

(Credit: Hockey-Reference.com)

For the visiting team, the Flyers:

Scoring Goals
Rk Player G A PTS +/- PIM EV PP SH GW S S% SHFT TOI
1 Barry Ashbee 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
2 Bill Barber 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
3 Tom Bladon 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Bobby Clarke 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
5 Terry Crisp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Gary Dornhoefer 1 0 1 -1 5 0 1 0 0 1 100.0
7 Andre Dupont 1 0 1 0 14 1 0 0 0 2 50.0
8 Bill Flett 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.0
9 Bob Kelly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
10 Orest Kindrachuk 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Ross Lonsberry 0 1 1 -1 10 0 0 0 0 0
12 Rick MacLeish 1 0 1 -1 7 0 1 0 0 3 33.3
13 Don Saleski 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 2 0.0
14 Dave Schultz 0 0 0 -1 31 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
15 Ed Van Impe 0 0 0 -1 4 0 0 0 0 0
16 Jimmy Watson 0 0 0 -1 2 0 0 0 0 0
17 Joe Watson 0 0 0 -1 4 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 3 4 7 81 15 20.0
Rk Player DEC GA SA SV SV% SO PIM TOI
1 Bernie Parent L 5 39 34 .872 0 0 59:13

 

For our beloved NY Rangers:

Rk Player G A PTS +/- PIM EV PP SH GW S S% SHFT TOI
1 Jerry Butler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 Bill Fairbairn 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 50.0
3 Rod Gilbert 1 2 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 4 25.0
4 Vic Hadfield 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 25.0
5 Ron Harris 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
6 Ted Irvine 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.0
7 Bruce MacGregor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
8 Jim Neilson 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
9 Brad Park 1 0 1 1 12 0 1 0 1 3 33.3
10 Jean Ratelle 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
11 Dale Rolfe 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 3 0.0
12 Bobby Rousseau 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.0
13 Rod Seiling 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 3 0.0
14 Pete Stemkowski 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 6 0.0
15 Walt Tkaczuk 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.0
16 Steve Vickers 1 0 1 1 5 0 1 0 0 4 25.0
Rk Player DEC GA SA SV SV% SO PIM TOI
1 Ed Giacomin W 3 15 12 .800 0 0 59:59

 


NOTE: I just found out you can watch this full game on Youtube, if you’re interested.
Before getting into the meat and potatoes of this game, here’s the official box score from the Hockey-Reference.com daily:

Scoring Summary:

1st Period
06:57 PHI PP  —  Rick MacLeish (8) Bobby Clarke
12:20 PHI Andre Dupont (2) Bobby Clarke
14:28 NYR Bill Fairbairn (2) Walt Tkaczuk
2nd Period
11:33 PHI PP  —  Gary Dornhoefer (3) Ross Lonsberry and Tom Bladon
13:57 NYR PP  —  Steve Vickers (2) Bill Fairbairn and Walt Tkaczuk
18:44 NYR Vic Hadfield (1) Rod Gilbert
3rd Period
08:53 NYR PP  —  Brad Park (3) Rod Gilbert and Ted Irvine
13:14 NYR Rod Gilbert (2) Ted Irvine and Dale Rolfe

Penalty Summary (and there were a ton of them!)

1st Period
02:37 PHI Dave Schultz: Misconduct — 10 min
02:37 PHI Dave Schultz: Charging — 2 min
02:37 PHI Dave Schultz: Roughing — 2 min
02:37 NYR Brad Park: Fighting — 5 min
02:37 PHI Dave Schultz: Fighting — 5 min
05:50 NYR Pete Stemkowski: Hooking — 2 min
06:21 PHI Don Saleski: Roughing — 2 min
06:21 NYR Rod Seiling: Roughing — 2 min
16:33 PHI Don Saleski: Holding — 2 min
19:55 PHI Andre Dupont: Cross checking — 2 min
2nd Period
01:20 PHI Ed Van Impe: Tripping — 2 min
10:55 NYR Dale Rolfe: Holding — 2 min
13:52 PHI Joe Watson: Holding — 2 min
3rd Period
07:11 PHI Jimmy Watson: Holding — 2 min
09:57 PHI Joe Watson: Slashing — 2 min
10:22 NYR Rod Gilbert: Hooking — 2 min
14:03 PHI Gary Dornhoefer: Fighting — 5 min
14:03 NYR Steve Vickers: Fighting — 5 min
14:03 PHI Ross Lonsberry: Game misconduct — 10 min
14:28 PHI Andre Dupont: Roughing — 2 min
14:28 PHI Andre Dupont: Misconduct — 10 min
14:28 NYR Ron Harris: Delay of game — 2 min
14:28 PHI Dave Schultz: Misconduct — 10 min
14:28 PHI Dave Schultz: Delay of game — 2 min
14:57 PHI Rick MacLeish: High sticking — 2 min
14:57 PHI Rick MacLeish: Fighting — 5 min
14:57 NYR Brad Park: High sticking — 2 min
14:57 NYR Brad Park: Fighting — 5 min
15:12 PHI Ed Van Impe: High sticking — 2 min
There was no love lost between Brad Park and Rick Macleish. Photo Credit: Melchior DiGiacomo of Getty Images. And what a pristine photo it is!

I was so excited about the Rangers winning this game, that I was able to get home in time, to see a replay of the game on the telly. Unfortunately, the replay is the Flyers broadcast. That damn UHF signal. I had to deal with the Flyer announcers! I gotta say though, while nothing beats hockey live, the quality of this broadcast was much better than I expected. That said, there should still be a running clock on the screen at all times.

The first period started off with some back and forth, before Dave Schultz pounded the crap out of Brad Park. I give Park credit for drawing the penalty and taking the wrath of Schultz, but damn, Schultz made short work of number 2.

It’s amazing for all the penalties Schultz took at this point of the game, only 2:37 in, that he didn’t get kicked out of the game. That’s the playoffs I guess. The Garden booed the crap out of this, while the Flyers broadcast made sure to zoom in close and promoted how you could buy Flyer Stanley Cup tickets. HEY, THIS SERIES ISN’T OVER YET!

As a result of Schultz taking 19 minutes of penalties, the Rangers received a four minute powerplay. We know how Ranger powerplays go. FIRE ARNIEL, I mean, put the Rangers PP on the milk carton!

With Schultz out of the game for the first period, it gave the Rangers more room to create, but they would eventually go down 2-1 in the period.

By the way, check out this video I took on my camcorder. This new Mustang looks pretty cool:

 

To this day, it amazes me how much time the puck stays in the Rangers defensive zone during a PP. At least the crowd lets the Rangers hear it. I’m hoping that the PP eventually improves. It has to improve sometime right?

Anyone else find it weird, with the Yankees in NY and the Phillies in Philadelphia, that it’s the Rangers who have their names on the back of their jerseys, while the Flyers do not?

Stop me if you heard this before – the Rangers kill their own PP, when Stemmer hooks Bobby Clarke, putting the Flyers on a PP. Pete Stemkowski, who won a Cup during the Leaf’s last Cup run in 1967, should hopefully help these Rangers bring a Cup back to NY. It’s only been 34 years!

I thought Teddy Irvine looked strong defensively in the first period. By the way, I heard his son Chris is talking now. That’s exciting for any parent. I wonder if Chris Irvine will wind up a Ranger one day? If he’s anything like his father, I don’t see him wrestling against Bruno in MSG any time soon!

This first period, which was extremely chippy, saw two more penalties after Stemmer was sent to the sin bin, as Saleski & Seiling took off-setting penalties for roughing.

I really wonder if these Flyer vs Ranger games will always be this physical as time moves on? I know the Flyers were going for the kill in this game, as they look to be the first expansion team to beat an Original 6 team in the playoffs, while the Rangers are fighting for their playoff lives.

The Flyers struck first with MacLeish scoring a PPG from his fucking knees. Giacomin has to stop that. That goal allowed looked like something a Swedish goaltender would give up:

I know Stemkowski was pissed about being in the box during the goal. He lives by me, in Long Beach, NY. He seems to be really fan friendly. I could see him giving back to the team once he retires.

This Flyers broadcast really likes their “Tasty Kakes”. I guess it beats plugging a shitty pizza joint.

At this point in the first, with the Flyers up 1-0, you could see the Flyers get their cock-of-the-walk swagger. Big credit to Brad Park, for doing what he could, to match the neanderthals wearing the orange jerseys.

I don’t know how many more times I can watch Big Walt miss open shots in front of the net or shoot right at the logo on the jersey of the goalie.

With Chicago and Boston playing their game 3, I got a real good feeling that we’ll have another Original 6 Stanley Cup this year, especially after this big Rangers win!

I know this goes without saying, but I’m giddy as I do this review, while watching the replay, but how fast is the GAG line on TV? However, you have to see them live, to see how fast they really move!

The second goal of the game is too ugly to post, but here it is:

 

 

 

What are you doing Rolfe? How are you scared of Bobby Clarke you fucking mangina!?!? Seriously, if the Rangers lost this game by one goal because of that play, I would’ve thrown up my Ballantines.

With under 8 minutes to go, 2-0 bad guys. It was around this time that the fans were brawling in the crowd. Credit to the TV announcers for talking about it, and not shying away from it. Supposedly, security was increased by 25% for this game, as NYPD was littered throughout MSG.

I can’t lie, down 2-0, frustration in the stands, Flyers beating up on the Rangers, Parent playing well – I felt sick.

However, after a routine save by Parent, a face off was in the Rangers offensive zone. Big Walt won the draw and Billy Fairbairn, who is starting to get a beer belly like me, blasted a slapper from the point. 2-1 bad guys. However, this is how you beat Parent:

 

And really, once Fairbairn scored, the Garden finally exhaled and the Rangers stepped up their game a bit. However, that defenseman in the number 5 jersey, in Rolfe, looked lost.

With the Rangers fighting off a Flyer attack, Eddie Giacomin wasn’t having any of this Philly shit anymore. Check out Giacomin putting the game into his own hands:

 

Somehow, the Rangers got a PP out of this play and as usual, they didn’t do anything with it. They did have many chances though. Even the Flyer announcers talked about the slow Rangers PP during the playoffs.

With the Rangers PP expiring and the Flyers choking on a two on one in front of Eddie, the teams skated to 2-1 first period. However, Dupont took a dumb penalty, with 5 seconds left in the period, allowing the Rangers to start the second period on a powerplay.

As the Rangers entered the second period, they needed Eddie to step up a bit, especially after a bad goal allowed and Rolfe failing him in the first. Photo Credit: HHOF

As I sit here during intermission, while watching the replay on TV, I still gotta wonder – how hard is it to add a running clock to the broadcast? I mean, we see a running clock during Dick Clark’s New Year Eve specials!

The Rangers started the second period on the PP. Guess what? No goal scored! Gilbert almost made a go of it though and Parent did make a big save as the PP expired. No wonder why Parent is the best goalie in the league, with a 1.89 GAA.

While Bobby Clarke is the pride of Manitoba, you gotta figure he’s a role model and a favorite of many Canadian kids around Canada. Even for kids in other provinces, such as say, an Ontario.

Most of the second period saw back and forth hockey, with the Rangers getting more shots off on Parent than the Flyers had on Giacomin. In fact, Parent would have nearly triple the saves Giacomin had when the game was over.

Of course, as mentioned before, we were peppered with Tasty Kake commercials, such as this one:

 

 

I gotta say, this Betty White girl is golden.

It’s worth mentioning, after a crazy first period of penalities, the game did slow down a bit in that department, here in the second. It would pick up tremendously in the third.

Rolfe, who was a mess all game, took a holding penalty, halfway through this second period.

Of course, another Rolfe gaffe led to another Flyer goal, this time off the stick off of number 7, Gary Dornhoefer, who was left all alone on Eddie’s doorstep. 3-1 bad guys. Even worse, Dornhoefer looks like a fucking hippie. It was asshole clench time for Ranger fans at this point in the game.

Luckily for the Rangers, Joe Watson would take a holding penalty for the Flyers, which would lead to the first Rangers PPG of the game! Take a look at Vickers making this a one goal game again:

 

For the Rangers, it was their second goal off a faceoff. It was an easy tap-in goal for Steve Vickers that Parent had no chance at. It was also during this time, that there was brawling in the crowd between Ranger and Flyer fans. 3-2 bad guys.

In what was perhaps the turning point of the game, the GAG lived up to their name, as Vic Hadfield made magic at MSG:

 

3-3 tie, as we head to the third period.

Emile “The Cat” Francis, according to my time machine, will be releasing a new book about the Rangers in the Fall of 2017. Photo Credit: HHOF

Like many of you, at 3-3, with 20 minutes to go, I was extremely nervous. One Cup in the last 34 years will do that to a man. The Flyers, who weren’t playing their best, were still tied with the come-from-behind Rangers. However, the Rangers would make this a series again, as Eddie G. & the Rangers defense stopped the Flyers, while the offense would go on to pot two goals.

The Flyers would get extremely frustrated in this period, which could be a tell-tale sign. If you scroll up and read the box score, you can see the Flyers reverted to their first period ways, taking a TON of penalties. Shero’s Filthadelphia trash were hot and bothered. If there is a way to beat these so called “Broad Street Bullies”, the key is to score early and let the Flyers undiscipline lead to their demise.

Teddy Irvine, number 27, who doesn’t get much buzz from Ranger fans, was kind of the unsung hero in this period, even adding two assists to his name. I wouldn’t mind seeing a book from him when he eventually retires. Speaking of books – did you see the new Frank Boucher book that was just released? Talk about a Rangers legend. Even though Gilbert wears his number 7, I’m sure the Rangers will retire Boucher’s 7 one day. I mean, Boucher is an old man now, so it’s got to get done sooner than later.

While the Rangers would go on to win, I gotta say, I was very impressed with Bernie Parent. I just wonder if the Rangers can keep getting good looks at him, as the series go on? It’s not like he’s a weak Swedish goalie or anything.

I gotta say, not just because the Rangers added two goals to win the game, but this third period was fucking electric. The crowd also picked up the intensity big time.

With the game creeping towards 10 minutes left, it was a fun walk in the Park, when Park gave the Rangers their first lead of the series:

 

Brad Park was a beast in this game. I can’t see the Rangers ever trading a defenseman wearing number 2.

With the Rangers having the 4-3 (good guys) lead, the Flyers looked desperate, like a 18 year old virgin on prom night. They were gumming up the works all over the place.

The Rangers would add an insurance goal, with another member of the GAG line, Rod Gilbert, adding a goal, making it 5-3 good guys. From there, the game just fell apart, as the Flyers spent more time trying to bully and fight the Rangers, than score goals. At this point, the game was lost.

Here’s Gilbert’s goal:

 

Now that is one pretty fucking goal!

You could really tell, with the fight after Gilbert’s goal, the Flyers had the fork stuck in them.

I gotta say, with the Flyers done, it was just funny seeing Fred Shero with sunglasses on, presumably to hide his drunken glassy eyes, while chewing gum to freshen up his beer breath.

And really, I can’t put over enough how great Brad Park was in this game. From fighting, taking on the Flyer tough guys and scoring goals, Park was the fucking man. Also, it was very wise for Gilbert to leave the ice when the Flyers were trying to goad him and get dirty.

With the Flyers dropping gloves and sticks out of frustration, it was great to hear the Garden roar with “WE WANT THE CUP!” It’s only been 34 years. 1974 is our year!

It’s really a shame that none of the Flyers were suspended for Game 4. I know the Flyer broadcast was promoting boxing fights and that’s what it turned into after Gilbert’s goal.

Give it up for the crazy BLUESHIRT fans – they were pelting Bernie Parent with all various debris during all the downtime due to the Flyers aggravation with losing. NYPD may have not agreed with the sentiment, as several fans were escorted out of MSG. As a result of all the nastiness, Dupont and Schultz were tossed. Too bad they weren’t suspended!

The best part about all this – the Flyer broadcasters crying like a kid who had his ice cream fall off his cone onto the hot sizzling pavement. WAAAAAAA!

As a result of all the nonsense, the Rangers basically closed the game with a two goal lead and on a 4 vs 3 PP, with 24 minutes of penalties called. (17 min Flyers – 7 min Rangers.)

Of course, right after this, MacLeish picked a fight with Brad Park and Park obliged and kicked MacLeish’s ass. FUCK YOU PHILLY!

Seriously – how does the NHL condone all this? The best team in the West loses and they act like cunts? The NHL needs to really hand down suspensions or this type of behavior is encouraged and condoned. The Flyers looked very bushleague and for the NHL to allow an upset team to ruin & delay a game, just shows that the NHL doesn’t give two shits about player safety.

Not for nothing, instead of throwing out unruly Ranger fans, the NYPD should’ve focused on this Flyer trash.

It’s funny – with the Flyers giving up with all their dumb penalties, Shero still pulled Parent, in an attempt to get some scoring. A little too late for that, motherfucker!

At the end of the day, 5-3, good guys, as the Rangers ruffle the tampons of the Flyers. Game 4 is this Sunday at 2PM at MSG, and if tonight was any indication, I expect blood and ferociousness. Until that game, I leave you with this:

LET’S GO RANGERS!


While Teddy Irvine was a star in his own right, who would’ve known that his son, Chris Jericho, would be an even bigger star? Photo Credit: Yahoo.com

And now back to 2017…

I gotta thank Mike Jurkowski once again. He’s a long time reader of this blog and when he saw my interest in history/knowledge, he contacted me. We’ve traded a ton of emails and he picked out a selection of games that he thought I would enjoy. He’s 2 for 2 so far!

While the Rangers have won both of these “old school” games that I’ve reviewed, I’ve really enjoyed watching these games. It’s not just because the Rangers won. In each game, the victory meant something and the game was exciting to watch. The intensity and drive in these games are off the charts.

If you follow me on twitter, know me in real life, or just follow this blog, you know that I love history and respecting the people that paved the way. While I’m a devout fan of the Rangers, I also enjoy the history of the NHL and professional hockey in general. The Broad Street Bullies have always interested me, just because of all the stuff I’ve read. It was cool watching this game because they lived up to their reputation – they were fucking assholes! However, if I was a Flyer fan, I would’ve loved this too!

It was also fun to watch Bobby Clarke play, as I’ve always read and heard so much about him. This was the first time I’ve ever seen him play 60 minutes.

While each generation of a franchise is independent of another, you can really look at this series as the genesis of the bad blood between the Flyers & Rangers today. Even last season, we saw a vicious hatred for the Flyers, during the McDonagh/Simmonds incident.

As much as this might sound like a snowflake thing to say – to this day, as a Ranger (and definitely a Giant) fan, going to Philly, as a fan of the visiting NY team, puts a big target on your back. You better be able to defend yourself. To me, it’s somewhat vintage, because it’s a true rivalry. However, and yes, I know this makes me sound soft, I really hate this too. I love the avid fanaticism between the fanbases, but really, at the end of the day, we’re all Americans. We should use that hatred for Muslims, the Islanders and Scientologists!

By now, you know I love American history. Philly is a great city for that. However, to be nice, their sports teams suck dick. Even when the Phillies won the World Series, what happened the next year? The Yankees showed those bitches what’s up. The Eagles have never won a Superbowl, while the Flyers have been the Rangers doormat for some time. I really don’t think there is a Knicks/76ers rivalry, considering how pathetic both franchises have been over the years.

It is sad, that to this day, people take these rivalries too seriously, where five years ago,  23 Flyer fans jumped 2 Ranger fans, one fan being a cop, who received a Purple Heart in the military. If you don’t remember the story, check out this link: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Rangers-Flyers-Fight-Winter-Classic-Woodbridge-NJ-Police-Officer-Iraq-War-Veteran-136706328.html

While I don’t mind taking shit, I can never support fans of different fan bases getting physical with each other. That’s not me being a pussy, that’s me being realistic. After all – do you think any of these millionaire athletes fight over your job? Do you think Wayne Simmonds and Rick Nash are going to fight over your job? The worst is that most of these fights are between grown adults who should know better. Talking shit and breaking balls is one thing, to ruin someone’s day and risk arrest over sports is something else.

I will always hate the Flyers, but I would never throw a punch at MSG at a Flyer fan, no matter how obnoxious that fan may be. After all, I want to keep my job & not be in jail too! Plus, once you get past the age of 17, when you hit someone, your hand hurts! Who wants to risk a broken hand over millionaires who don’t give two shits about you? Plus, most of these athletes play together on national teams  and are friendly with one another!

That said, I love the rivalries in sports, enjoy watching the games, enjoy talking about it, but to get so invested that I’m risking my finances and freedom – not worth it!

I will say, I really enjoyed watching this game, in particular, for many reasons. Watching the GAG line, even out of their prime, was fun. Watching one of the most storied teams in NHL history, the Broad Street Bullies, was eye-opening. Watching two great goalies, in Parent and Giacomin was a blast. I was also happy that the quality of this DVD was actually pretty good, and was light years better than the 1979 NYR/NYI game that I reviewed. Granted, this game was a “Flyers Classic”, as opposed to the shitty TV coverage of 1979. The production for this classic game was night and day, compared to the 1979 game I previously reviewed.

The NHL game has changed so much in 40 years, that it’s even questionable if Shultz would be in the league today. Photo Credit: Philadelphia Magazine.

As I said in my Rangers/Islanders 1979 blog, I gotta repeat this again: I never know who is reading this. One day, it turned out that a relative of Frank Boucher found this site. In that same vain, I’ll put this out there – if anyone has the 1940 Rangers vs Toronto Cup Finals games on DVD, like Charlie Sheen & sex, I’ll pay for it. I’ve seen clips, but never an unedited full length game from that series.

I really hope you enjoyed this flashblack blog. The 1979 blog did great traffic for this site and I got a lot of good feedback on it. I know many said the book reviews weren’t their thing, but I’m trying to educate you motherfuckers. Crack open a book!

I understand that people come to this site for Rangers stuff, but to me, it’s always fun learning about other things too. That said, this game was a fucking blast to watch. I’m glad the copy I got was of high quality for that time, so it was easy to watch, as opposed to watching grainy footage.

I’ll be back later this week with an Art Ross book review. After that, who knows? I’m still waiting for the Rangers to finally sign Jagr! I do have books on Bernie Parent and “Slapshot” sitting on my shelf that I would like to read & review before all the new fall releases come out. Maybe I’ll sneak in another game review too, because before we know it, the 2017-2018 hockey season will be here and I’ll be complaining about Lundswiss before you can say boo!

As always, thanks for reading and….

“LET’S GO RANGERS”

Sean McCaffrey

BULLSMC@aol.com

@NYCTHEMIC on the tweet tweet

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4 thoughts on “Return to the Delorean: New York Rangers vs The Broad Street Bullies aka The Philadelphia Flyers From April 25, 1974 Review. Fights Galore, The GAG Line, Parent vs Giacomin, Brad Park Dominates, The Underrated Teddy Irvine, Wayne Gretzky’s Favorite Player, Shero vs The Cat & Much More From Game 3 of the 1974 Semifinals

  1. So happy to hear you give respect to #2 Brad Park. He is the reason I became a life long Rangers fan in the first place. My childhood hero. I love when he is remembered amid the present day phenom frenzy. Some guys just bring their heart. Park was very talented but his greatest asset was his heart. “Play The Man”.

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