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1973–74 Philadelphia Flyers season

NHL hockey team season (won Stanley Cup) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1973–74 Philadelphia Flyers season was the franchise's seventh season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup. Prior to this season, no post-1967 expansion team had either beaten an Original Six team in a playoff round or won a Stanley Cup Final game.

Division1st West
1973–74 record50–16–12
Home record28–6–5
Road record22–10–7
Quick facts Philadelphia Flyers, Division ...
1973–74 Philadelphia Flyers
Stanley Cup champions
West Division champions
Division1st West
1973–74 record50–16–12
Home record28–6–5
Road record22–10–7
Goals for273 (5th)
Goals against164 (1st)
Team information
General managerKeith Allen
CoachFred Shero
CaptainBobby Clarke
Alternate captainsTerry Crisp
Gary Dornhoefer
Joe Watson
ArenaSpectrum
Average attendance17,007[1]
Minor league affiliatesRichmond Robins
San Diego Gulls
Team leaders
GoalsBobby Clarke (35)
AssistsBobby Clarke (52)
PointsBobby Clarke (87)
Penalty minutesDave Schultz (348)
Plus/minusBarry Ashbee (+52)
WinsBernie Parent (47)
Goals against averageBernie Parent (1.89)
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Goaltender Bernie Parent, an "Original Flyer", returned to the franchise in the off-season, and the Flyers proved that the expansion teams could challenge the Original Six in 1973–74. The Bullies continued their rough-and-tumble ways, led by Dave Schultz's 348 penalty minutes, and reached the top of the West Division with a record of 50–16–12. The return of Parent proved to be of great benefit as he established himself as one of if not the best goaltender in the league by winning 47 games, a record which stood for 33 years. Since the Flyers, along with Chicago, allowed the fewest goals in the league, Parent also shared the Vezina Trophy with Chicago's Tony Esposito.

Come playoff time, the Flyers swept the Atlanta Flames in four games in the first round. In the semifinals, the Flyers faced the New York Rangers. The series, which saw the home team win every game, went seven games. The Flyers had home-ice advantage as they advanced to the 1974 Stanley Cup Final by winning game seven. Their opponent, Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins, took game one in Boston, but Bobby Clarke scored an overtime goal in game two to even the series. The Flyers won games three and four at home to take a 3–1 series lead, but Boston won game five to stave off elimination. That set the stage for game six at the Spectrum. The Flyers picked up the lead early when Rick MacLeish scored a first-period goal. Late in the game, Orr hauled down Clarke on a breakaway, a penalty which assured the Flyers of victory. Time expired as the Flyers brought the Stanley Cup to Philadelphia for the first time. Parent, having shut out Boston in game six, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Playoff MVP.

Regular season

In addition to leading the team in penalty minutes, Dave Schultz was one of five 20 goal scorers on the Flyers.

The 1973–74 season opened on October 11, 1973, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This was the first time Kate Smith performed "God Bless America" in person at a Flyers' game. The Flyers started strong to begin the season winning their first four games and only allowing their opponents to score three goals total while they netted 18. The Flyers were 29–11–6 heading into the All Star Game, scoring 154 goals, while allowing 93. The Flyers were represented in the All Star Game by Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent, Ed Van Impe and Joe Watson. The Flyers finished 1st in the Western Division, seven points ahead of the second place Chicago Black Hawks.

The team was led offensively by Bobby Clarke, who led the team in goals with 35, assists with 52 and points with 87. He finished fifth among scoring leader in points. Clarke was named a 2nd Team All Stars along with defenseman Barry Ashbee. Clarke was followed by Bill Barber in goals (34), and by Rick MacLeish both in assists (45) and in points (77).

In net, the Flyers were led by goaltender Bernie Parent, who went 47–13–12, posted a 1.89 goals against average (136 goals against on 2038 shots) and 12 shutouts. Parent's 47 wins was a record until Martin Brodeur won 48 games in the 2006–07 NHL season. It remains the record for most regulation wins by a goaltender in a single season as several of Brodeur's wins came in overtime and the shootout, neither of which existed in the 1970s.[2] Parent was a co-winner of the Vezina Trophy, which was awarded at the time to any goaltenders who played 25 or more games for the team allowing the fewest goals against, with Black Hawks' goaltender Tony Esposito.

Season standings

More information GP, W ...
West Division[3]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1Philadelphia Flyers78501612273164+109112
2Chicago Black Hawks78411423272164+108105
3Los Angeles Kings78333312233231+278
4Atlanta Flames78303414214238−2474
5Pittsburgh Penguins7828419242273−3165
6St. Louis Blues78264012206248−4264
7Minnesota North Stars78233817235275−4063
8California Golden Seals78135510195342−14736
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Record vs. opponents

More information NHL records, Team ...
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Playoffs

The Flyers opened the post season against the 4th place Atlanta Flames. The Flyers swept the Atlanta Flames in four games with a combined score of 17–6. Rick MacLeish led the Flyers with four goals during the series. He scored a natural hat-trick in game two.

The Flyers headed into a grueling semifinals match up against the New York Rangers, who had won the regular season series 2–1–2. The series opened up in Philadelphia at the Spectrum with the Flyers shutting out the Rangers 4–0 in game one and taking game two 5–2. The series switched back to New York and the Rangers would take game three 5–3 and game four in overtime 2–1. The Flyers won game five at home 4–1. With the Rangers on the verge of defeat in game six the Rangers won 4–1. In game seven Gary Dornhoefer scored the game-winning goal with 10:59 left in the third. Rick MacLeish again led the Flyers in scoring in this series with seven goals. The home team was the winner of every game in the series.

This set up a Stanley Cup Final matchup against the Boston Bruins, who won the season series 3–1–1. The series opened in Boston at the Boston Garden with Boston winning game one, 3–2 and the Flyers winning game two, 3–2 in overtime on a Bobby Clarke goal. The series moved to Philadelphia where the Flyers won game three, 4–1 and game four, 4–2. The series returned to Boston and Bruins won game five, 5–1. The series returned to Philadelphia for game six. Kate Smith performed "God Bless America" to a sell out crowd of 17,007 prior to the game. The Flyers won their first Stanley Cup on the lone goal of the game by Rick MacLeish in the first period. With seconds left on the Clock Gene Hart, the Flyers play-by-play announcer, made his famous call "Ladies and gentlemen, the Flyers are going to win the Stanley Cup. The Flyers win the Stanley Cup. The Flyers win the Stanley Cup. The Flyers have won the Stanley Cup!". Bernie Parent was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
1973–74 regular season[5]
October: 6–3–0 (home: 3–1–0; road: 3–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
1October 112–0Toronto Maple LeafsParent17,0071–0–02W
2October 136–0@ New York IslandersParent13,0572–0–04W
3October 145–2Detroit Red WingsParent17,0073–0–06W
4October 175–1@ California Golden SealsParent4,6794–0–08W
5October 191–2@ Vancouver CanucksParent15,5704–1–08L
6October 200–3@ Los Angeles KingsParent11,7344–2–08L
7October 250–4Montreal CanadiensParent17,0074–3–08L
8October 276–0@ Pittsburgh PenguinsParent11,2175–3–010W
9October 282–1California Golden SealsParent17,0076–3–012W
November: 7–3–2 (home: 3–2–1; road: 4–1–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
10November 11–0Chicago Black HawksParent17,0077–3–014W
11November 31–2Atlanta FlamesParent17,0077–4–014L
12November 47–0Pittsburgh PenguinsParent17,0078–4–016W
13November 74–1@ Detroit Red WingsParent12,5099–4–018W
14November 82–3Los Angeles KingsParent17,0079–5–018L
15November 114–3St. Louis BluesParent17,00710–5–020W
16November 145–4@ Los Angeles KingsParent10,04511–5–022W
17November 162–1@ California Golden SealsParent6,51112–5–024W
18November 172–2@ Vancouver CanucksParent15,57012–5–125T
19November 222–4@ Boston BruinsTaylor15,00312–6–125L
20November 241–0@ St. Louis BluesParent19,27413–6–127W
21November 292–2New York RangersParent17,00713–6–228T
December: 8–2–2 (home: 4–1–1; road: 4–1–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
22December 12–1@ New York IslandersParent14,86514–6–230W
23December 25–1California Golden SealsParent17,00715–6–232W
24December 83–1@ Toronto Maple LeafsParent16,48516–6–234W
25December 93–3Boston BruinsParent17,00716–6–335T
26December 122–2@ Chicago Black HawksParent11,00016–6–436T
27December 152–3Atlanta FlamesParent17,00716–7–436L
28December 164–0New York IslandersParent17,00717–7–438W
29December 209–3Vancouver CanucksParent17,00718–7–440W
30December 224–2Chicago Black HawksParent17,00719–7–442W
31December 261–2@ New York RangersParent17,50019–8–442L
32December 294–1@ St. Louis BluesParent10,26520–8–444W
33December 305–4@ Buffalo SabresParent15,85821–8–446W
January: 9–3–2 (home: 6–1–0; road: 3–2–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
34January 34–2New York RangersParent17,00722–8–448W
35January 53–3@ Minnesota North StarsParent15,29622–8–549T
36January 71–2@ Montreal CanadiensParent19,04022–9–549L
37January 107–4Minnesota North StarsParent17,00723–9–551W
38January 117–6@ Atlanta FlamesTaylor5,14124–9–553W
39January 131–0Atlanta FlamesParent17,00725–9–555W
40January 177–2Buffalo SabresParent17,00726–9–557W
41January 192–0Los Angeles KingsParent17,00727–9–559W
42January 203–5Pittsburgh PenguinsParent17,00727–10–559L
43January 223–2@ Vancouver CanucksTaylor15,57028–10–561W
44January 244–4@ Los Angeles KingsParent14,34328–10–662T
45January 255–0@ California Golden SealsParent10,77629–10–664W
46January 273–5@ Boston BruinsTaylor15,00329–11–664L
47January 314–3Buffalo SabresParent17,00730–11–666W
February: 5–3–4 (home: 3–0–2; road: 2–3–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
48February 212–2Detroit Red WingsParent17,00731–11–668W
49February 32–2@ Atlanta FlamesParent14,12331–11–769T
50February 75–4Pittsburgh PenguinsParent17,00732–11–771W
51February 93–5@ Boston BruinsParent15,00332–12–771L
52February 103–1Montreal CanadiensParent17,00733–12–773W
53February 133–1@ Toronto Maple LeafsParent16,48534–12–775W
54February 144–4New York RangersParent17,00734–12–876T
55February 172–2@ Montreal CanadiensParent17,75734–12–977T
56February 203–1@ Detroit Red WingsParent15,12835–12–979W
57February 231–3@ Chicago Black HawksParent16,66635–13–979L
58February 242–3@ New York RangersParent17,50035–14–979L
59February 282–2Minnesota North StarsParent17,00735–14–1080T
March: 12–1–2 (home: 8–1–1; road: 4–0–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
60March 24–2Buffalo SabresParent17,00736–14–1082W
61March 36–0Montreal CanadiensParent17,00737–14–1084W
62March 76–1Detroit Red WingsParent17,00738–14–1086W
63March 92–1@ Toronto Maple LeafsParent16,48539–14–1088W
64March 104–3@ Buffalo SabresParent15,85840–14–1090W
65March 122–1@ New York IslandersParent14,86541–14–1092W
66March 144–2St. Louis BluesParent17,00742–14–1094W
67March 164–2@ Minnesota North StarsParent15,45043–14–1096W
68March 172–2Toronto Maple LeafsParent17,00743–14–1197T
69March 213–1Vancouver CanucksParent17,00744–14–1199W
70March 231–3Chicago Black HawksParent17,00744–15–1199L
71March 244–1St. Louis BluesParent17,00745–15–11101W
72March 276–2@ St. Louis BluesParent18,44346–15–11103W
73March 283–3@ Atlanta FlamesParent15,14146–15–12104T
74March 305–3Boston BruinsParent17,00747–15–12106W
April: 3–1–0 (home: 2–0–0; road: 1–1–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
75April 26–3@ Minnesota North StarsTaylor15,11048–15–12108W
76April 44–0New York IslandersParent17,00749–15–12110W
77April 61–6@ Pittsburgh PenguinsTaylor13,36849–16–12110L
78April 76–2Minnesota North StarsParent17,00750–16–12112W

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point)

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Playoffs

More information 1974 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
1974 Stanley Cup playoffs[5]
Quarterfinals vs. Atlanta Flames – Flyers win 4–0
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 94–1Atlanta FlamesParent17,007Flyers lead 1–0W
2April 115–1Atlanta FlamesParent17,007Flyers lead 2–0W
3April 124–1@ Atlanta FlamesParent15,141Flyers lead 3–0W
4April 144–3 OT@ Atlanta FlamesParent15,141Flyers win 4–0W
Semifinals vs. New York Rangers – Flyers win 4–3
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 204–0New York RangersParent17,007Flyers lead 1–0W
2April 235–2New York RangersParent17,007Flyers lead 2–0W
3April 253–5@ New York RangersParent17,500Flyers lead 2–1L
4April 281–2 OT@ New York RangersParent17,500Series tied 2–2L
5April 304–1New York RangersParent17,007Flyers lead 3–2W
6May 21–4@ New York RangersParent17,500Series tied 3–3L
7May 54–3New York RangersParent17,007Flyers win 4–3W
Stanley Cup Final vs. Boston Bruins – Flyers win 4–2
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1May 72–3@ Boston BruinsParent15,003Bruins lead 1–0L
2May 93–2 OT@ Boston BruinsParent15,003Series tied 1–1W
3May 124–1Boston BruinsParent17,007Flyers lead 2–1W
4May 144–2Boston BruinsParent17,007Flyers lead 3–1W
5May 161–5@ Boston BruinsParent15,003Flyers lead 3–2L
6May 191–0Boston BruinsParent17,007Flyers win 4–2W

Legend: W Win L Loss

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Player statistics

Scoring

More information No., Player ...
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
16Bobby ClarkeC77355287351131751116142
19Rick MacLeishC7832457721421713922020
7Bill BarberLW75343569345417369218
18Ross LonsberryLW753219511648174911018
12Gary DornhoeferRW5711395013125145611543
21Bill FlettRW67172744205117066321
26Orest KindrachukC71113041198517549817
11Don SaleskiRW771525402113117279924
8Dave SchultzLW7320163626348172464139
17Simon NoletRW5219173628131511204
3Tom BladonD701222342437164610325
15Terry CrispC7110213112281722434
6Andre DupontD75320233421616437567
20Jimmy WatsonD7421820334417123141
2Ed Van ImpeD77216183111917123241
14Joe WatsonD7411718283417145824
10Bill ClementC3998171534410124
4Barry AshbeeD69413175252600052
9Bob KellyLW6541014101305000011
1Bernie ParentG7303324170004
5Serge LajeunesseD100000——————
25Al MacAdamRW5000−201000−10
30Bobby TaylorG700012——————
27Bruce CowickLW——————8000−19
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Goaltending

= Indicates league leader
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP GS W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP GS W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
1Bernie Parent737347131220061361.89.932124,3071717125524352.02.93321,039
30Bobby Taylor75330203264.26.8720366——————————
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)		 Conn Smythe Trophy Bernie Parent [6]
Jack Adams Award Fred Shero [7]
Lester B. Pearson Award Bobby Clarke [8]
NHL first All-Star team Bernie Parent (Goaltender) [9]
NHL second All-Star team Barry Ashbee (Defense) [9]
Bobby Clarke (Center)
Vezina Trophy Bernie Parent[a] [10]
League
(in-season)		 NHL All-Star Game selection Bobby Clarke [11]
Bernie Parent
Ed Van Impe
Joe Watson
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Records

See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers records

Goaltender Bernie Parent set a number of still-standing franchise records in his first season after being re-acquired. Parent set the high marks for games played by a goaltender (73), wins (47, which stood as the NHL record for 33 years), shutouts (12), minutes played (4,307), and save percentage (.932).[12][13][14][15][16] Likewise, the team as a whole set franchise marks for fewest goals allowed (164) and shutouts (13).[17][18] Parent also set two streak records. From October 11 through January 10, Parent started 37 consecutive games.[19] During that time, he won 23 games. He also won six consecutive playoff games from April 9 to April 23.[20]

Among other players, Bobby Clarke became the first Flyer to score two shorthanded goals in a single game on March 28, a mark which has been tied but not exceeded five times since.[21] Dave Schultz's 139 penalty minutes during the playoffs is a franchise high.[22] Other playoff single year highs include Tom Bladon's three powerplay goals by a defenseman and Rick MacLeish's four game-winning goals, both of which have been subsequently tied twice.[23][24] The team's nine wins at home during the playoffs is tied for the franchise high.[17]

Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Al MacAdam October 11, 1973 [25]
Bruce Cowick May 2, 1974 [26]
25th shutout Bernie Parent March 3, 1974 [27]
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Franchise firsts

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
30-win season, goaltender Bernie Parent February 10, 1974 [28]
40-win season, goaltender Bernie Parent March 16, 1974 [28]
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Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 11, 1973, the day after the deciding game of the 1973 Stanley Cup Final, through May 19, 1974, the day of the deciding game of the 1974 Stanley Cup Final.[29]

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
Date Details Ref
May 14, 1973 (1973-05-14) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Detroit Red Wings
[30]
May 15, 1973 (1973-05-15) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Toronto Maple Leafs
  • 1st-round pick in 1973
  • Future considerations[b]
 [33]
May 1973 (1973-05) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Portland Buckaroos (WHL)
  • cash
 [34][35]
May 25, 1973 (1973-05-25) To Philadelphia Flyers
To San Diego Gulls (WHL)
[36]
May 30, 1973 (1973-05-30) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • cash
 To Toronto Maple Leafs
[37]
November 1, 1973 (1973-11-01) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Detroit Red Wings
[38]
November 30, 1973 (1973-11-30) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • Ray Schultz
 To St. Louis Blues
[39]
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Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer teamViaRef
June 1973 (1973-06) Steve CoatesMichigan Tech University (WCHA)Free agency[40]
July 31, 1973 (1973-07-31) Mark BousquetAmerican International College (ECAC 2)Free agency[41]
September 1973 (1973-09) Mike BolandOttawa Nationals (WHA)Free agency[42]
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew teamViaRef
September 12, 1973 (1973-09-12) Wayne HillmanCleveland Crusaders (WHA)Free agency[43]
October 30, 1973 (1973-10-30) George SwarbrickAtlanta FlamesFree agency[44]
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTermRef
June 5, 1973 (1973-06-05) Mike Clarke[45]
Dale Cook[45]
Bruce Cowickmulti-year[45]
Larry Goodenough[45]
Michel Latreille[45]
Brent Levins[45]
Bob Stumpf[45]
June 12, 1973 (1973-06-12) Orest Kindrachukmulti-year[46]
June 22, 1973 (1973-06-22) Bernie Parentmulti-year[31]
July 31, 1973 (1973-07-31) Tom Young[41]
Don O'Donahue[41]
August 20, 1973 (1973-08-20) Doug Ferguson3-year[47]
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Draft picks

See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1973 NHL amateur draft, which was held at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal on May 15, 1973.[48]

More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (league) Notes
2 20 Larry Goodenough Defense  Canada London Knights (OHA) [c]
26 Brent Leavins Left wing  Canada Swift Current Broncos (WCHL)
3 40 Bob Stumpf Right wing  Canada New Westminster Bruins (WCHL) [d]
42 Mike Clarke Center  Canada Calgary Centennials (WCHL)
4 58 Dale Cook Left wing  Canada Victoria Cougars (WCHL)
5 74 Michel Latreille Defense  Canada Montreal Red White and Blue (QMJHL)
6 90 Doug Ferguson Defense  Canada Hamilton Red Wings (OHA)
7 106 Tom Young Forward  Canada Sudbury Wolves (OHA)
8 122 Norm Barnes Defense  Canada Michigan State University (CCHA)
9 137 Dan O'Donohue Defense  Canada Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHA)
10 153 Brian Dick Right wing  Canada Winnipeg Jets (WCHL)
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Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Richmond Robins of the AHL[50] and the San Diego Gulls of the WHL.[51] Rene Drolet led the Robins with 73 points and Richmond finished 4th in their division and lost in five games to the Baltimore Clippers in the first round of the playoffs.[52] San Diego finished third in the six-team WHL's final season in existence. The Gulls also ceased operations once the Jersey Knights of the WHA moved to San Diego and became the San Diego Mariners.

Notes

  1. [a]
    Co-winner with Chicago Black Hawks' Tony Esposito
  2. [b]
    If Parent signed with the Flyers the Maple Leafs would receive their choice of goaltender Doug Favell or additional draft picks. Parent was signed on June 22[31] and the Maple Leafs chose Favell on July 27.[32]
  3. [c]
    The Flyers first-round pick, 10th overall, was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with future considerations (Doug Favell) for Bernie Parent and Toronto's second-round pick, 20th overall, on May 15, 1973.[49]
  4. [d]
    The Flyers traded Brent Hughes and Pierre Plante to the St. Louis Blues for Andre Dupont and St. Louis' third-round pick, 40th overall, on December 14, 1972.[49]

References

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