1975–76 Philadelphia Flyers season

NHL hockey team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1975–76 Philadelphia Flyers season was the franchise's ninth season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year, but they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in a four-game sweep.

Division1st Patrick
Conference1st Campbell
1975–76 record51–13–16
Home record36–2–2
Quick facts Philadelphia Flyers, Division ...
1975–76 Philadelphia Flyers
Campbell Conference champions
Patrick Division champions
Division1st Patrick
Conference1st Campbell
1975–76 record51–13–16
Home record36–2–2
Road record15–11–14
Goals for348 (1st)
Goals against209 (3rd)
Team information
General managerKeith Allen
CoachFred Shero
CaptainBobby Clarke
Alternate captainsNone[a]
ArenaSpectrum
Average attendance17,077[1]
Minor league affiliatesRichmond Robins
Philadelphia Firebirds
Team leaders
GoalsReggie Leach (61)
AssistsBobby Clarke (89)
PointsBobby Clarke (119)
Penalty minutesDave Schultz (307)
Plus/minusBobby Clarke (+83)
WinsWayne Stephenson (40)
Goals against averageGary Inness (1.51)
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Regular season

The Flyers recorded the best record in team history (points wise) with a record of 51–13–16 in 1975–76. They also tied the record set by the 1929–30 Boston Bruins for most consecutive home ice wins, with 20.[b] The 1975–76 Flyers continue to hold the all-time records for most regulation wins at home[c] The LCB line, featuring Reggie Leach at right-wing, Bobby Clarke at center, and Bill Barber at left-wing, set an NHL record for goals by a single line with 141 (Leach 61, Clarke 30, Barber 50). Clarke, on his way to a third Hart Trophy, set a club record for points in one season with 119.

The highlight of the season had no bearing on the season standings. On January 11 at the Spectrum, the Flyers, as part of the Super Series '76, played a memorable exhibition game against the Soviet Union's dominant Central Red Army team. As the Bullies had put intimidation to good use the past three years, the Flyers' rugged style of play led the Soviets to leave the ice midway through the first period, protesting a hit by Ed Van Impe on Valeri Kharlamov (whom Clarke had slashed on the ankle in the famous Summit Series '72). After some delay, the Soviets returned after they were warned that they would lose their salary for the entire series. The Flyers went on to win the game rather easily, 4–1, and were the only team to defeat the Red Army outright in the series. Head coach Fred Shero would proclaim, "Yes we are world champions. If they had won, they would have been world champions. We beat the hell out of a machine."[7]

Season standings

More information GP, W ...
Patrick Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Philadelphia Flyers80511316348209118
New York Islanders80422117297190101
Atlanta Flames8035331226223782
New York Rangers802942926233367
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[8]

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Record vs. opponents

More information Patrick Division record vs. opponents, NHL records ...
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Playoffs

Heading into the playoffs, the Flyers squeaked past Toronto in seven games and defeated Boston in five games, game five featuring a five-goal outburst by Leach, the Riverton Rifle, to head to a third straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. However, the Flyers didn't come close to a third straight championship, as they ran into an up-and-coming dynasty in Montreal, and were swept in four straight games. Despite the loss, Leach was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for scoring 19 goals in 16 playoff games.

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
1975–76 regular season[10]
October: 7–1–2, 16 points (home: 5–0–0; road: 2–1–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
1October 95–4Washington CapitalsStephenson1–0–02W
2October 119–5@ Minnesota North StarsStephenson2–0–04W
3October 124–1California Golden SealsStephenson3–0–06W
4October 163–2St. Louis BluesStephenson4–0–08W
5October 182–2@ Montreal CanadiensStephenson4–0–19T
6October 195–1Detroit Red WingsStephenson5–0–111W
7October 230–3@ New York IslandersStephenson5–1–111L
8October 254–4@ Pittsburgh PenguinsStephenson5–1–212T
9October 267–2@ New York RangersStephenson6–1–214W
10October 306–2Toronto Maple LeafsStephenson7–1–216W
November: 9–2–4, 22 points (home: 8–1–2; road: 1–1–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
11November 18–1Boston BruinsStephenson8–1–218W
12November 210–0Kansas City ScoutsStephenson9–1–220W
13November 54–4@ Chicago Black HawksStephenson9–1–321T
14November 61–1Los Angeles KingsStephenson9–1–422T
15November 83–4New York IslandersStephenson9–2–422L
16November 96–4Pittsburgh PenguinsStephenson10–2–424W
17November 123–1@ Buffalo SabresStephenson11–2–426W
18November 135–5Chicago Black HawksStephenson11–2–527T
19November 151–3@ Detroit Red WingsStephenson11–3–527L
20November 163–1Montreal CanadiensStephenson12–3–529W
21November 203–2California Golden SealsStephenson13–3–531W
22November 224–2New York RangersStephenson14–3–533W
23November 267–3Atlanta FlamesStephenson15–3–535W
24November 291–1@ Toronto Maple LeafsStephenson15–3–636T
25November 305–3Vancouver CanucksStephenson16–3–638W
December: 6–3–2, 14 points (home: 3–1–0; road: 3–2–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
26December 45–2Chicago Black HawksStephenson17–3–640W
27December 62–7@ St. Louis BluesStephenson17–4–640L
28December 76–1Minnesota North StarsStephenson18–4–642W
29December 101–1@ California Golden SealsStephenson18–4–743T
30December 136–4@ Los Angeles KingsStephenson19–4–745W
31December 174–2@ Chicago Black HawksStephenson20–4–747W
32December 197–5@ Washington CapitalsStephenson21–4–749W
33December 218–3St. Louis BluesStephenson22–4–751W
34December 232–2@ Atlanta FlamesStephenson22–4–852T
35December 282–4Boston BruinsStephenson22–5–852L
36December 302–6@ New York IslandersStephenson22–6–852L
January: 8–4–2, 18 points (home: 4–0–0; road: 4–4–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
37January 14–2@ Kansas City ScoutsTaylor23–6–854W
38January 38–4@ Pittsburgh PenguinsTaylor24–6–856W
39January 45–3New York IslandersStephenson25–6–858W
40January 77–3@ Toronto Maple LeafsStephenson26–6–860W
41January 86–4Los Angeles KingsStephenson27–6–862W
[a]January 114–1HC CSKA MoscowStephensonW[11]
42January 154–1Pittsburgh PenguinsStephenson28–6–864W
43January 177–1@ Kansas City ScoutsTaylor29–6–866W
44January 180–2@ Chicago Black HawksStephenson29–7–866L
45January 227–2Atlanta FlamesStephenson30–7–868W
46January 243–5@ Montreal CanadiensStephenson30–8–868L
47January 253–5@ Boston BruinsStephenson30–9–868L
48January 274–8@ Atlanta FlamesTaylor30–10–868L
49January 291–1@ Buffalo SabresStephenson30–10–969T
50January 313–3@ Minnesota North StarsStephenson30–10–1070T

Notes:
a The final game of the Super Series '76 exhibitions between eight NHL teams and two teams from the Soviet Championship League.

February: 10–0–4, 24 points (home: 7–0–1; road: 3–0–3)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
51February 56–1Vancouver CanucksStephenson31–10–1072W
52February 78–2St. Louis BluesStephenson32–10–1074W
53February 84–2New York IslandersStephenson33–10–1076W
54February 126–1New York RangersStephenson34–10–1078W
55February 135–3@ New York RangersStephenson35–10–1080W
56February 152–1Montreal CanadiensStephenson36–10–1082W
57February 172–2Vancouver CanucksStephenson36–10–1183T
58February 186–4@ Vancouver CanucksStephenson37–10–1185W
59February 205–4@ California Golden SealsStephenson38–10–1187W
60February 213–3@ Los Angeles KingsStephenson38–10–1288T
61February 245–5@ Washington CapitalsParent38–10–1389T
62February 263–2Minnesota North StarsStephenson39–10–1391W
63February 282–2@ St. Louis BluesStephenson39–10–1492T
64February 296–1California Golden SealsStephenson40–10–1494W
March: 9–2–2, 20 points (home: 7–0–0; road: 2–2–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
65March 46–1@ Kansas City ScoutsParent41–10–1496W
66March 66–1Detroit Red WingsStephenson42–10–1498W
67March 74–1Kansas City ScoutsParent43–10–14100W
68March 116–1Buffalo SabresStephenson44–10–14102W
69March 146–1Atlanta FlamesParent45–10–14104W
70March 164–2@ Atlanta FlamesParent46–10–14106W
71March 183–2Vancouver CanucksStephenson47–10–14108W
72March 202–4@ Detroit Red WingsParent47–11–14108L
73March 214–2Toronto Maple LeafsParent48–11–14110W
74March 233–3@ Minnesota North StarsStephenson48–11–15111T
75March 254–1New York RangersInness49–11–15113W
76March 274–4@ Boston BruinsParent49–11–16114T
77March 291–5@ New York IslandersStephenson49–12–16114L
April: 2–1–0, 4 points (home: 2–1–0; road: 0–0–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
78April 111–2Washington CapitalsInness50–12–16116W
79April 35–2Buffalo SabresParent51–12–16118W
80April 40–2@ New York RangersParent51–13–16118L

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

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Playoffs

More information 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
1976 Stanley Cup playoffs[10]
Quarterfinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Flyers win 4–3
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionSeriesRecap
1April 124–1Toronto Maple LeafsParentFlyers lead 1–0W
2April 133–1Toronto Maple LeafsParentFlyers lead 2–0W
3April 154–5@ Toronto Maple LeafsParentFlyers lead 2–1L
4April 172–4@ Toronto Maple LeafsParentSeries tied 2–2L
5April 207–1Toronto Maple LeafsParentFlyers lead 3–2W
6April 225–8@ Toronto Maple LeafsParentSeries tied 3–3L
7April 257–3Toronto Maple LeafsParentFlyers win 4–3W
Semifinals vs. Boston Bruins – Flyers win 4–1
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionSeriesRecap
1April 272–4Boston BruinsParentBruins lead 1–0L
2April 292–1 OTBoston BruinsStephensonSeries tied 1–1W
3May 25–2@ Boston BruinsStephensonFlyers lead 2–1W
4May 44–2@ Boston BruinsStephensonFlyers lead 3–1W
5May 66–3Boston BruinsStephensonFlyers win 4–1W
Stanley Cup Final vs. Montreal Canadiens – Canadiens win 4–0
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionSeriesRecap
1May 93–4@ Montreal CanadiensStephensonCanadiens lead 1–0L
2May 111–2@ Montreal CanadiensStephensonCanadiens lead 2–0L
3May 132–3Montreal CanadiensStephensonCanadiens lead 3–0L
4May 163–5Montreal CanadiensStephensonCanadiens win 4–0L

Legend: W Win L Loss

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Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
16Bobby ClarkeC7630891198313616214161128
7Bill BarberLW80506211274104166713918
27Reggie LeachRW8061309173411619524148
26Orest KindrachukC762649753210116471134
12Gary DornhoeferRW742835631412816347043
10Mel BridgmanC802327502286166814131
11Don SaleskiRW782126473368166511847
18Ross LonsberryLW80192847298716437−32
19Rick MacLeishC51222345616
5Larry GoodenoughD77834424583163111486
3Tom BladonD80142337456816268214
6Andre DupontD759273640214152241446
20Jimmy WatsonD7923436656616189116
8Dave SchultzLW711319322430716224790
14Joe WatsonD7822224562816112−110
9Bob KellyLW7912820312516022144
15Terry CrispC3869156281005542
2Ed Van ImpeD400881660
29Jack McIlhargeyD571231120515033541
21Larry WrightC210110
17Paul HolmgrenRW100002
30Gary InnessG20000
33Jerome MrazekG10000
25Terry MurrayD300002601120
1Bernie ParentG11000280000
21Bob SiroisRW100000
35Wayne StephensonG660001180000
30Bobby TaylorG40002
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Goaltending

  • = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
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
35Wayne Stephenson666440101417741642.58.90813,8118844228222.69.9040491
1Bernie Parent1110622259242.35.90706148844250273.40.8920477
30Bobby Taylor44310125153.75.8800240
30Gary Inness222006031.51.9500120
33Jerome Mrazek10000219.55.50006
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)
Conn Smythe Trophy Reggie Leach [12]
Hart Memorial Trophy Bobby Clarke [13]
NHL first All-Star team Bill Barber (Left wing) [14]
Bobby Clarke (Center)
NHL second All-Star team Reggie Leach (Right wing) [14]
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selection Bill Barber [15][16]
Bobby Clarke[d]
André Dupont
Reggie Leach
Rick MacLeish[d]
Fred Shero (coach)
Wayne Stephenson
Jim Watson
Team Barry Ashbee Trophy Jim Watson [17]
Miscellaneous Lionel Conacher Award Bobby Clarke [18]
Lou Marsh Trophy Bobby Clarke [19]
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Records

The LCB line of Reggie Leach, Bobby Clarke, and Bill Barber set a number of franchise records during the 1975–76 season. The trios combined totals of 141 goals and 322 points is the most by one Flyers line.[20] Leach became the first Flyer to score 60 goals in a season, setting the high mark of 61.[21] Clarke's 89 assists on the season tied his franchise record from the previous season and his 1.17 assists per game average is a franchise high.[22][23] Clarke was one of two Flyers to set a record franchise streak, going twelve consecutive games with an assist from March 11 to April 3.[24] The other was goaltender Wayne Stephenson's 14-game home winning streak from January 4 to March 18.[25] Barber's 380 shots on goal set a franchise single season high.[23] The team as a whole set the single season franchise records for most home wins (36, tied for the NHL record), fewest home losses (2), most points (118), and best points percentage (.738).[26][27][28] Their 20 consecutive home wins from January 4 to April 3 is also a franchise record.[29] During their April 1 game against the Washington Capitals, the Flyers recorded a franchise single game high 62 shots on goal.[30]

The Flyers set a number of franchise records during their quarterfinal series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. During game three on April 15, the team recorded 30 penalties and 107 penalty minutes, including 17 penalties during the second period, all franchise playoffs highs.[31][32][33] In game six on April 22, enforcer Dave Schultz set an NHL record with 42 penalty minutes in a single playoff game.[34] Tom Bladon and Leach also combined to score the two fastest goals in only eight seconds during the second period.[35] During the second period of game seven three days later, the Flyers scored five goals and set the team playoff records for the fastest three goals (1:21) and four goals (3:16), as well as the fastest two goals from the start of any period for one player (Mel Bridgman in 6:04).[36][37][38][39] The Flyers recorded a franchise single series high 33 goals scored and 295 penalty minutes while Schultz set the NHL record with 116 penalty minutes during the series.[40][41][42]

Conn Smythe Trophy winner Reggie Leach set or tied three NHL playoff records. His 19 goals scored during the playoffs is tied for the NHL record with Jari Kurri.[43] He scored the first and only five-goal game in team history during the fifth and final game against the Boston Bruins on May 6, which is also tied for the NHL record with four other players.[44] Leach's 10-game goal scoring streak from April 17 to May 9 is an NHL record and his 11-game point streak from April 15 to May 9 is a franchise record.[45][46]

Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Mel Bridgman October 9, 1975 [47]
Jerome Mrazek February 7, 1976
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Franchise firsts

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
60-goal season Reggie Leach April 1, 1976 [48]
5-goal game, playoffs Reggie Leach May 6, 1976 [49]
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Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 28, 1975, the day after the deciding game of the 1975 Stanley Cup Final, through May 16, 1976, the day of the deciding game of the 1976 Stanley Cup Final.[50]

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
Date Details Ref
June 3, 1975 (1975-06-03) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1st-round pick in 1975
To Washington Capitals
[51]
December 15, 1975 (1975-12-15) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • Player to be named later[e]
To Washington Capitals
[53]
March 9, 1976 (1976-03-09) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Pittsburgh Penguins
[54]
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Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer teamViaRef
August 6, 1975 (1975-08-06) Dave KellyProvidence College (HE)Free agency[55]
September 10, 1975 (1975-09-10) Larry WrightCalifornia Golden SealsFree agency[56]
Wayne SchaabOmaha Knights (CHL)Free agency[56]
September 12, 1975 (1975-09-12) Terry MurrayCalifornia Golden SealsFree agency[57]
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew teamViaRef
June 2, 1975 (1975-06-02) Ted HarrisRetirement[58]
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTermRef
June 6, 1975 (1975-06-06) Mel Bridgman5-year[59]
August 6, 1975 (1975-08-06) Bob Ritchie[55]
September 5, 1975 (1975-09-05) Dave Schultz5-year[60]
September 16, 1975 (1975-09-16) Orest Kindrachukmulti-year[61]
March 7, 1976 (1976-03-07) Paul Holmgrenmulti-year[62]
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Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1975 NHL amateur draft, which was held at the NHL's office in Montreal, on June 3, 1975.[63] The Flyers traded their second-round pick, 36th overall, along with the rights to Randy Andreachuk to the St. Louis Blues for Wayne Stephenson on September 16, 1974.[64]

More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (league) Notes
1 1 Mel Bridgman Center  Canada Victoria Cougars (WCHL) [g]
3 54 Bob Ritchie Left wing  Canada Sorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)
4 72 Rick St. Croix Goaltender  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
5 90 Gary Morrison Forward  United States University of Michigan (CCHA)
6 108 Paul Holmgren Forward  United States University of Minnesota (WCHA)
7 126 Dana Decker Left wing  United States Michigan Tech University (WCHA)
9 160 Viktor Khatulev Defense  Soviet Union Dynamo Riga (USSR)
10 175 Duffy Smith Defense  Canada Bowling Green State University (CCHA)
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Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Richmond Robins of the AHL[65][66] and the Philadelphia Firebirds of the NAHL.[67]

Cultural references

In The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror IV segment, The Devil and Homer Simpson, the starting lineup of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers are included as members of the Devil's Jury of the Damned.[68]

Notes

  1. The alternate captain position was abolished from the 1975–76 season through the 1984–85 season.
  2. Whereas the 1975–76 Flyers won all 20 at home in regulation, in the early days, teams have to win in regulation or overtime for it to count in the winning streak. Notably, 1929–30 Boston Bruins won 20 at home (18 in regulation). Now, current rules state a winning streak is wins in any manner. Most notably, the 2011–12 Detroit Red Wings, who are the current NHL record holders with 23 consecutive home wins, won only 19 in regulation (one in overtime and three in shootouts).[2][3][4][5][6]
  3. Prior to the 2011–12 Red Wings, one other team won at least 20 home games, this being the 1929–30 Boston Bruins (20 home wins, 18 in regulation).
  4. Clarke did not play and was replaced by MacLeish.
  5. The Capitals sent John Paddock to the Flyers on September 1, 1976, to complete trade.[52]
  6. The Flyers later received the Penguins' 1977 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th-round picks to complete the trade.
  7. The Flyers acquired the 1st overall pick from the Washington Capitals for Bill Clement, Don McLean and the Flyers' first-round pick, 18th overall, on June 3, 1975.[64]

References

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