Philadelphia Flyers 50 Greatest Moments in History

50. Philadelphia Flyers beat Pittsburgh Penguins in 5 OT

Kicking off the list is a beautiful if not long night during the 2000 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Philadelphia Flyers were down 2-1 heading into Game 4 and needed a win to stay in the race. The two teams always had a storied history and it was no different in 2000. The game ended up being the third longest game in NHL history as the two battled it out in overtime. After tying it up on their 17th power play, the Flyers entered a long night that would see it end in a victory.

The five overtimes last 92 minutes of play and it would see the Flyers and Penguins take turns on offensive dominance. Flyers’ Daymond Langkow made an attempt in the first overtime to score but the puck bounced off the crossbar. Pittsburgh dominated the second overtime and almost scored but the puck missed and bounced off the right post. Third overtime saw three powers plays yet no one could managed to score on them. The agony finally ended when Keith Primeau scored the game winning goal in the fifth overtime. The puck went down the right boards and the wrister went right past Penguins goaltender Ron Tugnutt, putting the Flyers up 2-1. It would be one of the biggest highlights of the series.

Next: Number 49: Legion of Doom

49. Flyers Legion of Doom is Born

Written by Marc Naples

The Philadelphia Flyers entered the 1994-95 season with renewed optimism.  An NHL giant of the 70s and 80s, the Flyers had now missed the playoffs 5 seasons in a row.  They had good reason to believe they would return to prominence this season, largely because of the budding stardom of Eric Lindros.  At 21, Lindros seemed ready to dominate the NHL. He would furthermore be supported by Mark Recchi, Rod Brindamour, and Mikael Renberg.  Recchi was coming off the most prolific 2 season stretch by any Flyer since Bobby Clarke.  Renberg had recently set the franchise record for points by a rookie, and Brindamour seemed an ideal two-way centerman.

Despite these expectations, the season started very poorly.  After consecutive 3-0 losses to bad teams in Florida, GM Bobby Clarke had seen enough.  He abruptly sent Mark Recchi to Montreal for the now notorious package of Eric Desjardins, John LeClair and Gilbert Dionne. Of the 3 acquisitions, LeClair was perhaps the least exciting.  Starting as a checking center in Montreal, he looked like a depth forward in the NHL.  After the trade, the Flyers started to improve, but there was neither any sign of impending magic.

On February 25, 1995, coach Terry Murray decided to try a new line.  Playing against his former team, LeClair would join Renberg and Lindros, as Murray essentially put all his biggest forwards on the ice together.  The rewards were immediate. LeClair scored a hat trick and the line scored 8 points in total in a dominant 7-0 victory over a stunned Canadiens team.  This victory sparked the Flyers and the new line to a phenomenal run the rest of the season which continued until the Conference finals.  Though Renberg’s time on the line was derailed by injuries in the following seasons, the line was one of the best of the decade.

Next: Number 48: Stanley Cup Victory 1974

48. Flyers 1974 Stanley Cup Victory

The Philadelphia Flyers first Stanley Cup game came less decade after the team’s creation. It was a quick ride up the tower of success and many couldn’t believe the success of such a young team. It was a good matchup, pitting the East Division champions Boston Bruins against the West Division champions Philadelphia Flyers. The Bruins were heavily favored yet the Flyers brought tenacity to the series. That tenacity, which some called aggression, gave the team the nickname the Broad Street Bullies. It would be a matchup that would be remembered by Flyers fans for years.

The Flyers managed to beat the New York Rangers in the semi-finals before facing the Bruins. They had a dangerous goalie named Bernie Parent in the goal. Parent was coming off of a 47 game regular season win streak. Boston would win Game 1 while the Flyers would come back and win Games 2,3 and 4. It would take Game 5 for the Bruins to send the series back to Philadelphia and the Spectrum. Game 6 would see Rick MacLeish score the game’s only goal on a powerplay. It would be the 30 shots blocked by Parent that helped to seal the Stanley Cup for the Flyers. They would be the first expansion team to win a Stanley Cup trophy.

Next: Number 48: Bobby Clarke Sets Record

48. Bobby Clarke Scores 100 Points

Written by Brendan Canney

Bobby Clarke is the Philadelphia Flyers. If the team were to ever change their name to the Philadelphia Bobby Clarke’s I’d imagine you wouldn’t find too many detractors. The 5’10” Canadian won three NHL MVP awards, captained the Flyers at the age of 23, and most importantly, won two Stanely Cups. He did all of that, mind you, while having type-1 diabetes. An ailment that was scared many NHL teams away from the dynamic forward when he draft eligible. The Flyers finally took a chance on the kid, drafting him in the 2nd round.

Clarke spent his entire 15-year career with the Philadelphia Flyers, scoring over 100 points three times.

His first time eclipsing the 100 point mark was in the 1972/73 season. Clarke totaled 104 points by scoring 37 goals and assisting on 67 of his teammates in 78 games. He became the first player from an expansion team to score over 100 points in a season.

Clarke’s play on both ends of the ice propelled the Flyers into the playoffs where they won their first playoff series against the Minnesota North Stars. In that series he was struck in his eye by an errant stick causing his contact to break. After having the contact removed from his eye he was diagnosed with a scratched cornea but still played in the next game.

The Flyers were defeated in the following round by the Montreal Canadiens. Clarke was awarded the first of his three Hart Memorial Trophies at the conclusion of the season as the NHL’s most valuable player in the regular season.

Next: Number 47: Flyers Test Out New Equipment

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announces Travis Sanheim (not pictured) as the number seventeen overall pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

47. Philadelphia Flyers Test New Hockey Equipment

Written by Mickey Walsh

Some might ask why this would be one of the greatest moments in Flyers’ history. It’s groundbreaking for the sole fact that it changed the sport itself.

1981-1983: Cooperalls–

Hockey’s fashion has largely gone unchanged since those days of the Original Six: skates, socks, jersey. Some new pads have been added, and helmets, and visors, but perhaps the most dramatic aesthetic change of uniform in the NHL was the addition of Cooperalls in the early 1980s. Designed by hockey brand Cooper Canada, Cooperalls were long black pants worn instead of the shorter cuts players had worn up until then (and wear now). The Flyers, along with the Hartford Whalers, tested out Cooperalls for the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons, changing the look of the game.

The trial run was met with considerable criticism, with goalies on opposing teams complaining that the long black pants made it hard for them to see the puck– not so much a complaint on the Flyers’ side, of course– and players saying that the pants provided them less friction during falls, so they were more prone to sliding around when they were knocked to the ice. By the start of the 1983-84 season, the League had passed a rule saying players could only wear short pants, which ended the Cooperall experiment. Although it was an unsuccessful endeavor, the Flyers were unique in that they had been part of an experiment that literally changed the look of the game.

Next: Number 46: Flyers Win Second Stanley Cup

46. Flyers Win Second Stanley Cup in 1975

It’s not easy to win back-to-back Stanley Cup. The Flyers made it easy when they won their second Cup during the 1974-1975 season. They were easily recognized as a physically strong team with a sometimes aggressive style of play. While it may seem easy for the defending champions to recapture their title, the Buffalo Sabers would prove not to make it as easy as thought. The 1974 was a more memorable series yet it was unbelievable that the young team could win it again a second time.

It would be another Game 6 victory for the Flyers. The Sabers had a scary line called the French Connection. The line consisted of Gilbert Perrault, Richard Martin and Rene Robert and was something that the Flyers needed to handle with care. They might have been more talented but the Flyers had the strength of the Broad Street Bullies. Yet it would be the prowess of Flyers goaltender Bernie Parent that would take them into Game 6. Game 3 would be remembered as the ‘fog game’ as warm conditions made the ice and air create a fog. It would be another shutout win in Game 6 for the Flyers and a second Conn Smythe Trophy for Parent.

Next: Number 45: Reggie Leach's Big Night

45. Reggie Leach Scores Five Goals

Written by Marc Naples

Reggie Leach, aka the “The Riverton Rifle,” seemed destined to play hockey with Bobby Clarke.  The pair was dynamic in junior hockey, catapulting both players to high draft picks. While Clarke was a fast success in Philadelphia, Leach struggled to make his mark in the NHL.  After having a difficult time way out west with the California Seals, Leach’s career changed dramatically when he was traded to the defending cup champs in Philadelphia and reunited with his old junior linemate Clarke.

Leach and Clarke combined with Bill Barber to form the LCB line.  They would go on to set records for the best offensive performance the NHL had seen to date, en route to another Stanley Cup for the Flyers. Going for a third straight title in 1975-76, Leach did all he could.  He set a still-standing franchise record with 61 goals.  Once the playoffs rolled around, he did even better, although his best game was an unlikely one.

The morning of one game, Leach was nowhere to be found as the team skated.  His teammates eventually found him passed out and hungover.  Leach, who had a known drinking problem, could not be revived by coffee and a shower, but a few beers seemed to do the trick. Coach Fred Shero wasn’t convinced and decided to sit him for the game.  Leach’s teammates intervened and claimed he could play.  Leach was added to the lineup, and all Leach did was score a playoff-record 5 goals.

This incredible game was just part of Leach’s Spring.  Although the Flyers lost to the Canadiens in the finals, Leach finished the playoffs with 19 goals in only 16 games.  This performance resulted in Leach being the first skater ever to win the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP for a non-championship team.

Next: Number 44: Bernie Parent Makes Hall of Fame

44. Bernie Parent Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame

On September 25th, 1984 Bernie Parent was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame, becoming first member of Flyers organization to be so honored. He is most notably known for the 1974 and 1975 Stanley Cup Playoff runs where he helped his team to two consecutive Stanley Cup titles and two Conn Smythe MVP Awards. He ended his time in the NHL during 1979 and on June 4th, he announced his retirement. Parent would go from the ice to the bench as he stepped into the fold as the Flyers new goaltending coach.

During his career, Parent was a force most teams didn’t want to come up against. He was part of the Flyers during the year of the Broad Street Bullies. He was a stand-up goaltender, learning not to sit back on his heels and losing concentration. His career was legendary and bumper stickers read “Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent”. However, it would be a hockey stick in the face during a game against the New York Rangers that ended his career. The injury to his right eye was too great for him to continue. Parent would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. He finished his regular season career with 486 games and 28,000 minutes of ice time and his playoff career with 63 games and 3,824 minutes played. To this day he is one of the most successful goalies to ever wear the Flyers colors.

Next: Number 43: Flyers Beat Rangers in Regular Season Shootout

43. Flyers Beat Rangers in Shootout to Make Playoffs

Written by Brendan Canney

Even after coming off a successful 99-point season in 2008/09, the Flyers were not content to stand pat, especially after exiting the playoffs in the first round at the hands of their hated rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After suffering a dismal start to the season, coach John Stevens was relieved of his coaching duties by Paul Holmgren who then in turn hired Peter Laviolette. The coaching change did little to solve the Flyers consistency as the team went 2-7-1 after hiring Lavy. They were also bitten by the injury bug, seeing numerous injuries suffered by star players Daniel Briere, Kimmo Timonen, and Jeff Carter.

The team persevered though, mainly on the back of journeyman goaltender Michael Leighton, and the team found themselves in a “Win and you’re in” scenario against upstate rival, New York Rangers. The Flyers peppered Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to the tune of 47 shots on goal but only Matt Carle was able to find the back of the net, matching the Rangers lone goal that was scored by Jody Shelley.

Both teams failed to score in the overtime period, forcing the season to come down to the dreaded shootout, an area in which the Flyers struggled during the regular season as evidenced by their 3-7 record. Danny Briere started the shootout by beating the King Henrik glove side. Erik Christensen was first up for the Rangers, and he was stoned by Boucher.

Mike Richards took the puck for the Flyers second attempt but was unable to find the back of the net. P.A. Parenteau, who was 2-2 in shootouts during the regular season, went forehand on Boucher and beat him over his left pad. The Flyers third attempt was to be taken by their best player, Claude Giroux, who lasered a shot right thru Lundqvist’s five hole, forcing the Rangers to score on their last attempt, or face elimination.

Olli Jokinen skated to the puck at center ice with speed, roaring down the right half of the ice towards Boucher’s glove hand, brining the puck from his forehand to his backhand as he neared the goalie crease only to have his shot kicked away by Boucher. As Boucher gathered himself off the ice, he got to his feet and fist pumped so hard I was afraid he’d throw out his shoulder.

Next: Number 42: Flyers Unbeaten Streak Broken

42. Flyers 35 game Unbeaten Streak

Written by Marc Naples

By the 1979-80 season, the Flyers had lost their swagger.  It had been three years since they had made a deep playoff run, and coach Fred Shero had resigned as coach.  His replacement, Bob McCammon didn’t even last a full season, and this season would be the first full season under young Pat Quinn. Young talents Brian Propp and Ken Linseman gave the team new energy.  Linseman led the team in points playing with Bill Barber and Paul Holmgren, while Brian Propp sparked linemate a Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach to their old from.

This offense proved impossible to hold down, and they simply refused to lose.  They constantly came from behind to win or tie games.  Before you knew it, they had gone 20+ games without a loss.  Their standard of play became so high, that when the Flyers extended their unbeaten streak to 24 games, the Philadelphia fans booed them for blowing a lead and settling for a tie.

The team continued on to shatter records.  First they set the NHL record with a 29 game unbeaten streak, before breaking the pro sports record by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers of 33 games.  They got the streak up 35, before crashing down with 7-1 loss.

After the streak, the Flyers had only two losses on the season even though the calendar said  January 7.  Often lost is the fact that the Flyers immediately began another unbeaten streak of 11 games.  The Flyers ultimately fell short to the dynasty Islanders in the Stanley Cup finals, but it was an amazing season and streak.

Next: Number 41: Sergei Bobrovsky's First Flyers Game

41. Sergei Bobrovsky’s First Game as a Flyer

Written by Mickey Walsh

The Flyers’ cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, had just opened a new arena and were itching to play their first regular season hockey game there. They didn’t have to wait long to get their chance, with a marquee matchup set between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to open both teams’ 2010-11 seasons.

The Flyers, coming off an absolutely incredible run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, were still full of momentum from the previous season, despite adding a few new faces. Among those faces was 22-year-old undrafted Russian goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, plucked from the KHL’s Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Impressing in training camp, Head Coach Peter Laviolette named Bobrovsky the starter for the season opener.

NHL.com writes that “Bobrovsky was such an unknown that Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma couldn’t even generate a proper scouting report.” Up against players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, however, “Bob”, as his new teammates called him, was cool, calm and collected, picking up 29 saves for a 3-2 victory– the first win by a goalie in his Flyers debut since Antero Niittymaki in 2004, and the youngest ever to do so for the Flyers (a record previously held by Ron Hextall).

To further spoil the Penguins’ debut in their new arena, Danny Briere and Claude Giroux– arguably two of Pittsburgh’s least favorite players– and Blair Betts all got the better of Marc-Andre Fleury to give the Flyers the win and to establish their dominance in the building. By the end of the 2014-15 season, Philadelphia’s record at the Consol Energy Center was 13-2-1.

Next: Number 40: Claude Giroux's First Goal

40. Claude Giroux Scores His First NHL Goal

Written by Mickey Walsh

The Flyers wanted to forget the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, in which they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the dreadful 2006-07 season, and only the ninth time in franchise history. Unfortunately, the team didn’t get the start they wanted in the new season, firing Head Coach Peter Laviolette after three games, all losses. By the end of October, despite Craig Berube taking over head coaching duties, the team was 1-7-0, dead last in the League, and their new captain, Claude Giroux, had not yet scored a goal.

Giroux sat down with reporters after practice on October 21 and said, “We’ve never thought about not making the playoffs. We’ve got to go game by game and we will make the playoffs.” His statement sent ripples among the press; many sounded skeptical of Giroux’s promise. How could he say that when he hasn’t even scored a goal?

Two weeks later, that goal came. Against the visiting Edmonton Oilers, and with fan faith at its lowest, Giroux put the puck in the net and received a standing, emotional ovation from the sold-out crowd at the Wells Fargo Center. The crowd wouldn’t quit, erupting into chants of “ROOOOO” when the captain took the ice for the next face off, and he raised his stick to salute the crowd.

The goal proved the catalyst for the rest of Giroux’s season– despite waiting so long to score that first goal, he ended in third place in League points (86), scored at a clip of 1.18 points per game and earned a Hart Trophy nomination as League MVP. It can’t be sad that Claude Giroux doesn’t give Flyers fans something to truly believe in.

Next: Number 39: Bobby Clarke Inducted in Hall of Fame

39. Bobby Clarke Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame

There is no doubt that one of the greatest Flyers players of all time is Bobby Clarke. He spent his entire NHL career with the team and left his mark as a strong center. Clarke was drafted 17th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1969 NHL Draft. There were worries that Clarke wouldn’t be able to play due to his diabetes and his first few years in the NHL was rough. There were occasions where he would have low sugar but a balanced nutrition plan by his coaches helped to fix the problem. After his first few years, no one would ever remember that he had a disease.

Clarke’s third season with the team would see him post the highest number of points in Flyers history. He had 35 goals and 46 assists for 81 points. His tenacity on the ice made him one physical player on the ice. It wouldn’t be a coincidence that Clarke was part of the aggressive style of play that the Broad Street Bullies were known for doing. He became a captain of the team and helped to lead them to the 1974 and 1975 Stanley Cup victories. Clarke made the All-Start team four times and was named the Hart Trophy winner in 1973, 1975 and 1976. On June 15th, 1987 Bobby Clarke was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His final game came during the 1984 Stanley Cup Playoffs vs. the Washington Capitals. At the time of retirement Clarke ended his career with 358 goals, 852 assists for 1,210 points across over 1,100 games. He immediately became the general manager of the Flyers for the following 19 years.

Next: Number 38: Kimmo Timonen Returns to Philadelphia

38. Kimmo Timonen Returns to the Philadelphia Flyers

Written by Brendan Canney

The trade of Kimmo Timonen made all kinds of sense for the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Flyers wanted draft picks and the Hawks wanted a veteran defenseman to shore up their blue line. So on February 27th Kimmo Timonen left the team he had spent the previous eight seasons with to join the Blackhawks, who were in a position to compete for the Stanley Cup. Flyers fans across social media poured their heart out with touching remembrances of a player many never knew personally but felt like he was a part of their extended family.

Just nine days after leaving Philly for Chicago, the Blackhawks came to town. It’d be Timonen’s first game back as an opposing player. During a stoppage in play, the Philadelphia Flyers played a 90-second tribute in honor of Timonen, who was then met with a thunderous round of applause and a seemingly unending chant of “Kimm-Ooo!”. Kimmo Timonen ended his career in Philadelphia as the third most productive defenseman in team history while being voted as the team’s best defenseman five times, second only to Eric Desjardins.

Next: Number 37: Ron Hextall Scores

37. Ron Hextall Scores His First NHL Goal

This might come as a surprise but it is possible for a goalie to score an NHL goal. Goaltender Ron Hextall was one of the Flyers’ top goaltenders of all time. He was the NHL’s top goaltender during the 1986-1987 season, earning him the Vezina Trophy. That also was his rookie season with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was also part of the 1987 Stanley Cup finals that saw the Flyers fall to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. However, due to his spectacular performance, he took home one of five to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as a playoffs MVP.

Hextall was not the type of goaltender to just wait for the puck to come to him. Not only was he able to stop most shots headed his way, Hextall was a physical. He could handle the puck easily and make it down the ice, which is how Hextall was able to register an NHL goal. He had been described by many as the “third defensemen”, an aggressive goaltender with outstanding passing abilities. That ability made it no surprise when  Hextall became the first NHL goaltender to score a goal by shooting the puck into the opposing net as the Flyers defeated the Boston Bruins, 5-2, at the Spectrum.  He was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in 2008.

Next: Number 36: 2012 Flyers-Penguins Playoffs

36. The Flyers-Penguins 2012 Playoff series

Written by Brendan Canney

When asked by a reporter why he pushed Jakub Voracek’s glove away with his stick, Sidney Crosby replied, “I don’t like them. [Reporter ask why] Because I don’t like them. I don’t like… I don’t like any guy on their team.”

That about sums up the feelings these two teams have for one another. Much of that resentment stems from the Penguins 85-150-30 record against the Philadelphia Flyers.  Cheeky Flyers fans have even gone as far as editing the Consol Energy Center’s (the home of the Penguins) Wikipedia page, claiming the owner of the venue as the Philadelphia Flyers.

It’s hard to argue they aren’t considering the Penguins have only beaten the Flyers in regulation three times in their last 20 regular season meetings in their own building. Now, knowing all this back story you can see why whenever these teams meet in the playoffs it’s quite an affair.

The 2012 playoff series was unique in that neither team was interested in playing defense, like at all, as the team’s combined for 45 goals in the first four games. Just look at these final scores.

* Game 1 – 4-3 OT Flyers Win

* Game 2 – 8-5 Flyers Win

* Game 3 – 8-4 Flyers Win

* Game 4 – 10-3 Penguins Win

If you were watching the games you couldn’t look away for even a second because someone was bound to score. It was like playing Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey for the Nintendo 64, only without big head mode on. The flurry of goals finally slowed in game five. The Penguins won 3-2 (yawn) in regulation. It was the only game in the series to end in regulation in which neither team scored more than five goals.

With the series heading back to Philadelphia, the Flyers had a chance to end the series, and end it they did. Claude Giroux scored just 32 seconds into the game after absolutely leveling Penguins star Sidney Crosby on the first shift of the game. After that the Flyers were in complete control of the game, with Ilya Bryzgalov only allowing a 2nd period goal to Evgeni Malkin. The Flyers won game six in dominant fashion, 5-1, winning the series four games to two and finally allowing every hockey fan watching to catch their collective breath.

Next: Number 35: Philadelphia Flyers Take On Russia

35. Philadelphia Flyers Beat Russian Red Army

While the Cold War was being waged behind diplomat’s desks, it also was being wages on the ice. Four years before the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, another group of Americans would have the chance to take down Soviet hockey. The Soviet union had two squads that toured North America during 1975-1976. One was the Red Army team and the other was the Soviet Wings. One of the best games the Red Army team played was against the Philadelphia Flyers. The game was played on January 11, 1976 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. It was preceded with the spectacle and excitement as if the Flyers were playing in a Stanley Cup playoff.

The Red Army was undefeated going into their game with the Flyers. The Flyers were one of the best teams in the league and it was up to them to keep the Red menace at bay. The team wasn’t without any sort of talent. It was the era of the Broad Street Bullies and the Flyers’ aggressive play style would be needed to take on their foes. The Flyers boasted Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber and dangerous goaltender Bernie Parent. They also had the quick Reggie Leach, who was the 1976 Conn Smythe Trophy winner and racked up 91 total season points. Parent wasn’t able to play when the Flyers faced the Red Army yet there was still a formidable Flyers team to take on the Russians.

Flyers’ head coach Fred Shero had a good understanding of how the Russians played and it was to the team’s advantage. His family had fled from Russia and he studied the techniques of the Russian hockey machine. The Flyers had the support of America as they played the Russians. The Flyers would end up beating the Red Army 4-1 and it would be because of a perfectly played game by Clarke and his teammates.

Next: Number 34: The 2012 NHL Winter Classic

34. Philadelphia Flyers Play in 2012 Winter Classic

Written by Ryan Walsh

On January 2, 2012, the Flyers hosted the NHL’s fifth annual Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park. Although this was not the first Winter Classic for the franchise, having played in the game two years earlier at Fenway Park, however, it is a completely different experience when a team, and a city, gets the opportunity to host the incredible event.

The weekend began with the alumni game, which was played between retired members of the Flyers and Rangers. It was a magical experience to watch, and likely for those participating in the game, as well. The game’s first goal came from John LeClair on a pass from former Flyers captain, Eric Lindros. A grizzled Bernie Parent also played a portion of the first period, making a big stop that earned a standing ovation from the crowd.

The main event was an exciting one, in which the home team jumped out to an early lead. Unfortunately, the Flyers did not manage to come away with a win. However, it was an emotional game and something special for Flyers fans to see and to experience. 

Next: Number 33: Sam Gagne With Overtime Goal

34. Sam Gagne Helps Spark Flyers Comeback

While Sam Gagne might be remembered for his time with the Boston Bruins, it was his one spectacular playoff performance with the Philadelphia Flyers that he is best remembered. He was out of the lineup for the firs three games and it allowed the Bruins to take a 3-0 lead. His return in Game 4 was a blessing for the struggling Flyers. He helped the Flyers to an overtime victory and would helped to bring about one of the greatest playoff comebacks. Gagne would score two goals in Game 5 giving the Flyers a 3-2 victory and send the series back to Boston.

The Flyers tied the Bruins 1-1 in Game 6 before Gagne came back in once again. He had an assist with Mike Richards and that gaeve the Flyers a 2-1 advantage. It would be a nail in the coffin of the Bruins’ season. Yet it would be in Game 7 that Gagne sealed the fate of the Flyers. He had the game winning goal in the game and the Flyers would go on to play the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference finals. They’d defeated the Canadiens before losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals. Gagne would be remembered as the man who helped the Flyers pull off one of the greatest upsets in playoff history.

Next: Number 33: Eric Lindros Gets Emotional

33. Eric Lindros Emotional Flyers Season

Written by Marc Naples

1994-95 was a hugely memorable season for the Flyers.  The team had created one of the best lines in the NHL, which catapulted them to their first playoff appearance in 5 years.  A young team with a budding 21 year old superstar in Eric Lindros and a new arena on the way, it seemed like the sky was the limit.

In his third NHL season, Lindros was reaching new heights.  Lindros was the centerpiece of the new “Legion of Doom” line, which took the league by storm in the strike-shortened season.  Once the line was formed, Lindros scored 29 goals and 70 points in only 46 games, which put him in a tie with Jaromir Jagr for the most in the league.

Technically Jagr was the league scoring champion on account of having more goals, even if Lindros played fewer total games.  Regardless, it was Lindros who was awarded the Hart trophy as league MVP.

Hulking but baby-faced, Lindros memorably accepted the award on stage.  Lindros was so emotional, he was moved to tears during his brief acceptance speech, but maintained enough composure to tell the camera, “Philadelphia, the best is yet to come.”  It was a beautiful moment for the team, the city and the fans that said unmistakably, look out, because the Flyers are back.

Next: Number 32: Flyers-Senators Penalty Minutes

32. Flyers-Senators Rack Up the Penalty Points

Written by Mickey Walsh

March 5, 2004: Flyers vs. Senators, Single Game Penalty Minute Record

The Flyers have always had a reputation for being a hard hitting, physical team– a reputation that, deserved or not, continues to stick with them today. Things were no different during the 2004 game between the Flyers and the Ottawa Senators that set the League record for most penalty minutes in a single game.

The previous meeting between the teams, a 1-1 tie on February 26, ended poorly for the Flyers’ star forward Mark Recchi, who had been hooked, slashed and hit by the Senators’ Martin Havlat. Recchi and Ken Hitchcock, then head coach of the Flyers, vowed revenge on Canadian television after the game, saying, “In my opinion, this is something the players should take care of.”

By the third period of the game on March 5, the bad blood had boiled over. With Philadelphia up 5-2, Flyers enforcer Donald Brashear instigated a fight with his counterpart on the Senators, Rob Ray, triggering a string of line brawls and fights that lasted through four attempts to restart the last two minutes of the game. Both Ottawa goalie Patrick Lalime and Flyers goalie Robert Esche had left their creases to fight each other, as well as notable names Zdeno Chara, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza for Ottawa and Patrick Sharp, John LeClair, and Michal Handzus for the Flyers. The officials needed 90 minutes to sort out the penalties, but 419 total penalty minutes were doled out, a League record broken, and a legendary game won.

Next: Number 31: Danny Briere's First Flyers Game

31. Danny Briere’s First Game With the Flyers

While the video above shows the player that Danny Briere was for the Flyers, his first game in the NHL foreshadowed the powerhouse he would become. His debut with the Philadelphia Flyers was after being signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2007. His eight-year, $52 million contract made him one of the highest paid player in the league during the 2007-2008 season. His first season with the Flyers wouldn’t be his best it but it showed what the Flyers had on their roster.

Briere’s first game as a Philadelphia Flyer was an omen of what was to come. He opened scoring in the game just three minutes into the first period. His fast skating allowed him to get past Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff and make his first goal as a Flyer. He would contribute again as the game was tied 2-2 in the third period. Briere had a breakaway play and beat Kiprusoff again with 1:48 left to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead. He would end his first season with the Flyers with 72 points in 79 games played. He even helped the team to a 2008 Eastern Conference finals appearance. Briere will be on this list again but the Flyers had made a good decision when they signed the Canadian.

Next: Number 30: Flyers-Lightning Game Six

30. Philadelphia Flyers-Tampa Bay Lightning Game 6 Eastern Conference Finals

Written by Mickey Walsh

May 20, 2004: Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning– With their season– and the Stanley Cup Playoffs– on the line, the Flyers were not about to let the Tampa Bay Lightning walk to the Cup Finals without a fight. Down 4-3 in the last two minutes of the third period in Game Six, Flyers captain Keith Primeau backhanded the puck past Lightning goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin in a wrap-around that tied the game and sent the fans in Philadelphia wild.

With less than two minutes remaining in the first overtime period, Simon Gagne finished the job with a shot just past Khabibulin, getting the Flyers to a Game 7 and securing that crucial victory for his team. Primeau, who had an assist on Gagne’s game winner, finished the game with four points, while Gagne finished with two goals on the evening. While the Flyers would end up dropping that final game that sent the eventual Cup winners to the Finals, Gagne and Primeau’s late heroics made the Eastern Conference Finals that year a series to remember for all hockey fans.

Next: Number 29: Chris Pronger Caught Stealing

29. Chris Pronger Steals Puck from Blackhawks

It was nearing the end of the season and the Flyers needed to capitalize on every chance they could get. Their March 13, 2010 game against the Chicago Blackhawks was a strong game that mainly focused on events that happened in the third period. The first two periods saw no scoring from either team. It would start 1:18 into the third period when Simon Gagne scored on Cristobal Huet with an assist by Daniel Carcillo. The Blackhawks quickly came back to tie it up and it would be on a power play goal that Kris Versteeg poked past Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton. Chicago would score again making it 2-1 before the Flyers tied it up.

Scott Hartnell was responsible for giving the Flyers a chance to beat the Blackhawks. His goal came with 2:04 left in the third and it would be up to Chris Pronger to give the Flyers the win. It would be with 2.1 seconds left that the Flyers miracle took place. Pronger took a pass from Claude Giroux and went down the ice. He managed to evade the Blackhawks’ defensemen and put the puck past the glove of Huet. According to the Associated Press, Pronger commented on his goal saying “That was huge. We didn’t want this to go into overtime or a shoot out.” It would be a memorable goal for Pronger’s time with the Flyers.

Next: Number 28: J.J. Daigneault Ignites the Spectrum

28. J.J. Daigneault Excites the Spectrum Crowd

Written by Marc Naples

A new era for the Flyers began in the 1984-85 season.  Under new face Mike Keenan, “Keenan’s Kids” came roaring out of nowhere with one of the youngest lineups in the league and went all the way to finals against the power house Edmonton Oilers.

The Oilers dispatched the young Flyers rather easily in the series, but the league was on notice.  This Flyers team featuring Peter Zezel, the Sutter twins, Pelle Lindbergh, Tim Kerr, Dave Poulin and Mark Howe would be a force.

The Flyers put up a great regular season in 1985-86, although the season was haunted by the tragic death of Pelle Lindbergh.  In 1986-87, the Flyers made their push and met the Oilers again in the Stanley Cup finals.  Playing without leading goal scorer Tim Kerr, the Flyers got off to a miserable start.  They lost the first two games of the series, and were trailing game three 3-0.

The Flyers battled back, but again found themselves trailing in a must-win Game 6 at home.  A late third period goal from Brian Propp tied the game, and before the Spectrum crowd could even settle down, J.J. Daignealt scored on a seeing eye shot from the point.  The Spectrum exploded in a moment many considered the loudest in Spectrum history.

Like many other great Flyers teams, a historic NHL dynasty keep the Cup out of the Flyers’ hands.  No one could forget, however, how the Flyers came back to win Game 6 in the 1987 Stanley Cup finals.

Next: Number 27: Bob Clarke Forgets Claude Giroux

27. Bob Clarke Forgets Claude Giroux’s Name

Written by Mickey Walsh

June 24, 2006: The 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver was no disappointment. The previous year’s “Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes” may have been the most exciting event in the hockey world for some time, but the following year’s draft was just as suspenseful.

With the Flyers holding the 22^nd overall pick, General Manager Bob Clarke watched players like Jonathan Toews, Phil Kessel, Nick Backstrom and Jonathan Bernier tick off the board, one by one. When the time came for Philadelphia to announce their pick, Clarke walked to the podium, stepped up to the microphone and said, “Philadelphia selects, from Gatineau in the Quebec Junior League… um, I forget. Claude Giroux!” While a slightly embarrassed but excited Giroux ran up to meet the slightly more embarrassed but excited team executives, Flyers fans were busy getting ready to meet the new first rounder who would eventually become their electric captain.

Next: Number 27: Chris Pronger's Superstar Game

27. Chris Prongr vs. 1-3-1

Written by Ryan Walsh

While Chris Pronger only managed to actually play 12 games during his tenure as the Flyers’ 18th captain, he certainly touched those few games with his own particular charm.

Perhaps the most memorable game during the Hall Of Fame defenseman’s captaincy came against the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 9, 2011. The Lightning were off to a great start to the season thanks to their unique 1-3-1 checking strategy employed by head coach Guy Boucher. The game plan was reminiscent of the trap defense used by the New Jersey Devils in the 1990s; while it was successful, it made for some very boring hockey. The success of the plan essentially came from the fact that there was nearly no forechecking at all, forcing the other team to have to go through the entire Lightning team in order to enter the offensive zone. The cheeky Pronger, however, had other plans for Tampa and their trap.

Right from the first whistle, the Flyers captain took it into his own hands to make the team in blue have to come for the puck themselves, making a statement that he and his team weren’t going to to fall into the trap. Although the Flyers lost in overtime, Pronger’s attitude and leadership shined as he made a mockery of Tampa’s entire game plan.

Next: Number 26: Jeremy Roenick OT Winner

26. Jeremy Roenick Has Series OT Goal

Written by Marc Naples

By the 2003-04 season, the Flyers had fully moved on from the Lindros era.  With coach Ken Hitchchock guiding a veteran team, they adopted to the tight-checking style that was so effective.

From this steady hand, the Flyers were a low scoring team, but also a 101-point team that won the division.  With this veteran lineup, the Flyers dispatched the Devils in the first round in 5 games.

Their second round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs would be much tougher.  In this series, the home team held serve in each of the first 4 games in tight contests.  At 2-2, the series went back to Philadelphia for game 5.  There was no doubt about this game, as the Flyers blew away the Maples Leafs 7-2.  The only real suspense came with fights late in the game.

The Flyers would travel to Toronto for game 6, hoping to finally win one there.  It was back to being a very competitive series, and became increasingly physical and vicious as well.  The teams went to overtime tied 1-1, and things got even crazier.

An absolutely dizzying sequence of play began when Darcy Tucker destroyed Sami Kapanen with a check along the boards.  Kapanen was in clear distress, but the refs let the play continue.  With the Toronto crowd roaring and on their feet from the hit, the Leafs had a virtual power play as Kapanen struggled to return to the bench.  He fell twice, dropped his stick, before Keith Primeau was ultimately able to hook Kapanen back to the bench with his stick.

As the Flyers finally got 5 skaters back in the ice, all the excitement created open ice.  Less than a minute later after the Kapanen hit and in continuous unbroken play, Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte broke in on a 2 on 1.  Roenick looked off passing to Amonte before sniping the puck top shelf on Ed Belfour.  The Toronto crowd, rocking moments ago, was stunned as their season was suddenly over.  It was truly one of the most breathless sequences of Flyers hockey you’ll ever see.

Next: Number 25: John LeClair and Eric Desjardins

25. Flyers Acquire John LeClair and Eric Desjardins

Written by Ryan Walsh

The Legion of Doom is arguably the best line in Flyers history, featuring two team legends in Eric Lindros and John LeClair, but it would not have been possible if not for a great trade the team made in 1995. Despite having led Philadelphia in scoring for three straight seasons, including a team-record 123 that still holds to this day, the Flyers dealt star forward Mark Recchi to the Montreal Canadiens in order to try to find a spark. What they received were a couple a era-defining players in Eric Desjardins and John LeClair.

LeClair clicked right away with Lindros, serving as one of the league’s best power forwards, and scoring 50 or more goals in each of his first three full seasons as a Flyer. Desjardins quickly became the team’s best defenseman since Mark Howe, winning a record seven Barry Ashbee Trophies for the Flyers’ most outstanding defenseman, and eventually serving as team captain. The two were a dangerous combo and made the Flyers a force to be reckoned with during the 1990s.

Next: Number 24: Tim Kerr the Scoring Machine

24. Tim Kerr Scores Four Goals Against Rangers

Written by Marc Naples

A lumbering big man, every NHL team passed on drafting Tim Kerr.  The Flyers saw enough, however, to sign him as a free agent.  He was well worth it.

Kerr showed his NFL chops by scoring 20 goals in each of his first two NHL seasons, even though injuries shortened both of those seasons.  When the injuries finally let him play, Kerr left a huge impression and scored 50 goals four seasons in a row.  From 1983-83 through 1986-87, only Jari Kurri, Wayne Gretzky and the greatest offensive machine in NHL history outscored Kerr.

While Kerr’s total stats speak for themselves, Kerr had a few great moments along the way.  In the 1985 playoffs, Kerr single-handedly brought the Flyers back agains the New York Rangers.  In the course of only 8:16, Kerr scored an incredible four goals.  This still stands as the greatest goal scoring outburst in NHL playoff history.

Kerr had other impressive accomplishments in a career that was cut short by injuries.  His 34 single-season power play goals will likely stand as the NHL record for a LONG time.  Maybe Kerr’s injury kept the Cup out of the Flyers hands in 1987, but of all the good things to remember him by, none of his accomplishments were more dramatic than his four goal outburst in 1985.

Next: Number 23: Eric Lindros Becomes a Flyer

23. Flyers Acquire Eric Lindros

Written by Ryan Walsh
Much like the hype that surrounded Connor McDavid leading up to the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Ontario native Eric Lindros was highly touted as the type of player who came along once in a generation, and was set to have an enormous impact on whichever team selected him in 1991. He had the size and the skill to put himself in the same echelon as a Lemieux or a Gretzky.

Lindros, however, had only one ultimatum leading up to the draft: he would not play for the Quebec Nordiques, who had possession of the first overall pick. Despite his warnings, Quebec selected Lindros, and he decided to hold out. After a year, the Nordiques worked out a massive trade with the Flyers in which they received Ron Hextall, Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci, two first-round picks, two more players and $15 million in exchange for Lindros.

While Forsberg and the rest of the pieces in that trade went on to help the Nordiques franchise win the Stanley Cup just a few years later, Lindros was electric during his time in Philadelphia, serving as the Flyers captain, winning the Hart Trophy, and leading the team to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

Next: Number 22: Danny Briere's Hat Trick

22. Danny Briere Hat Trick Against Montreal

Danny Briere will make multiple appearances on any list that contains great moments or great players. He chose to play with the Philadelphia Flyers instead of the Montreal Canadiens.  It was a move that wasn’t popular with his Canadian fans and he also kept him mom away from games. Instead, he would rather have her comes to games in Philadelphia. The one game that she came to in his home province was on February 13, 2010, a day before Valentine’s Day. It would be the first hat trick of five during his career and the only one of his on Canadian soil.

The boos were raining down from Bell Centre in Montreal. It seemed to work as inspiration for him instead of dampening his success. Briere went up against Canadien goaltenders Jaroslav Halák and Carey Price and completely put them to shame. He score on Halak in the first and second periods. Halak was pulled and Price took his place. Beriere had a penalty shot on Price and it went right past him. It was a rough night for the Habs all around. In addition to Briere’s hat trick, the Flyers demolished the team 6-2.

Next: Number 21: Ian Laperriere Takes One for the Team

21. Ian Laperriere Takes Puck to the Face

One of the worst injuries that ever occurred to a Flyers player happened to Ian Laperriere. It makes this list due to how severe it was. Laperriere was one of the more gritty players that the Flyers had on their roster. He spent his time with the St. Louis Blues,  Los Angeles Kings and then the Colorado Avalanche. After his time with the Avalanche, Laperriere signed a three-year contact with the Flyers. He was an instant hit with Flyers fans and reminded them of their 1970s Broad Street Bullies.

Laperriere was a strong skater and it showed in the way he could maneuver around the ice. He was quick with the puck and was able to get it where it needed to be. However, it would be a major injury that would derail his career. He took a puck to the face during the 2010 NHL Playoffs against the New Jersey Devils. Laperriere broke his orbital bone and caused him to have a concussion. That concussion would come back to haunt him. He returned to the lineup during the Eastern Conference finals yet he wasn’t playing the same. He dealt with post-concussion symptoms during the following pre-season and he ended up missing the whole 2010-2011 season.

Next: Number 20: Tom Bladon Sets NHL Record

20. Tom Bladon Sets NHL Defensemen Record

Tom Bladon was picked up by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1972 NHL Entry Draft. The next year the Flyers put him to work and he did not disappoint. He has 42 points during his rookie season and established himself as a defensemen that was not to be messed with on the ice. Bladon was a strong, offensive threat to other players on the ice. He had a strong game from the blueline yet Bladon has his rough patches as a player. When it came to getting gritty on the ice, there was no one else the Flyers could count on to get the job done. However, when Bladon was not on his A-game, it seemed as if he didn’t know which way the puck needed to go.

One of his biggest accomplishments came during his time with the Flyers. Bladon was part of the Broad Street Bullies and he was a physical player. On December 11, 1977 the Flyers took on the Cleveland Barons. Bladon had one of the best games of his career n this night. He scored four goals and had four assists in the team’s 11-1 victory. It was the first game ever that an NHL defensemen had scored eight points in one game. He also was the first Philadelphia Flyers defensemen to score more than two goals in a single game. It was a benchmark to which all other defensemen would be held to and he would be memorized as a Flyers legend.

Next: Number 19: Flyers Draft Bill Barber

19. Philadelphia Flyers Draft Bill Barber

If there was one rookie and draft pick that the Philadelphia Flyers were lucky to have, it would be Bill barber. Barber was drafted 17th overall in the first round of the 1972 Amatur Draft. He was a strong center but switched to the left winger position. He was a strong player and one of the most prolific that the Flyers ever drafted. During the Flyers’ stellar 1975-1976 season, Barber racked up 50 goals and 112 total points. He was also part of the 1975 team that brought the Stanley Cup home to the City of Brotherly Love. Barber was a strong shot on goal and would continue to be a strong powerhouse player for the team.

There were other moments that made Barber a fantastic player. He had multiple 20 point seasons and there was no one else on the ice who could equal him. Barber also had four 40-plus goal seasons and there was no offensive line that could keep up with the Flyers. He holds a special as being one of only a few Flyers players to have 420 goals during his time with the team. Barber could get the puck into the net with ease and was often compared to Bobby Clarke for his athleticism and his skill. There is no doubt he will be remembered during his 903 games played with the Flyers.

Next: Number 18: Flyers-Rangers Agree to Tie

18. Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers Agree to a Tie Game

While it isn’t one of the greatest moments in Philadelphia Flyers history, it is significant.  It would be classified as one of the most patriotic moments in Flyers history and patriotism is a strong emotion. It was a difficult time in the days after 9/11. The country was in mourning after the terrorist attacks and it was a time of national strength. The NHL season was still in its early exhibition games and the one that took place on September 20th, 2001 was against the New York Rangers. Both teams were about to take the ice in the third period of the game when then President George W. Bush took to the jumbotron screen.

The thousands of fans that were in attendance insisted that the game be delayed and the President’s speech to Congress was displayed. The speech lasted 36 minutes and in that time, both teams agreed that it was best to end the game in a 2-2- tie. Both teams lined up and shook hands at the end of the speech. Fans and players alike both listened intently to the speech and cheered loudly when it reached its conclusion. There were cheers of “USA! USA!” throughout the stadium and many were touched when red, white and blue bunting was displayed on video boards throughout the stadium. All of the Flyers organization agreed that it was the right move for both teams and to inspire the county.

Next: Number 17: Flyers Defeat an Original Six Team

17. Flyers Beat the New York Rangers Team

While it might just seem like another win for the Flyers, it stands out in history as one of the beginning of the Flyers’ dominance in the mid-1970s. One of it’s first memorable moments took place in 1974 when the Flyers became the first expansion team to beat an Original Six team in the playoffs. The win would send the Flyers to their first ever Stanley Cup finals. Most didn’t think that the Flyers were capable of playing at the same level as the Rangers. Many saw the Broad Street Bullies as a bunch of goons. The Rangers were full of future Hall of Fame players and many thought they were a shoe in for the win.

It was an easy two game win for the Flyers at the Spectrum at the beginning of the series. Game 2 was a brawl filled game as the Flyers’ Bob Kelly dropped his gloves with the Rangers’ Jerry Butler just 19 second in to the first period. The Flyers would win the game 5-2 and go 2-0 up on the Rangers. The Flyers started out strong in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden but ended up being outscored in the third period by the Rangers. The Rangers won Game 4 and the series headed back to the Spectrum. Game 5 saw the most excitement and Bernie Parent made 31 saves in the Flyers victory. It was a huge stun to the hockey world and showed that there were new teams on the block.

Next: Number 16: Danny Briere is Mr. Playoffs

16. Danny Briere scores 30 points in Playoff Push

It seems like there is nothing that Danny Briere can’t do on the ice. 2010 seemed to be Briere’s year and it was if he had some kind of lucky star following him everywhere he went. Briere was a speedster on the ice and could handle the puck with skill and ease. Head coach Pete Laviolette saw that he had the skill needed to get the Flyers through the playoffs. He put him on a line with Scott Hartnell and Ville Leino and at first the line struggled. However, it came together and was one of the most formidable lines during that season. They played together during the first round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils and were a huge success.

Briere would rack up 30 points during the Flyers’ 23 game playoff stretch. While the team didn’t managed to make the Stanley Cup, they still put up a strong contention. “Mr. Playoffs” as Briere would be known ended up playing in 124 playoff games during his career. He had 53 goals and 63 assists for 116 points. It would be an understatement to stay that he was one of the best clutch players the Flyers had on their roster. His 2007-2013 time with the team would be remembered as some of his best hockey.

Next: Number 15: Eric Lindros Scores Big in Overtime

15. Eric Lindros Scores Successful Penalty Shot

A penalty shot might just seem like a general thing that all players should be able to do. However, Eric Lindros was a different type of player. He was a strong offensive player, given he was 100 percent healthy. Concussion are unavoidable but they affected Lindros for most of his career. Lindros could’ve been one of the best Flyers players in their history but given his injuries, he usually falls to the back of the list. He was a multiple-threat player. He could shoot with extreme accuracy, maneuver around most obstacles and had great vision. Lindros was someone that the Flyers could utilize to his max when he was healthy.

One of his best moments as a Flyer came on May 11, 1997.  Lindros managed to push the puck down the ice and put it right between the posts of Buffalo Sabers goaltender Steve Shields. The goal came at 9:13 in the second period off of a penalty shot. It gave the Flyers a 3-0 lead. The Flyers had attempted penalty shots before and were unsuccessful on all but one try in six attempts during playoff games. Lindros’ shot was the first successful penalty shot in franchise playoff history.

Next: Number 14: Flyers Try to Make 1987 Stanley Cup

14. Flyers Almost Win a Stanley Cup in 1987

The Philadelphia Flyers won their last two Stanley Cups in the mid 1970s. Since then, they had made multiple playoff appearances. Losing in the Stanley Cup finals is just as hard as losing any other game except it hurts more. The Flyers were the runners up for the 1986-1987 Stanley Cup. The series against the Edmonton Oilers was an exciting one to watch. This was the era of the Oilers team that had Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Grant Fhur. It wasn’t that the Flyers weren’t good but they didn’t play on the same level as the Oilers.

There was plenty of talent on the Flyers team. Players like Ron Hextall, Mark Howe, and Brian Propp were formidable teammates on the Flyers’ roster. They were all strong players with offensive capabilities that made the Stanley Cup series interesting. There were some injuries that appeared on the roster and it hampered how well the team could play to its full potential. They cliched the series over the Rangers and then the Islanders. They needed every bit of grit and determination to beat the Montreal Canadiens to earn a ticket to the Stanley Cup finals. Sadly, it would be the talent of the Oilers that took the trophy home.

Next: Number 13: The Spectrum is Gone

13. The Spectrum is Demolished

There is no day more sad than the one that the day the demolition of the Specturm started. In 2010, it was decided that the aging building would need to be demolished for a new place to be built. A ceremony on November 23rd, 2010 had all of the dignitaries in attendance. Bob Clarke, Ed Snider and Bernie Parent all spoke of their moments fondly in the time they played at the Spectrum. A wrecking ball put a small hole into the side of the building and signaled the beginning of the end for the Flyers home. It was home to the team’s first Stanley Cup championship in 1974 and the Flyers’ 4-1 win over the Soviet’s Red Army team.

The last game played at the Spectrum was played by the Flyers. It was Game 5 of the 1996 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Florida Panthers. It was May 12, 1996 and it was sadly a loss for the home team. The Panthers Mike Hough beat out Flyers goalie Ron Hextall  in second overtime for a 2-1 Panthers victory. The Spectrum was also home to many concerts and the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team. It became the Xfinity Live! retail and commercial space. It would also be a favorite place for many older generations of Flyers fans.

Next: Number 12: Joeffry Lupul Does It Again

12. Joeffry Lupul Game Seven Overtime Goal

The Philadelphia Flyers had their worst season ever prior to the 2007-2008 year. The 2006-07 season was the Flyers’ 40th year in the NHL but it was also their worst. It was the first time that they missed the playoffs since 1994. Out of 82 games played, the Flyers had a record of 22-48-12 with 56 points. It was a dismal period for the team and one that many quickly wished they could forget. It wouldn’t be hard for them to as the 2007-08 season was much better and saw the Flyers make it to the playoffs once again. It was hard to imagine how the team could bounce back and it would be a pleasant surprise.

There were lots of new faces that joined the Flyers roster. The team went 42-29-11 with 95 points. It pushed them into the the playoffs and their first round matchup was with the Washington Capitals. Six games of back and forth before Game 7 was played in Washington D.C. The game would go into overtime and it would be a big victory. Flyers left winger Joeffry Lupul managed to get down the ice and connect with Kimmo Timonen. Six minutes into the extra time, Lupul took the rebounded puck from Timonen and managed to get it past the Capitals goaltender Cristobal Huet and put the Flyers into the second round.

Next: Number 11: Danny Briere With A Hat Trick

11. Danny Briere Scores a Hat Trick and Overtime Goal

There might not be enough hat tricks on this list and it’s only appropriate that Danny Briere be the one to add another one to the list. He was for certain one of the most prolific players in Flyers history. He had three hat tricks during his time as a Flyer and his last one came on January 7th, 2012. The game was against the Ottawa Senators and was all Briere all day. He made his way down the ice in the first period for a shot that made its way past Senators goaltender Craig Anderson. He would make it past Anderson again in the third to tie the game at 2-2-.

Briere’s third and final goal came during overtime. There were just seconds left on the clock and Anderson made every attempt to stop the puck. Yet it wasn’t enough as Briere made the shot and Anderson missed it. The Flyers would end up winning in overtime 3-2. Hats would fly from the stands to celebrate Briere’s hat trick at the Wells Fargo Center. Briere would also end up getting in a fight with Senators forward Kyle Turris.

Next: Number 10: Gary Dornhoefer Beats the North Stars

10. Gary Dornhoefer Overtime Game Winning Goal

There are a lot of great Flyers moments that took place in the 1970s. But before the team went on to win their two Stanley Cups in a row, there was a lot of footage of Flyers right wing Gary Dornhoefer. He joined the Flyers in the wake of the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. Dornhoefer would be with the team until his retirement. During his hey days, he was a hard hitting and gritty winger. His first season saw him rack up 13 goals and 43 points, which came alongside his accumulated 134 penalty minutes. He was quick to throw the gloves down and was a reliable member of the aptly named “Broad Street Bullies”.

His most famous moment with the team came in 1973. The Flyers were in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota North Stars. It was the Flyers’ first trip to the postseason and it was about to become the first of many. Dornhoefer took the puck up the ice and managed to get past the North Star’s goaltender and push it right into the net. The goal gave the the Flyers a 3-1 lead and is as memorable as he fell right after scoring the goal. It was such a memorable act that a statue was erected in memory of the goal. The Flyers would go on to lose the Stanley Cup but it was the beginning of a strong era of Flyers hockey.

Next: Number 9: 1989 Stanley Cup Playoffs

9. Philadelphia Flyers and the 1989 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 1988-89 season was a difficult one for the Philadelphia Flyers, who dealt with injuries, a new head coach, and multiple team acquisitions. Former Flyers Paul Holmgren took the reins of the team after the firing of Mike Keenan. The Flyers would have a rough beginning of the season, going 4-15-0 after a 5-1-0 start. Things would seem to fall back into place as the Flyers climb back about .500 and finish the regular season with a record of 36-36-8. It would put them in fourth place would push them into a playoff spot.

The Flyers would battle the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 1988-1989 playoffs. It would be a bitter match that would see the Flyers move to the next round in six games. Ron Hextall became the first goalie in NHL history to shoot and score a goal in the playoffs.  It was an empty netter in the final moments of Game 5.  The Flyers came back in the next round against the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the series in seven before losing to the Montreal Canadians in the Stanley Cup finals. This would be the last time the Flyers would see the playoffs until 1995.

Next: Number 8: Wild 7-4 Flyers Victory

Feb 19, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers former defenseman Eric Desjardins (right) poses with Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall during a pre-game ceremony where Desjardins was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame before game against the Buffalo Sabres at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

8. Philadelphia Has Wild 7-4 Victory over New York Rangers

It wouldn’t be a pretty win but it would be a wild game that the Philadelphia Flyers played on December 8th, 1977. The Flyers faced their rivals the New York Rangers at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. The Flyers were losing 2-1 at second intermission and it was time for the team to kick things into gear. The third period saw the Flyers take 20 shots on Ranger goaltender Wayne Thomas and it was a sign of things to come. Reggie Leach and Don Saleski both scored in the first five minutes of the final period. It would take the lead away from the Rangers, who responded with a goal by Jerry Byers to tie things back up at 3-3.

Ross Lonsberry would score his first goal of the night shortly after the Rangers tied things up. Leach had his second goal of the night 35 seconds after Lonsberry score his goal. Bobby Clarke would join the party and score a goal on the Ranges goaltender, making the score 7-3. The Rangers would only score one more goal in the game, a wrister by Don Murdoch on a power play. It would also be Flyers goaltender Bernie Parent’s 500th NHL game, who recorded his fifth consecutive victory and 11th straight game without a loss.

7. Eric Lindros First NHL Goal

While the video above depicts Eric Lindros’ second career goal, his first was the more important of the two. His goal helped to ignite a comeback for the Philadelphia Flyers on October 6th 1992.  The Flyers were playing the Pittsburgh Penguins and were down by two goals at the beginning of the third period. The Penguins were on fire as the game began and it seemed as if they would completely out play the Flyers. Penguins’ Mario Lemieux scored only 46 seconds into the first period and was followed by a goal from Kevin Stevens less than five minutes later gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead.

The Flyers were able to cut the lead to one on a goal from the newest Flyers Brent Fedyk. The Penguins regained their two-goal lead in the third quarter. It would be 30 seconds after the start of the third period that Lindros would help the Flyers comeback within one goal. Lindros took advantage of a poor faceoff from Jaromir Jagr and and backhanded the puck past Penguins goaltender Tom Barrasso. The Flyers were within one goal and got the tying score from Rod Brind’Amour passing the puck to Doug Evans, who pushed it past Barrasso. The score would stand at 3-3 and there were great performances from not only Lindros but the Flyers goaltender Dominic Roussel.

Next: Number 6: Bobby Clarke and Gordie Howe

6. Bobby Clarke Scores a Gordie Howe Hat Trick

Bobby Clarke, arguably one of the best captains that the Philadelphia Flyers ever had, is on this list a few ones. One thing that has not been mentioned was his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. For those who don’t know, a Gordie Howe Hat Trick is when a player scores a goal, an assist and gets in a fight all in one game. Bobby Clarke racked one of those up on November 23rd, 1974 against the Toronto Maple Leaves.

It was a strong game that the Flyers brought to the Maple Leaves on their home ice at the Maple Leaf Gardens. Clarke was the first goal to open up scoring against the Maples Leaves goaltender and followed his goal with assist on the second team goal that was scored by Reggie Leach. The Maples Leaves were no match for the Flyers, who made the game 4-0 at the end of the first period. The Flyers outshot the Maple Leaves 14-4 and Flyers goaltender Bernie Parent notched 21 saves in the team’s victory. Clarke’s fight came against the Maple Leaves’ Rod Seiling in the second period. That completed his GHHT and contributed to his standing as one of the greatest Flyers players.

Next: Philadelphia Flyers Blowout Washington Capitals

5. Philadelphia Flyers Blowout the Washington Capitals

The video above depicts the a big meeting between the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals in the 1983 playoffs but it would be a 9-4 blowout on December 15th, 1983 that would be the next headline. Tim Kerr and Ilkka Sinisalo would score th first two goals to put the Flyers up 2-0 over the Caps. The Capitals would rely on a power play goal from Mike Gartner in the late first period to tie the game at 2-2. It wouldn’t last long as Flyers’ Paul Holmgren would put the Flyers up by one.

The Capitals seemed to lack any desire to catch up with the Flyers in the second. There were six strikes by Flyers in the second. Mark Howe, Miroslav Dvorak Ilkka Sinisalo all scored on the Caps within 21 seconds of each other. The game was blown wide open by the Flyers’ strong style of play. Two more goals from Brian Propp and Rick MacLeish added to the Flyers large lead. Rookies on the team also carried their weight. Flyers goaltending rookie Pelle Lindbergh has 28 saves and has one of his best games of the season at that point. He was 12-5-2 and putting up an impressive streak as a rookie.

Next: Number 4: Flyers Win Their First Home Game

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Philadelphia Flyers Win Their First Home Game

It was the first NHL game played in the Philadelphia Flyers’ home turf. The Spectrum was brand new and it was ready for the large group of Flyers fans streaming into its seats. The team was brand new and was beginning their first season in the NHL. The Spectrum had cost $12 million to build and the opening night saw a crowd of 7,812 people. While that might seem like a small number, it’s only due to the fact that the Flyers had just become an NHL team.

The Flyers first game in their new stadium was on October 19th, 1967. It was against their to-be rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a rough start for the Flyers as they only managed to put five shots on the Penguins goaltender in the first 20 minutes of the game. The team wouldn’t score until the third period. It had a close encounter in the second period when a shot by Garry Peters seemed to go into the net only to have it hit the goaltender’s foot and bounce out. The Flyers lone goal would come at 2:59 left in the final period. Flyers Bill Sutherland took the rebounded puck off the foot of Leon Rochefort. The slapshot was then sent 10 feet into the net of the Penguins. The Flyers would win 1-0 in their second consecutive victory.

Next: Number 3: Philadelphia Flyers First Win

Nov 1, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers fan holds up a sign against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Philadelphia Flyers First Ever Win

Among the great moments in Flyers history, their first win has to be among the Top 5. It not only signified the beginning of what was to be a long era in Flyers hockey but the beginning of a history for the City of Brotherly Love. The NHL season had started and the Flyers were into their third game. They were a newly created team that was part of the 1967 NHL Expansion. The team hadn’t played a game yet in their new home, the Spectrum, and had loss their first two contests. However, their luck would change on October 18, 1967.

The Flyers were on the road against the St. Louis Blues. The Flyers got off to a rocky start, having a hard time find a rhythm and working within their capabilities. The only score that St. Louis would have was a slapshot goal from Fred Hucul. After that it was the Flyers who took over on scoring. Blues goaltender Glenn Hall had a dismal performance during the game. He joined the game in the second period and allowed the only two Flyers goals of the game. Goals for the Flyers came from Lou Angotti and Ed Hoekstra. Hoekstra’s goal came out of a scuffle that was right in front of the Blues goal with only seven minutes and 20 seconds left in the third period.

Next: Number 2: The Philadelphia Flyers Take to the Ice

Oct 2, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers fans walk outside of the Wells Fargo Center before game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Philadelphia Flyers First Game

There is no doubt that there were jitters in the stomachs of the Flyers players that stepped on the ice for the team’s first game on October 11th, 1967. It had been almost 35 years since a hockey team belonged to the city of Philadelphia. The Quakers played their last game in Philadelphia and it was almost a bit of a shock that the Flyers were awarded a team over Baltimore, which was considered a favorite. Ed Snider was instrumental in playing a part that landed a team back in Philadelphia.

The Flyers first game wasn’t going to end as they had hoped. They didn’t play on their home turf but that chance would come about eight days later and it would be their first home win. Yet on their inaugural game, it would end poorly for the Flyers. The team couldn’t manage to find a groove and work together. The team lost 5-1 to the California Seals, another of the the 1967 NHL Expansion teams. The long Flyers goal would come from Bill Sutherland 10:07 left in the first period. He scored the first goal in franchise history and had assists from Leon Rochefort and John Miszuk.

Next: Number 1: Philadelphia Gets Hockey Back

1. Philadelphia Gets a NHL Expansion Team

It would be 35 years and lots of waiting before the City of Brotherly Love would have a hockey team again. It was lucky enough to be rewarded the chance to have a NHL team. Baltimore and San Francisco had been favored to receive a team over Philly but it was meant to be. It is because of Ed Snider that Philadelphia has a hockey team. He pushed for the team to restore its glory in ice hockey and that it would be a great benefit to the city. There was a contest to name the new team and on February 9th, 1966 it was announced that Philadelphia would have a hockey team again.

There was immediately a need to name the new team. Several names came forward- Bashers, Blizzards, Knights, Lancers- but none seemed to fit the new team. The current name Flyers came from Ed Snider’s sister Phyllis, who suggested the name. It was phonetically great with the city’s name and the team kept the old Quakers colors of orange and back, just adding the white to the mix. The team name was announced to the public on August 3, 1966. The winged design of the letter “P” was custom made for the team and would become an iconic symbol of a storied franchise in Philadelphia.