Broad Street Buzz
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Philadelphia Flyers: Top 5 Fights of 2020-21

By Colin Newby

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 25: Samuel Morin #55 of the Philadelphia Flyers gets in a fight with Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rangers defeated the Flyers 8-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 25: Samuel Morin #55 of the Philadelphia Flyers gets in a fight with Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rangers defeated the Flyers 8-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Flyers were once the team with the most feared fighters in the NHL. While the legacy of the Broad Street Bullies can still be found within certain elements of the organization, the Stanley Cup can’t be captured with the same style of play that worked in the 1970s.

Fighting in hockey has lessened over the course of time, but it can still be a valuable tactic if used in the right way. The NHL and NHLPA, largely for that reason, keep it in the game.

The Flyers haven’t employed a traditional enforcer in years, and they finished 23rd in the league with 10 fighting majors in 2020-21, according to hockeyfights.com. However, Flyers fans and members of the organization can always acknowledge the grit that it takes for a player to stand up for a teammate and spark energy throughout a building by dropping his gloves. Five in particular stood out this season.

5. Joel Farabee vs. Mark Friedman (Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins, May 4)

Winger Joel Farabee was the Flyers leading goal scorer this season. He made a valiant attempt to uphold his team’s pride during a late-season matchup against the arch-rival Penguins at the Wells Fargo Center. Farabee squared up with Pittsburgh defenseman/former Flyer Mark Friedman in the second period. The fight was no bloodbath, but Farabee did ultimately take Friedman to the ground.

The most intriguing element of this fight was the hostility of the Orange and Black toward their former teammate. After Friedman was claimed off waivers by the Penguins, he dressed in four games against the Flyers and only one against all other opponents. Several Flyers got in scrums with the pesky defenseman. Speculation following the fight was that Friedman was too outspoken about his dissatisfaction over being consistently left out of the Flyers lineup during his tenure.

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