I well remember watching that triptych tussle debut game of yours with the
Quebec Nordiques in Boston on TV, Stewie, as well as your refereeing debut there replacing an injured
Dave Newell (who had also worked the earlier game) as a mid-game replacement. And I also vividly recall watching you later that season from the pressbox at the
Spectrum against the
Philadelphia Flyers in March, 1980, when you simultaneously challenged
John "Too Tall" Paddock (now a Flyer assistant coach),
Behn "Toby" Wilson, and
Jack "Buck" MaIlhargey (now a Flyer pro scout) during a second period line brawl (as I recall you ended up going with Buck while your teammate, defenseman
Paul Baxter, got Wilson), three of the toughest Broad Street Bullies at the time. (The Flyers also had
Andre "Moose" Dupont. Mel Bridgman, Al Hill, and
Paul Holmgren among others in the lineup that night so there was no shortage of muscle available to them to match you, Baxter,
Gilles Bilodeau, Wally Weir, Curt Brackenbury, et al.)
As always a great blog, Stewie, and it's also true that off the ice the game's policemen are often the most gracious, helpful, and best "gentlemen" in sports! Something to be truly thankful for.
Flyers' tough guys John Paddock, Behn Wilson, and Jack McIlhargey