Bill Meltzer: Broad Street Bullying: The Top 11 Flyers Single-Game PIM Retrospective
- bmeltzer

I watched the entire Senators game in 2004.. I don't think I've ever been so fired up... It was a fantastic and exciting game not only because of the brawls but because they won against a Senators team that always seemed to give them fits. The only other time that year I was as pumped was after JR's OT winner vs the Laffs... 04 was a fun year to be a fan of the Flyers.

Great Job as always Bill! That Kings brawl was a preview to one of my favorite Homer moments the next year when he charges the melee to get at Holt after Holt is pounding 'The Rats' head into the ice. I think all that aggression he let out during his playing days is why he's so laid back now as GM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dos5u-Ygxe4
- jtb3rd

Wow. Never seen that before. That was dirty. Like Tie Domi on Adam Burt dirty.

I watched the entire Senators game in 2004.. I don't think I've ever been so fired up... It was a fantastic and exciting game not only because of the brawls but because they won against a Senators team that always seemed to give them fits. The only other time that year I was as pumped was after JR's OT winner vs the Laffs... 04 was a fun year to be a fan of the Flyers.
- Hextall271

Just a little side note.
I took this SMOKING HOT girl to the game, just you know, tryna get some. She sat on her (frank)ing ass the entire time the brawls were going on. After seeing that, I had no interest in her whatsoever. After I dropped her off, she wanted to give me a hug and I just dipped out quick and took off. Never talked to her again. Can't hang with a girl like that.

Billy Tibbetts (for obvious reasons) and Marc Bureau (for damn near killing Petr Svoboda with one of the cheapest and most gratuitous blindside elbows I've ever seen -- totally unprovoked at that).
- bmeltzer

Never could like Randy Holt, myself.

I had never seen the Bureau hit before. It would probably get a 20 game suspension nowadays.

So espn says Jagr signed a one year deal with nj

Not here to defend Tibbets, but doesn't statutory rape have to be 3 years of separation?
- jmatchett383

I had a friend that I ended a freindship with because he was seeing a 16 year old when he was 27. I was in school for teaching and I didnt feel comfortable with being a part of it. However, in Delaware 16 is considered consent, as long as the parents dont mind, anyone 29 and younger wont face criminal charges.... Even still I didn't want to hang out with him, because he was doing other ilegal things while with her...

I should have seen it coming when we went to see the 4th Harry Potter movie and he said Hermonie was hot.... I was like... she's 12. He was like.. I mean you can tell she will be attractive.... umhm...

Thanks Bill - great stuff as usual. I had forgotten about the Cummins/Clarke incident. Even for that era, it was a big deal. Found this article about it by Bill Fleischman, who was writing for The Hockey News back then:

CUMMINS REGRETS NEAR TRAGIC HIGH-STICKING OF FLYERS CLARKE
by BILL FLEISCHMAN

The most terrifying moment in Flyers history - that's what observers were calling the injury to Bobby Clarke and the ensuing mass attack on Barry Cummins. Cummins is the California Golden Seal rookie defenseman who was unknown to most hockey fans in Philadelphia until the night his stick connected with Clarke's scalp. Now it's unlikely many in the sellout crowd who witnessed the incident will ever forget Cummins.
Here's what happened.

The Flyers were leading 2-1 in a relativelytame game when Clarke and Cummins became tangled near California's goal. With play moving up the ice Clarke pulled his stick away and it caught Cummins under the eye. As the two skated near the Philadelphia bench Cummins suddenly swung his stick and struck Clarke on the head.

As Clarke slumped to the ice faster than you can say "opps", Bill Flett wheeled and charged Cummins, who fled across the ice. Off the Flyers bench came Bob Kelly and his teammates while the Seals followed moments later trying to rescue Cummins who soon disappeared under a pile of enraged, punching Flyers.

When the officals finally seperated everyone, Cummins' face was bloodied and he was helped to the dressing room, through for the night. Referee Art Skov had issued a match penalty(and automatic $200.00 fine) to Cummins while Kelly received a game misconduct for leading the assault from the bench.

Naturally Kelly was cheered and Cummins booed, but this wasn't the usual gut emotional reaction to a fight. The sight of a stick striking Clarke evoked gasps.

Later after 20 stitches repaired the scalp wound, Clarke said "I never saw the stick coming. When it hit, I could see the blood and felt dizzy, but I didn't think I was hurt bad." Cummins who had played in just 4 games since a promotion from Salt Lake City(WHL) explained his side.

"Clarke had cut me under the eye with his stick. I was mad and didn't have time to think. It was an impulse action that I regretted a second after it happened. I'm sorry - you always are when you hurt somebody."

Cummins wasted little time contacting Clarke once he reached Oakland the enxt day when the club returned home. He obtained the Flyers captain's home phone number from the Philadelphia Daily News and called Clarke. "He was really sick about what happened" said a surprised Clarke. "It takes a little courage to make a call like that."

Some observers felt the near-tragic episode was inevitable considering Clarke's slashing, poking technique. However as Flett said, nothing the NHL's hart trophy winner does should provoke swinging a stick at his head. "Nobody hits anybody with a two-hander" the normally serene "Cowboy" said. "It doesn't take much to kill a person. That guy might feel lucky he got thrown out tonight."

Flyer's coach Fred Shero was worried about his captain and super star but he wasn't suggesting further retaliation towards Cummins. "I saw what started it and I think it was just a reflex actionby him" Shero said. "I don't think he was seriously trying to hurt Clarke." Although he doesn't condone stick-swinging, Shero has been around long enough to remain calm through hockey's more violent moments. "Something like this could happen in any sport where you give the players sticks" he said.

Besides Cummins $200.00 fine, the NHL treasury collected $100.00 a piece for game misconducts to Kelly, Dave Schultz, Don Saleski, Ed Van Impe and California's Hillard Graves. Minutes after the Clarke-Cummins clash, Schultz renewed his feud with Graves in a skirmish that spread all over the ice and lasted 10 minutes.

The Flyers won 5-1. And to think Shero started the night expecting "a quiet game."

So espn says Jagr signed a one year deal with nj
- griouxmvp2012

Well, that covers all the former Atlantic Division teams... now he just needs to get traded to Carolina and Columbus for the Metropolitian hat trick.

Well, that covers all the former Atlantic Division teams... now he just needs to get traded to Carolina and Columbus for the Metropolitian hat trick.
- youarewrong

When was Jagr on the Islanders?

Just a little side note.
I took this SMOKING HOT girl to the game, just you know, tryna get some. She sat on her (frank)ing ass the entire time the brawls were going on. After seeing that, I had no interest in her whatsoever. After I dropped her off, she wanted to give me a hug and I just dipped out quick and took off. Never talked to her again. Can't hang with a girl like that.
- jmatchett383

atta boy. correct decision if i say so myself

I was at the game, fans were calling for his blood with about 5 minutes left and the Flyers well ahead. I still am not sure why the Senators went after Brashear. He fought Rob Friggin' Ray, then they sent our Chara and Neil (classy for whaling on a guy on his back) after Somik and Timander???

I'd add Ulf Samuelsson to the list of Flyers I just couldn't cheer for.

Also, if there any video of the Barry Cummins incident? I've never seen it.
- jmatchett383

Thing with Ulf is that he's actually a pretty good guy off the ice. Also, the fact that he reacted to the Domi cheapshot by saying essentially "When you play the way I do, I have to expect things like that come" started to give me a measure of respect for him.

No video footage of the Cummins incident -- it was not a televised game, I believe, or it was, the footage no longer exists (it was a common practice then for television network to simply tape over the broadcast with the same film) -- but there are many detailed descriptions of what unfolded.

When was Jagr on the Islanders?
- aightwebang17

Oh that team is still around? I thought they folded back in 82.

Thanks Bill - great stuff as usual. I had forgotten about the Cummins/Clarke incident. Even for that era, it was a big deal. Found this article about it by Bill Fleischman, who was writing for The Hockey News back then:

CUMMINS REGRETS NEAR TRAGIC HIGH-STICKING OF FLYERS CLARKE
by BILL FLEISCHMAN

The most terrifying moment in Flyers history - that's what observers were calling the injury to Bobby Clarke and the ensuing mass attack on Barry Cummins. Cummins is the California Golden Seal rookie defenseman who was unknown to most hockey fans in Philadelphia until the night his stick connected with Clarke's scalp. Now it's unlikely many in the sellout crowd who witnessed the incident will ever forget Cummins.
Here's what happened.

The Flyers were leading 2-1 in a relativelytame game when Clarke and Cummins became tangled near California's goal. With play moving up the ice Clarke pulled his stick away and it caught Cummins under the eye. As the two skated near the Philadelphia bench Cummins suddenly swung his stick and struck Clarke on the head.

As Clarke slumped to the ice faster than you can say "opps", Bill Flett wheeled and charged Cummins, who fled across the ice. Off the Flyers bench came Bob Kelly and his teammates while the Seals followed moments later trying to rescue Cummins who soon disappeared under a pile of enraged, punching Flyers.

When the officals finally seperated everyone, Cummins' face was bloodied and he was helped to the dressing room, through for the night. Referee Art Skov had issued a match penalty(and automatic $200.00 fine) to Cummins while Kelly received a game misconduct for leading the assault from the bench.

Naturally Kelly was cheered and Cummins booed, but this wasn't the usual gut emotional reaction to a fight. The sight of a stick striking Clarke evoked gasps.

Later after 20 stitches repaired the scalp wound, Clarke said "I never saw the stick coming. When it hit, I could see the blood and felt dizzy, but I didn't think I was hurt bad." Cummins who had played in just 4 games since a promotion from Salt Lake City(WHL) explained his side.

"Clarke had cut me under the eye with his stick. I was mad and didn't have time to think. It was an impulse action that I regretted a second after it happened. I'm sorry - you always are when you hurt somebody."

Cummins wasted little time contacting Clarke once he reached Oakland the enxt day when the club returned home. He obtained the Flyers captain's home phone number from the Philadelphia Daily News and called Clarke. "He was really sick about what happened" said a surprised Clarke. "It takes a little courage to make a call like that."

Some observers felt the near-tragic episode was inevitable considering Clarke's slashing, poking technique. However as Flett said, nothing the NHL's hart trophy winner does should provoke swinging a stick at his head. "Nobody hits anybody with a two-hander" the normally serene "Cowboy" said. "It doesn't take much to kill a person. That guy might feel lucky he got thrown out tonight."

Flyer's coach Fred Shero was worried about his captain and super star but he wasn't suggesting further retaliation towards Cummins. "I saw what started it and I think it was just a reflex actionby him" Shero said. "I don't think he was seriously trying to hurt Clarke." Although he doesn't condone stick-swinging, Shero has been around long enough to remain calm through hockey's more violent moments. "Something like this could happen in any sport where you give the players sticks" he said.

Besides Cummins $200.00 fine, the NHL treasury collected $100.00 a piece for game misconducts to Kelly, Dave Schultz, Don Saleski, Ed Van Impe and California's Hillard Graves. Minutes after the Clarke-Cummins clash, Schultz renewed his feud with Graves in a skirmish that spread all over the ice and lasted 10 minutes.

The Flyers won 5-1. And to think Shero started the night expecting "a quiet game."
- BringBack25

Jack Chevalier's Broad Street Bullies book has a lot about that game, and there are other newspaper accounts as well.

Just a little side note.
I took this SMOKING HOT girl to the game, just you know, tryna get some. She sat on her (frank)ing ass the entire time the brawls were going on. After seeing that, I had no interest in her whatsoever. After I dropped her off, she wanted to give me a hug and I just dipped out quick and took off. Never talked to her again. Can't hang with a girl like that.
- jmatchett383

???? Becasue she didn't go crazy over a hockey fight? Could have been the love of your life....

Oh that team is still around? I thought they folded back in 82.
- youarewrong

i really dont think they are far off at all from being a permanent pain in the (frank)ing ass for both the pens and flyers. the days of chalking up an easy W are over.

Thats when Hockey was for men, unlike the sisification of it now!

The Canadian Olympic roster is loaded. Seems like everyone else will be playing for Silver.

Why is Canada going with Luongo again? Crawford should be the guy.

I just rewatched the Bureau hit on Svoboda....Dirty isn't even the word for it....the blood pouring out of Petr's head is scary.

i really dont think they are far off at all from being a permanent pain in the (frank)ing ass for both the pens and flyers. the days of chalking up an easy W are over.
- stayinthefnnet

Yup, right up until they trade Tavares for say Spezza, who then retires from the NHL.

The Canadian Olympic roster is loaded. Seems like everyone else will be playing for Silver.

Why is Canada going with Luongo again? Crawford should be the guy.
- PLindbergh31

Swedes aren't too shabby:

L.Eriksson-H.Sedin-D.Sedin
Franzen-Zetterberg-Alfredsson
Landeskog-Bäckström-Steen
Hagelin-Berglund-Stålberg
Hörnqvist
Kruger

E.Karlsson-Edler
O.E.Larsson-N.Kronwall
Hedman-Enström
Hjalmarsson-Oduya

Lundqvist
Enroth
Fasth

Great Job as always Bill! That Kings brawl was a preview to one of my favorite Homer moments the next year when he charges the melee to get at Holt after Holt is pounding 'The Rats' head into the ice. I think all that aggression he let out during his playing days is why he's so laid back now as GM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dos5u-Ygxe4
- jtb3rd

Great stuff! Couple stories about Holmgren. One thing about him is that, contrary to what many fans think, he DOES have sense of humor. It's just a very dry, deadpan sense of humor.

When Mark Howe was skating his very first regular season shift as a Flyer, he broke out on a two-on-one with Holmgren. Howe started a give-and-go sequence but the return pass from Holmgren bounced off the defenseman's skate and hit Howe in the chin, cutting him (he stayed in the game). When they got back to the bench, Holmgren looked and Howe and said, "Howie, you've gotta learn how to take a pass better than that."

One night when Holmgren was assistant GM under Clarke, a group of reporters were standing around the replay area watching a VHS tape of old hockey fights about 90 minutes before warmups. One of Homer's more one-sided victories came up. At the same time, Holmgren was walking behind us. He stopped for half a second, glanced at the TV screen and said "That's what you're all doing over there? You people need to get a life or a real job"... and then walked on.

Great stuff! Couple stories about Holmgren. One thing about him is that, contrary to what many fans think, he DOES have sense of humor. It's just a very dry, deadpan sense of humor.

When Mark Howe was skating his very first regular season shift as a Flyer, he broke out on a two-on-one with Holmgren. Howe started a give-and-go sequence but the return pass from Holmgren bounced off the defenseman's skate and hit Howe in the chin, cutting him (he stayed in the game). When they got back to the bench, Holmgren looked and Howe and said, "Howie, you've gotta learn how to take a pass better than that."

One night when Holmgren was assistant GM under Clarke, a group of reporters were standing around the replay area watching a VHS tape of old hockey fights about 90 minutes before warmups. One of Homer's more one-sided victories came up. At the same time, Holmgren was walking behind us. He stopped for half a second, glanced at the TV screen and said "That's what you're all doing over there? You people need to get a life or a real job"... and then walked on.
- bmeltzer

He looks angry but he always comes off pretty happy.

Swedes aren't too shabby:

L.Eriksson-H.Sedin-D.Sedin
Franzen-Zetterberg-Alfredsson
Landeskog-Bäckström-Steen
Hagelin-Berglund-Stålberg
Hörnqvist
Kruger

E.Karlsson-Edler
O.E.Larsson-N.Kronwall
Hedman-Enström
Hjalmarsson-Oduya

Lundqvist
Enroth
Fasth
- aightwebang17

may be a little soft, but god damn that just oozes skill

Swedes aren't too shabby:

L.Eriksson-H.Sedin-D.Sedin
Franzen-Zetterberg-Alfredsson
Landeskog-Bäckström-Steen
Hagelin-Berglund-Stålberg
Hörnqvist
Kruger

E.Karlsson-Edler
O.E.Larsson-N.Kronwall
Hedman-Enström
Hjalmarsson-Oduya

Lundqvist
Enroth
Fasth
- aightwebang17

Wow.... That is very solid.