The #15 seed in the inaugural Ultimate NHL Playoff, the ’73-’74 Philadelphia Flyers.

• Barry Ashbee (D)
  • 6 GP   0 G   0 A   0 P   -1   6 S   0 GWG   2 pIM   0 Stars
• Bill Barber (LW)
  • 6 GP   3 G   2 A   5 P   -1   35 S   1 GWG   0 PIM   1 Stars
• Tom Bladon (D)
  • 6 GP   0 G   3 A   3 P   +2   7 S   0 GWG   2 PIM   0 Stars
• Bobby Clarke (C)
  • 6 GP   3 G   2 A   5 P   -2   26 S   1 GWG   4 PIM   2 Stars
• Bill Clement (C)
  • 5 GP   0 G   1 A   1 P   Even   1 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Gary Dornhoefer (RW)
  • 6 GP   0 G   1 A   1 P   -1   10 S   0 GWG   17 PIM   0 Stars
• Andre Dupont (D)
  • 6 GP   0 G   2 A   2 P   -1   20 S   0 GWG   4 PIM   0 Stars
• Bill Flett (RW)
  • 6 GP   2 G   4 A   6 P   +3   21 S   0 GWG   4 PIM   3 Stars
• Bob Kelly (LW)
  • 6 GP   0 G   0 A   0 P   Even   1 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Orest Kindrachuk (C)
  • 6 GP   0 G   2 A   2 P   +2   8 S   0 GWG   2 PIM   0 Stars
• Ross Lonsberry (LW)
  • 6 GP   3 G   2 A   5 P   -2   31 S   0 GWG   2 PIM   0 Stars
• Rick MacLeish (C)
  • 6 GP   1 G   3 A   4 P   Even   20 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Simon Nolet (RW)
  • 6 GP   2 G   1 A   3 P   Even   10 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Bernie Parent (G)
  • 6 GP   2-4-0   2.83 GAA   .900 SV%   1 SO   5 Stars
• Don Saleski (RW)
  • 4 GP   0 G   0 A   0 P   Even   0 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Dave Schultz (LW)
  • 6 GP   3 G   0 A   3 P   +1   6 S   0 GWG   19 PIM   1 Stars
• Ed Van Impe (D)
  • 6 GP   0 G   0 A   0 P   -1   7 S   0 GWG   2 PIM   0 Stars
• Jimmy Watson (D)
  • 6 GP   0 G   5 A   5 P   +1   15 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   1 Stars

Bold – Team Best

Team Stats:

• Record: 2-4-0
• Goals Scored: 17
• Goals/Game: 2.83
• Goals Allowed: 17
• Goals Allowed/Game: 2.83
• Shots: 224
• Shots Allowed: 170
• Shots/Game: 37.3
• Shots Allowed/Game: 28.3
• # of PP’s: 14
• PPG’s: 2
• PP%: 14.3%
• TSH: 13
• PPGA: 2
• PK%: 84.6%
• Penalties in minutes: 58

The Broad Street Bullies were everyone’s worst nightmare. Back in the day, there were a lot of cases of the “flu” when teams came to the Spectrum to play the Flyers. This team was about as physical and tough as it gets, but still had plenty enough skill to dominate. They got a tough draw after their bye and ultimately couldn’t get out of the 2nd round.

1st Round:

Bye

2nd Round:

Lost to 18th-seeded ’06-’07 Anaheim Ducks, 4-2

Under the direction of legendary head coach Fred Shero, or “the Fog,” the ’73-’74 Flyers finished the regular season with a record of 50-16-12, which was good for 112 points and 1st in the West Division. The Flyers were ranked 5th out of 16 teams in goals for (273), but 1st in goals against (164). Hockey Reference ranked the Flyers’ strength of schedule as 15th in the league and their SRS rating system actually had the Flyers as the 2nd best team in the league. They began the playoffs by easily dispatching of the Atlanta Flames in four games. Next, they defeated rival New York Rangers in a nasty seven game series to clinch the franchises first trip to the Final. They faced off against the Boston Bruins and took them down in six games to clinch the franchises first of back-to-back Cups.

Bobby Clarke, widely viewed as the best Flyer of all-time, led the Flyers in almost every category during the ’73-’74 season. He would have better years, but his 35 goals, 52 assists and 87 points were all team highs. Rick MacLeish was second on the team in points with 77 and Bill Barber was third with 69. Those same three were the top three in goals as well with Barber potting 34 and MacLeish potting 32. MacLeish was second in assists with 45 and Gary Dornhoefer was third with 39. This Flyers team had only one player post a negative rating in plus/minus during the regular season and that player only player five games. Out of all everyday players, the lowest plus/minus rating was +10. Bruising defenseman Barry Ashbee was the team leader in plus/minus at +52 and Clarke and Barber were second and third, at +35 and +34, respectively. This time was known for its toughness and that toughness caused a lot of penalties. Dave “The Hammer” Schultz posted 348 PIM’s in 73 games played to lead the team. Andre “Moose” Dupont was second on the team with 216 PIMs. However, this team was also known for its Hall of Fame goaltender. “Only the Lord saves more than Bernie!” That was popular phrase among the fanbase praising Bernie Parent. He is one of the best of all-time and he posted a 1.89 GAA and a .933 SV% with 12 shutouts during the ’73-’74 season. He was given the Conn Smythe Trophy for his performance in the playoffs and was also awarded the Vezina that year. Bobby Clarke won the Lester B. Pearson Award as the league’s most outstanding player and Shero was awarded the Jack Adams Trophy.

Up next is the #16 seed, the ’03-’04 Tampa Bay Lightning!