The Phliadelphia Flyers will face the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. It will be the 8th trip the Finals for the Flyers. They have two Cups in their previous 7 tries, and are looking for their first since 1975. Here’s a look at the Stanley Cup Finals the Flyers have played in.
1974 – Flyers defeat Boston Bruins 4-2
This was the first time a team outside the Original 6 didn’t take home the Cup. In fact the 1974 Semifinals saw the Flyers defeat the New York Rangers in the first series in which an expansion team defeated an Original 6 team. The Flyers took Game 2 of the finals in Boston with Bobby Clarke’s game winner. They then won both games at home to take a 3-1 lead. After a loss in Boston in Game 5. The Flyers took a 1-0 victory in Game 6, inspired by a live performance of Kate Smith singing God Bless America before thea game, in what has become Flyers tradition. Goalie Bernie Parent was the MVP.
1975 – Flyers defeat Buffalo Sabres 4-2
The Flyers swept the Maple Leafs and held off the Islanders before facing the Buffalo Sabres in the first Final to not include an Original 6 team. The Flyers won the first 2 at home, but lost a couple of bizarre games in Buffalo, highlighted by a bat on the ice and a ton of fog caused by the warm arena in Buffalo. Pictures show the puck and ice nearly impossible to see. The Flyers crushed Buffalo 5-1 in Game 5, then returned to Buffalo to take the series with a 2-0 win. Parent was once again the playoff MVP.
1976 – Flyers lose to Montreal Canadiens 4-0
The Flyers quest for a third straight Stanley Cup fell short. Montreal was representing the pride of the old style of hockey, which had been hurt by the Broad Street Bullies. Montreal owned the series, completing the sweep in Philadelphia. Despite the loss, Flyers winger Reggie Leach won the playoff MVP with a still record 19 playoff goals.
1980 – Flyers lose to New York Islanders 4-2
The Flyers returned to the Cup Finals after a few years of watching Montreal win the Cup. The Flyers had home ice advantage but fell in Game 1 4-3 in overtime. After an 8-3 Game 2 win, the Flyers lost the next two in New York. The Flyers won Game 5, but a controversial missed offside call cost the Flyers Game 6. Leon Stickle admitted he missed the call, and remains reviled in Philadelphia to this day. This was the first of 4 straight Cups for the Islanders.
1985 – Flyers lose to Edmonton Oilers 4-1
The Flyers 3rd Cup loss came once again to a budding dynasty. Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier made easy work of the Flyers. After winning Game 1, the Flyers lost the next 4, including the clinching Game 5 8-3 against backup Flyers goalie Bob Froese.
1987 – Flyers lose to Edmonton Oilers 4-3
The Oilers won their 3rd Cup in 4 years, but this time the Flyers put up a far better fight. Rookie goaltender Ron Hextall carried the Flyers to the Finals, and he played great in the series. The Flyers fell behind 3-1 but Hextall kept the Flyers in it with back to back 1 goal wins to tie the series. Game 7 in Edmonton saw Hextall have 40 saves, but the Flyers couldn’t generate enough offense, and the Oilers won 3-1 to take the Cup. Hextall was the MVP in a losing effort.
1997 – Flyers lose to Detroit Red Wings 4-0
The Flyers ran through the Eastern Conference playoffs, winning each series in 5 games. A dominant team all year, the Flyers were the favorites over a Detroit team that wasn’t as dominant as it had been in previous years. Still Detroit was in the Finals, and they looked like the better team by far. The Red Wings took the first two games in Philadelphia with 4-2 wins, then crushed the Flyers 6-1 to take a 3-0 lead. Detroit closed the series with a 2-1 win. Flyers star Eric Lindros scored one goal in the series, coming with less than 15 seconds left in the last game.
SOURCES
http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poffs.cgi
