The Goons of Hockey
Posted by freezethepuck on May 5, 2010
“This is going to be a wild show…”
-Broad Street Bullies Documentary on HBO
Last night HBO debuted a documentary featuring the Broad Street Bullies (Philadelphia Flyers) in their time of greatness in the 1970s.
In all honesty, this documentary appeared a little dry. The average hockey fan probably would not find this feature interesting, same with the non-hockey fan watching HBO.
Yet, for an avid hockey fan, this one-hour clip showed the truth behind old-time hockey. Not only did HBO actually use old clips that many people never saw before, but the players told the majority of their story.
The amount of inspiring quotes from inside the Philadelphia locker room could inspire most athletes today.
On the Broad Street Bullies, Phil Esposito had the following to say: “You can be anybody you want, unless if you have the talent you aren’t going to win. Period. And they had the talent.”
Probably the biggest non-fighting part of the documentary focused on the Flyers’ ability to assimilate into the community. The players seemed to live to associate with fans and the public. These men were just that, men who happened to play professional hockey. And they gave back to the public often.
The following people contributed with interviews throughout the movie and explained how they felt about the entire era:
Flyers Players: Bernie Parent, Dave Schultz, Joe Watson, Bill Clement, Bobby Clarke, Bob Kelly, Bobby Taylor, Don Saleski, Orest Kindrachuk, Gary Dornhoefer, Bill Barber, Ed Van Impe, Joe Watson, Terry O’Reilly.
Other Contributors: Phil Esposito (Boston Bruins), Lou Schneidfield (Former Vice President of the Flyers), Anthony Gargano (Philadelphia), Frank Orr, Bryan Lewis (former director of NHL officiating), Jack Kadlec (Former Flyers Director of Publicity), Bruce Coooper (Flyers Historian), Howard Eskin (Philadelphia), Jay Greenberg (Author Full Spectrum), Jack Chevalier (Author The Broad Street Bullies), Mark Mulvoy (Sports Illustrated), Keith Allen (Former Flyers General manager), Jack Chavelier (Philadelphia Bulletin), Richard Johnson (Boston Sports Historian), Stu Hackel (Former Director of Broadcasting), Ed Snider (Former President of the Spectrum).
Quotes from Head-Coach Fred Shero:
“The person who has it made is only one step from being a has-been.”
“There are no heroic tales, without heroic tails.”
“Satisfaction is death.”
“To avoid criticism sya nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”
“People usually gets what’s coming to them–unless it’s been mailed.”
The players acknowledged that some of the quotes never made sense, and Shero did not intend for them to make sense at times. Regardless, the quotes inspired the players, and that is all that mattered.
HBO also focused a good portion on the singing of Kate Smith. A local singer brought in to sing God Bless America in hopes of bringing together the crowd, the Flyers began winning whenever she sang.
Even today the Flyers continue with this practice. Although Smith passed away in 1986, a tape of her singing God Bless America plays throughout Wachovia Center. Yet, the Flyers promised back when the tradition started only to play the tape when the Flyers needed a win. It did not work tonight as the Flyers fell to the Bruins.
Nevertheless, the compilation of videos, interviews, and stories surpassed the expectations. Even by providing various statistics like how the Flyers ended the season with more penalties than other team gave the documentary that little added extra flair.
The next time Broad Street Bullies plays on HBO again (and it will, numerous times) make sure to record it. Even non-Flyers fans will enjoy the almost ridiculous side of how brutal hockey was back then.
“Win today and we walk together forever…” -Fred Shero
