Warren Shaw
Sep 2, 2018 · 4 min read

On January 11, 1976 the Philadelphia Flyers ruled the day and the league when they played the Red Army team.

Although the Philadelphia Flyers played the Red Army team decades ago there is still discussion today about whether it was a embarrassment, patriotic or just a entertaining hockey game.

Most remember when the Soviets left the ice in protest from the physicality extended by the Flyers. Many remember the excitement and anticipation that game produced.

The Soviets did not just play the Flyers. They were divided into two team of their best players with a few additions for the tournament.

The Red Army and the Soviet Wings divided up the schedule with each team playing selected NHL squads. Buffalo soundly trounced their Russian opponents. The slick skating Sabres were on top of their game and the Buffalo fans were useful teammates that day in the Aud.

Perreault, Martin, Robert, Gare, Ramsey and Luce, and Korab gave them fits until the end of game buzzer. The Sabres prevailed 12–6.

Interestingly , Perreault ,Martin and Guevromont all had experience playing the Soviets while they were teammates on the Montreal Junior Canadians.

Montreal with superstar performer,Guy Lafleur, Jacques Lemaire, Steve Shutt, Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard played to a 3–3 tie with Ken Dryden in goal.

The New York Islanders who were just starting to make waves as a playoff contender lost 2–1.

The New York Rangers and Boston Bruins lost the Red Army 7–3 and 5–2.

The Soviet Wings were riding high having dominated international competition and embracing the assertion that they were the best team in the world.

The Flyers and Soviet Red Army teams joined together for a joint team dinner the night before the game was to take place and the chill and tension was thick in the air. Neither team had much to say to the other and it was evident that the up coning battle on the ice would absolutely be an extension of the Cold War.

The Philadelphia Spectrum was filled to capacity and over 17000 fans seated and ready for the war to start. The atmosphere was electric.

Kate Smith gave a rousing and patriotic rendition of God Bless America which brought enthusiastic cheers form the fans.

For one night at least the Flyers were Americas team.

Philly led by Bobby Clarke, who was well known by the Soviets for his slash of Valeri Kharlemov in the first Team Canada versus Russia series, displayed the leadership that had previously earned him the Hart Trophy as the NHLs Most Valuable Player.

There was worry that the Flyers would not prevail because they were without their Vezina Trophy winning goalie Bernie Parent. On the opposing side the Soviets were starting Tretiak.

The Flyers secret weapon was in the details. Their coach Fred S hero had had drilled the team to alter their style of play and discipline themselves not to chase the puck. He also made sure the defense did not make any diagnol passed in their zone where the Soviets could use their speed to possibly steal the puck and create an offensive opportunity.

When the game started backup goalie Wayne Stephenson’s fears were lessened with the relentless adherence to Shero’s strategy and the consistent physical contacts the Flyers executed on any red jersey they came in contact with.

Andre Dupont and Ed Van Impe led the defense with body checks that you could almost feel in the top row of the Spectrum.

The Flyers game plan paid dividends and after a fierce body check by Van Impe on Kharlamov the Russian coach demanded a penalty. However the referee declined to issue one citing that in his view it was a clean hit.

Soviet Coach Loktev screamed in Russian from the bench protesting and finally called his players off the ice. America was shocked watching the nationally televised contest.

The Soviets appeared to try to use leverage to get a penalty called on Van Impe, but it was to no avail. The NHL and Flyers owner Ed Snider made the Red Army aware they would not be paid if the didn't complete the contest.

After a 17 minute delay. the Soviets reappeared to jeers and loud booing.

Soon after the game resumed the Flyers took the lead on goals by Reggie Leach, and Rick Macleish.

Despite a Soviet goal the Flyers continue to dominate the game protecting Stephenson and generating several great scoring opportunities on Tretiak.

After the sixty minutes of play was over the Flyers received a standing ovation by the ecstatic fans who created a sell-out for that historic match-up.

When asked about the game Captain Bobby Clarke said “ This doesn't prove Canadian hockey is better than theirs. It just means the Flyers are better than their best.”

Warren Shaw

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