Sunday, May 19, 2013

May 19, 1974: The Flyers Win the Cup

On May 19, 1974, with a 1-0 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Philadelphia Flyers became the first expansion era team to win the Stanley Cup. The Bruins held home ice advantage and had won the last 17 of 19 against the Flyers in Boston before the series began, so the squad out of Philly were huge underdogs. After losing the first game, Philadelphia came back and took Game 2 in overtime before the series shifted back to The City of Brotherly Love knotted up at one apiece. The Flyers won both games on their home ice before the series went back to Beantown. With their backs against the wall the Bruins cruised to a 5-1 win in Game 5 and hoped that they could win the next one in Philly. The Flyers goalie Bernie Parent would dash any hope the Bruins had. Rick Macleish scored what would prove to be the game winner for the Flyers late in the first period, from there Parent stood tall in net and didn't let a shot get through. Parent took home the Conn Smythe as the MVP of the playoffs. Parent held the Bruins to just three goals in Games 3, 4, and 6 which included the outstanding shutout effort in the final game of the series.One day after the Flyers won Lord Stanley's Cup, Philadelphia held the largest celebration championship parade in the history of the city. More than 2 million people stood along Broad Street to celebrate as the Champions rolled through Philadelphia.

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