1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers season

The 1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 13th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). This team owns the longest unbeaten streak in North American sports history in 35 consecutive games without a loss, from October 14 to January 6.[2][3][4] The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Finals but lost in six games to the New York Islanders.

1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers
Campbell Conference champions
Patrick Division champions
Division1st Patrick
Conference1st Campbell
1979–80 record48–12–20
Home record27–5–8
Road record21–7–12
Goals for327 (2nd)
Goals against254 (7th)
Team information
PresidentRobert Butera
General managerKeith Allen
CoachPat Quinn
CaptainMel Bridgman
Alternate captainsNone[lower-alpha 1]
ArenaSpectrum
Average attendance17,077[1]
Minor league affiliate(s)Maine Mariners
Toledo Goaldiggers
Hampton Aces
Team leaders
GoalsReggie Leach (50)
AssistsBobby Clarke (57)
Ken Linseman (57)
PointsKen Linseman (79)
Penalty minutesPaul Holmgren (267)
Plus/minusJimmy Watson (+53)
WinsPete Peeters (29)
Goals against averageRick St. Croix (2.00)

Off-season

On August 10, 1979, Bobby Clarke was named a player-assistant coach.[5] In order to become an assistant coach, Clarke must give up the captaincy due to NHL rules.[6] Mel Bridgman was named Clarke's replacement as team captain on October 11.[7]

Regular season

The Flyers went undefeated for a North American professional sports record 35 straight games (25–0–10), a record that still stands to this day.[2] In doing so, the Flyers wrapped up the Patrick Division title with 14 games to spare and the #1 overall seed in the playoffs.

Season standings
Patrick Division
  GP W L T GF GA Pts
Philadelphia Flyers80481220327254116
New York Islanders8039281328124791
New York Rangers8038321030828486
Atlanta Flames8035321328226983
Washington Capitals8027401326129367

[8]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Playoffs

The Flyers' regular-season success continued into the playoffs, as the Flyers swept a young Wayne Gretzky and his Edmonton Oilers in the first round, then went on to get revenge against Fred Shero and his Rangers by beating them in five before disposing of Minnesota in five to lock up a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals. Facing the Islanders for the Cup, the Flyers would ultimately lose in six games on Bob Nystrom's overtime Cup-winning goal. The end result of the series was marred by controversy, as the Islanders were arguably offside on the play that resulted in their second goal in Game 6, but no call was made. Linesman Leon Stickle admitted after the game that he had blown the call.[9]

Schedule and results

Regular season
1979–80 regular season
October: 6–1–1 (Home: 5–0–1; Road: 1–1–0)
November: 11–0–2 (Home: 6–0–0; Road: 5–0–2)
December: 7–0–7 (Home: 4–0–4; Road: 3–0–3)
January: 10–2–2 (Home: 4–0–1; Road: 6–2–1)
February: 7–2–2 (Home: 3–1–1; Road: 4–1–1)
March: 6–6–5 (Home: 4–3–1; Road: 2–3–4)
April: 1–1–1 (Home: 1–1–0; Road: 0–0–1)

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs
1980 Stanley Cup playoffs
Preliminary Round vs. Edmonton Oilers - Flyers win 3–0
Quarterfinals vs. New York Rangers - Flyers win 4–1
Semifinals vs. Minnesota North Stars - Flyers win 4–1
Stanley Cup Finals vs. New York Islanders - Islanders win 4–2

Legend:   Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring
  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
  • = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Age Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
14, 26Ken Linseman21C802257792610717418221340
27Reggie Leach29RW76502676402819971686
14, 26Brian Propp20LW80344175455419510151229
7Bill Barber27LW79403272391719129211023
16Bobby Clarke30C76125769426519812201016
19Rick MacLeish30LW78313566232819961512
17Paul Holmgren24RW7430356535267181010201547
10Mel Bridgman24C7416314713136192911870
2Bob Dailey26D6113263930711941317922
9Bob Kelly29LW751520351912219112−138
3Behn Wilson21D619253421212194913666
11Dennis Ververgaert26RW581417319242000−30
15Al Hill24LW61161026145319358319
25Norm Barnes26D5942125235910000−28
20Jimmy Watson27D71518235351150441620
22Tom Gorence22RW518132171515336618
21, 28Mike Busniuk28D71218203993192461723
12John Paddock25LW323710−436320200
6Andre Dupont30D5817837107190442150
5Frank Bathe25D4707771111000−10
29Jack McIlhargey27D260447959000125
23Dave Gardner27C211210——————
21Gary Morrison24RW302200501122
21Don Gillen19RW110110——————
34Dennis Patterson30D3011−10——————
8Blake Wesley20D2011−32——————
31Phil Myre31G41000N/A376000N/A0
33Pete Peeters22G40000N/A2813000N/A2
30Rick St. Croix25G1000N/A0——————

Goaltending
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Age GP GS W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP GS W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
31Phil Myre3141401871511271413.58.87502,362:436651201162.50.9201383:56
33Pete Peeters224039295510611082.73.89812,370:27131385377372.79.9021796:57
30Rick St. Croix25111002522.00.920060:00——————————

Awards and records

Awards
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League (annual) Jack Adams Award Pat Quinn [10]
Lester Patrick Trophy[lower-alpha 2] Bobby Clarke [11]
Ed Snider
League (in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Bill Barber [12][13]
Norm Barnes
Reggie Leach[lower-alpha 3]
Rick MacLeish
Pete Peeters
Brian Propp
Jimmy Watson
Team Barry Ashbee Trophy Norm Barnes [14]
Class Guy Award Andre Dupont [14]

Records
  •    NHL record
  •    Tied for NHL record

Individual
Franchise player records set during the 1979–80 season
Record Type Total Player Date(s) Opponent Ref
Assists, playoffs Game 4[lower-alpha 4] Bob Dailey 5/1/1980 Minnesota North Stars [15]
Points by a defenseman, playoffs Game 5 Bob Dailey 5/1/1980 Minnesota North Stars [16]
Shorthanded goals scored, playoffs Series 3 Bill Barber — Minnesota North Stars [17]
Shorthanded goals scored, playoffs Season 3 Bill Barber — — [18]
Game-winning goals, playoffs Season 4[lower-alpha 5] Bill Barber — — [18]
Highest plus-minus, playoffs Season +21 Andre Dupont — — [19]

Team
Franchise team records set during the 1979–80 season
Record Type Total Date(s) Opponent Refs
Games undefeated at home Streak 26[lower-alpha 6] 10/11/1979 – 2/3/1980 — [20]
Games undefeated Streak 35[lower-alpha 7] 10/14/1979 – 1/6/1980 — [20]
Games undefeated on the road Streak 16[lower-alpha 8] 10/20/1979 – 1/6/1980 — [20]
Powerplay goals against Game 6 2/19/1980 Colorado Rockies [21]
Fewest losses Season 12 — — [22]
Fewest road losses Season 7 — — [23]
Most home wins, playoffs Season 9[lower-alpha 9] — —

Milestones
Individual career milestones[24]
Milestone Player Details Date Ref
600th assist Bobby Clarke Primary assist on Reggie Leach's even-strength goal at 11:38 of the first period October 14, 1979 [25]

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 22, 1979, the day after the deciding game of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 24, 1980, the day of the deciding game of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals.[26]

Trades
Date Details Ref
June 7, 1979 To Philadelphia Flyers
Phil Myre		 To St. Louis Blues
Blake Dunlop
Rick Lapointe		 [27]
August 16, 1979 To Philadelphia Flyers
3rd-round pick in 1981		 To Washington Capitals
Wayne Stephenson		 [28]
September 4, 1979 To Philadelphia Flyers
conditional 3rd or 4th-round pick in 1981[lower-alpha 10]		 To Detroit Red Wings
Dennis Sobchuk		 [29]
January 2, 1980 To Philadelphia Flyers
Jack McIlhargey		 To Vancouver Canucks
cash		 [30]

Free agency

The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.

Date Player Previous team (league) Term Ref
August 8, 1979Dennis PattersonMaine Mariners (AHL)[31]
September 4, 1979Fred WilliamsPhiladelphia Firebirds (AHL)[32]
September 28, 1979Greg AdamsVictoria Cougars (WHL)[33]
October 10, 1979Sam St. LaurentChicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)[34]
October 25, 1979Tim KerrKingston Canadians (OMJHL)[35]
October 28, 1979Marc-Andre MarchandHull Olympiques (QMJHL)3-year[36]
October 31, 1979Dan BarberToronto Marlboros (OMJHL)
January 21, 1980Dave GardnerBinghamton Dusters (AHL)[37]

Internal

The following players were either re-signed by the Flyers or, in the case of the team's selections in the NHL Entry Draft, signed to contracts.

Date Player Term Ref
June 12, 1979Frank Bathemulti-year
September 4, 1979Brian Propp (DP)multi-year[32]
September 4, 1979Blake Wesley (DP)[32]
September 4, 1979Lindsay Carson (DP)[32]
September 4, 1979Don Gillen (DP)[32]
September 4, 1979Gord Williams (DP)[32]

NHL Reclamation

The Flyers held the NHL rights to the following five players who had played the previous season in the World Hockey Association (WHA).[38] They reclaimed one player on June 9, 1979.[38]

Philadelphia Flyers held NHL rights to the following WHA players[38]
Player WHA team Status How Flyers originally acquired NHL rights Ref
Serge BeaudoinBirmingham BullsNot reclaimed1972 7th-round pick[39]
Ron ChipperfieldEdmonton OilersNot reclaimedDecember 11, 1974, trade[40]
John McKenzieHartford WhalersNot reclaimedAugust 3, 1972, trade[41]
Michel ParizeauEdmonton OilersNot reclaimedClaimed off waivers on December 8, 1971[42]
Dennis SobchukEdmonton OilersReclaimed1974 5th-round pick[29]

NHL Expansion Draft

The 1979 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 13, 1979.[38][43] It featured four World Hockey Association (WHA) teams entering the NHL as expansion teams, the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets, selecting players from the 17 existing NHL teams.[38] Each NHL team placed 15 skaters and 2 goaltenders on a protected list from which the four expansion teams could not select.[38]

Philadelphia Flyers protection lists at the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft
Status Players
Protected[38] Bill Barber, Mel Bridgman, Bobby Clarke, Bob Dailey, Barry Dean (added after Hoyda selection), Andre Dupont, Paul Evans, Gord Garbutt (added after Cunningham selection), Tom Gorence, Al Hill, Paul Holmgren, Bob Kelly, Reggie Leach, Rick MacLeish, Terry Murray, Phil Myre (G), Dennis Sobchuk (added after Johnston selection), Rick St. Croix (G), Dennis Ververgaert, Jimmy Watson
Selections[38] Winnipeg Jets selected Dave Hoyda in the 5th round (17th overall)
Hartford Whalers selected Bernie Johnston in the 10th round (38th overall)
Winnipeg Jets selected Jim Cunningham in the 13th round (49th overall)
Hartford Whalers selected M. F. Schurman in the 13th round (51st overall)

Departures

The following players left the team via free agency, release, or retirement. Players who were under contract and left the team during the season are marked with an asterisk (*).

Date Player New team (league) Via Ref
May 31, 1979Bernie Parent—Retirement[44]

Draft picks
See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, on August 9, 1979.[45]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (league) Notes
1 14 Brian Propp Left Wing  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
2 22 Blake Wesley Defense  Canada Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) [lower-alpha 11]
2 35 Pelle Lindbergh Goaltender  Sweden AIK (Elitserien)
3 56 Lindsay Carson Center  Canada Billings Bighorns (WHL)
4 77 Don Gillen Right Wing  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
5 98 Thomas Eriksson Defense  Sweden Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
6 119 Gord Williams Forward  Canada Lethbridge Broncos (WHL)

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Maine Mariners of the AHL,[47][48] the Toledo Goaldiggers of the IHL,[49] and the Hampton Aces of the Eastern Hockey League.[49]

Notes
  1. The alternate captain position was abolished from the 1975–76 season through the 1984–85 season.
  2. Former Flyers coach Fred Shero also given award
  3. Named All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
  4. Tied five times by five different players. See List of Philadelphia Flyers records.
  5. Tied Rick MacLeish's total from the 1973–74 season and subsequently tied by Danny Briere during the 2009–10 season.
  6. 19 wins and 7 ties.
  7. 25 wins and 10 ties.
  8. 11 wins and 5 ties.
  9. Tied mark set in the 1973–74 season and subsequently tied during the 2009–10 season.
  10. Received 4th-round pick.
  11. The Flyers traded the 1978 second-round pick acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the 1976 Dave Schultz trade to the Colorado Rockies for the Rockies' 1979 second-round pick, 22nd overall, on June 15, 1978.[46]

References
General
Specific
  1. "All Time Team Attendance". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  2. "Flyers History - The Streak". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  3. "Old Flyers know what makes a streak". ESPN. February 27, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  4. "Blackhawks' streak ends at 24 with loss to Avalanche". NHL.com. March 8, 2013. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  5. "Clarke, Watson added to Flyers' coaching staff". Ottawa Journal. August 11, 1979. p. 24. Retrieved December 20, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Flyers History - Hall of Fame Profile - Bobby Clarke". P. Anson. FlyersHistory.net. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  7. "Bridgman Named Captain". The Gettysburg Times. October 12, 1979. p. 15. Retrieved December 20, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 152. ISBN 9781894801225.
  9. Blumenstock, Kathy (June 2, 1980). "Putting the Hammer to the Old Bugaboo". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  10. "Jack Adams Award". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  11. "Lester Patrick Trophy". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  12. "32nd NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  13. 2014–15 NHL Official Guide & Record Book, p. 234
  14. "Flyers History – Team Awards". P.Anson. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  15. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 350
  16. "Stanley Cup Playoffs Record Book, 1981–2011 Page 2". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  17. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 349
  18. "NHL.com - Stats". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  19. "NHL.com - Stats". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  20. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 259
  21. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 261
  22. "NHL.com - Stats". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  23. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 244
  24. "Flyers History - All-Time Milestone Award Winners". P.Anson. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  25. "Flyers History - Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". P.Anson. Retrieved August 15, 2015. 14-Oct-79 Toronto Maple Leafs 3 @ Philadelphia Flyers 4
  26. "Hockey Transactions Search Results". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  27. "Flyers Obtain Goalie". AP. The Gettysburg Times. June 8, 1979. Retrieved December 14, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. "Flyers trade goaltender". AP. Ottawa Journal. August 17, 1979. Retrieved December 14, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. "Dennis Sobchuk - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  30. "John McIlhargey - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  31. "Dennis Patterson - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  32. "NHL draft picks having pecuniary problems". AP. Ottawa Journal. September 5, 1979. Retrieved December 14, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. "Gregory Adams - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  34. "Samuel St. Laurent - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  35. "Tim Kerr - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  36. Gallagher, Danny (October 29, 1979). "Hull defenceman signs with Philadelphia Flyers". Ottawa Journal. Retrieved December 19, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. "Dave Gardner - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  38. Parsons, Mark (October 11, 2013). "The 1979 'NHL' Expansion' Draft". Historical Hockey Stats & Trivia. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  39. "Serge Beaudoin - Stats". NHL.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  40. "Ronald Chipperfield - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  41. "John McKenzie - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  42. "Michel Parizeau - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  43. "Flyers Lose Hoyda In Draft". AP. The Gettysburg Times. June 14, 1979. Retrieved December 14, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. "Parent's eye injury forces his retirement". AP. Lakeland Ledger. June 1, 1979. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  45. "1979 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  46. "1979 NHL Entry Draft Pick Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  47. "AHL Franchise Statistics". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  48. "AHL Season Overview: 1979–80". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  49. "Non-AHL Affiliates". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.