I remember the Broad Street Bullies too well.
They capitalized on flaws in the rule book to intimidate their opponents. They perfected the art of taking out their opponent's top players with their "lesser skilled" players. Anti-violence rules were put in place because of Flyers tactics (instigator penalties,elimination of bench clearing brawls).
The main reason why their style worked was the man between the pipes. Bernie Parent. For 2 seasons, he was unbeatable.
In the 1975 Finals the Sabres thoroughly outplayed the Flyers but the Sabres could get nothing behind Parent, meanwhile Sabre netminding was horrible. Shero called the Sabre goalies "a couple of basket cases".
I was one of the ones that cheered when the Canadiens won in 1976.
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