Philadelphia Flyers: 5 Freakiest Moments in Flyers History

The Philadelphia Flyers have a rich history. The focus in this slideshow, however, is on their unusual or "freaky" moments.

freak·y

   [free-kee] – adjective, freak·i·er, freak·i·est. 1. freakish. 2. Slang . a. frightening. b. weird; strange. c. of or pertaining to freaks

(courtesy of Dictionary.com)

5. Kate Smith Singing "God Bless America"

Nowadays, Kate Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" duet with Lauren Hart is heard commonly before big Flyers games.

However, the first time it was done the crowd was kind of "weirded out" so to speak.

Flyers vice president Lou Schienfield had become upset with the lack of enthusiasm of the crowd during the national anthem before home games. America at the time was in an all-time low of patriotism.

Lou Schienfield decided something needed to be done.

When Kate's "God Bless America" played for the first time, it was not welcomed with open arms.

The crowd let out several not-so-nice comments during the song.

The Flyers went on to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3. As always, a good old win can turn a frown upside down. The song went on to become embedded in Flyers tradition for years to come.

Flyers vice president Lou Schiefied

4. Leon Stickle's Blown Call

For those that don't know, Leon Stickle failed to signal an obvious offside on the Islanders who scored a goal on the missed call. 

The goal would help the Isles clinch the series as they went on to win Game 6 in OT.

While many fans revile Stickle, I still blame the defenseman that let up on the play.

I might never have had the athletic talent to play any sport professionally. But there is one thing I know about sports: ALWAYS PLAY TO THE WHISTLE!

3. Of Bat and Fog....

In the 1975 finals, a bat swooped in and dive bombed several Flyers players.

Instead of letting the agent of evil attack his foes, a Buffalo Sabres player swats the bat with his stick.

The bat dies and Flyers winger Rick Mcleash picks up the dead bat barehanded (ew gross!) and flings it off the ice.

Moments later a fog sets in and the Flyers lose the game.

The fog was creepy as it could not be explained. Buffalo at the time experienced an uncharacteristic heat wave. The arena did not even have air conditioning.

The bat most likely found shelter in the arena, and woke up during the game.

2. Eric Lindros' Collapsed Lung

In 1999, the Flyers looked poised to make another playoff run behind captain Eric Lindros and newly signed free-agent goalie John Vanbiesbrouck.

In April of 1999, in a game against the Nashville Predators, Eric Lindros received a crosscheck to his midsection.

Later that night, his roommate Keith Jones found him very ill inside their hotel room.

Lindros would be rushed to the hospital where doctors determined he suffered from internal bleeding. The bleeding caused his lung to collapse.

He almost died.

With the signing of John Vanbiesbrouck the previous offseason, this was supposed to be the year. The Flyers had the starting goalie they needed to backstop the Legion of Doom.

When the news broke on Eric Lindros' injury, I remember feeling relieved he would live. But I also remember feeling like the rug got pulled out from under me.

I knew the season was over.

The Flyers would go on to lose in the first round to Toronto.

1. Patrick Kane's Game-Winning Goal

This event earns its No. 1 rating due to consequences. The Philadelphia Flyers magic ride ended without a Stanley Cup.

Earlier in that game, Jeff Carter failed to slam dunk a wide open net shot. That would have won the game.

In overtime, though, Patrick Kane would slam dunk what should have been an easy save for Michael Leighton.

I remember watching the game. The puck let out a ring, and was thought by everyone, besides Patrick Kane, to have bounced off the far post.

"Either Kane is the biggest idiot or Leighton let in a cupcake goal" were my thoughts as I dropped to my knees on my living room floor.

In hindsight, my theory is this: The bat's ghost guided that puck into the net.

On a serious note, had the Flyers at least forced a Game 7, that would have been the most impressive run ever. They needed a last-game shootout with division-rival NY Rangers to get into the playoffs.

They fired their coach at mid-season. They suffered through umpteen goalie injuries!

Then the 3-0 comeback against Boston. Had they won the cup, oh man, if only Leighton could have made that pond-hockey save!

If you guys have any comments or other events you can think of, let me know! Thanks, and enjoy!