In the wake of last season's finish at the bottom of the NHL standings, the Philadelphia Flyers have been seeking vengeance all year long -- or at least their marketing department would have us think so. But as it turns out, one of their key players really is out for vengeance against the Montreal Canadiens this year.
So who's the player who can't let go of a grudge? How about goalie, Quebec native and ex-Nordiques fan, Martin Biron?
"I used to paint my face blue and white as a kid," the 30-year-old Biron recalled. "We were big fans. My parents had season tickets in the early '80s for a few years. We used to go down for games."So you say you've never seen that brawl before? Fear not, my friends, we've got it for you after the jump.Nords fans still talk about the Good Friday brawl in 1984 at the Montreal Forum: fourteen fights. So many, in fact, that referee Bruce Hood lost track of who was tossed from the game and who was not.
"My parents still talk about that game," Biron said. "How the Canadiens cheated. It runs deep. People who are Quebec fans will always be Nordiques fans. It runs deep within families. They will always have that feeling inside them."
It's hard not to feel a little empathy for Biron, and for fans of the three WHA franchises who joined the NHL in time for the 1979-80 season, only to eventually relocate far from their original homes.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Here's a thumbs-up to that last paragraph, Eric. Nicely done!
Posted at 7:18PM on May 1st 2008 by Whale4ever
2. big ups to marty biron for helping knock off those cats up the SLS. noone really knows how intense that rivalry was back in the day unless you were there. NORDS 4EVER!!!!!
Posted at 5:54AM on May 2nd 2008 by dave
3. Hey ! Way to go Martie ! I hate Montreal too ! They suck big time....ever since they cheated the Bruins by trying to take out Bobby Orr ! Oh yea but so did the Flyers... Well at least Biron admits to hating Habs ...I guess that's a start.. Hey Martie ? Can we Bruins fans hate the flyers too ?,,after you guys kill Habs ? lol
Posted at 1:05PM on May 2nd 2008 by David
4. this is typical "slant" reporting...read the article's main emphasis...marty's vengeance...and then read the normal everyday fan quote of marty's...every fan of any team has a rival...did this reporter have nothing else to make up?
hey folks! i read it, yes! i like hype too...what i'm trying to point out here is the actual "slant" that reporters use...if you have children or young people you are mentoring in your life, let them read this article and show them how rumors begin...very educational
and yes you can hate the flyers after we take out the habs tonight!!
Posted at 3:34PM on May 3rd 2008 by billy10258