Bob Kelly’s 1975 Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Flyers to be celebrated at the 120th PSWA Banquet in January
By Sam Carchidi, The Hockey News, PSWA Past President
It’s fitting that Bob Kelly will represent the 1975 Stanley Cup champion Flyers at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association’s 120th banquet on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Cherry Hill, NJ.
The year 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary since Kelly and the Flyers beat Buffalo to win the Cup.
Kelly was the offensive hero in the Flyers’ Cup-clinching, 2-0 win in Game 6 in Buffalo. Nicknamed “Hound” and known for his relentless play, Kelly broke a scoreless tie early in the third period.
At the start of the third, Kelly was moved to the top line, alongside Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach. Kelly usually played on a lower line.
“It had been a back-and-forth game, and no one was really getting an edge on anybody,” Kelly said. “I was well-rested, that’s for sure.”
Kelly chased a puck behind the Sabres’ net and took a nasty check from Jerry Korab, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound defenseman. Clarke cleverly shielded Korab off the play, enabling Kelly to pick up the loose puck and spin out front, where he beat goalie Roger Crozier with a backhander 11 seconds into the period.
“I was at the right place at the right time,” Kelly said, modestly, “but it took so many other goals (that season) before we were able to get into that type of situation.”
It remains the only Cup-clinching goal the Flyers have ever scored on the road.
