The Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers clubbed the previously undefeated Soviet Central Army team, 4-1, yesterday--but only after the Russians twice refused to play. The Soviet team refused to warm up before the game when Philadelphia fans hung placards protesting Russian treatment of Jews. Security personnel removed the signs, and a violent first period began.
Soviet coach Constantine Loktev sent his team to the dressing room when Flyers defenseman Ed Van Impe decked high-scoring Soviet star Valeri Kharlamov midway through a scoreless first period.
While Lokev protested the officiating, referee Lloyd Gilmour penalized the Russian team two minutes for delay of game.
The Flyers convinced the Soviet team to return to the ice after 14 minutes. Star right wing Reggie Leach put the Flyers in front with a deflection of Bill Barber's shot only 17 seconds later. The Flyers never trailed.
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