Clarke emotional over fans' reaction

Bob Clarke could not contain his emotions.

It had nothing to do with the Flyers' 3-1 win over the New York Rangers in Saturday's Winter Classic alumni game at Citizens Bank Park.

It had everything to do with the loud, sellout crowd that chanted and celebrated seeing Flyers players from every decade of the franchise's existence.

Clarke, the one-time star who is now the Flyers senior vice president, was dumbfounded by the crowd's response and became teary-eyed when he talked about it.

"You couldn't imagine something like that for an alumni game," he said. "It's just incredible. I think it's a real tribute to Ed Snider and the Flyers organization and the great players that have come through this organization to have this many people come out and cheer an alumni team.

"There is no city in North American that would do this."

Clarke captained the Flyers' only two Stanley Cup championships, back in 1974 and 1975.

"I think a game like this will rank way up when I consider the important moments of my hockey life," he said.

Clarke, Bill Barber and Reggie Leach played about 15 minutes each; they were on the ice more than any of the team's lines.

"It shouldn't have been. It just took us a long time to get off," Clarke cracked.

The LCB Line did not manage any shots.

Mark Howe, the recently inducted NHL Hall of Fame defenseman, was the person behind the tribute to the late Brad McCrimmon. The Flyers Alumni team wore black patches with the No. 10 on it to honor McCrimmon, who died in a plane crash on Sept. 7 in Russia, where he was a hockey coach.

McCrimmon played for the Flyers from 1982-87 and he and Howe were the best of friends.

"About a month ago I requested to do it and the entire organization thought it would be a great idea," said Howe, who scored the Flyers' third goal. "Brad was a very important part of the team in the '80's and a dear friend to a lot of people in the locker room and it was only fitting he be remembered as part of the team."

Howe said that McCrimmon's family wasn't at Saturday's game but is expected to attend the Winter Classic on Monday when the Flyers meet the Rangers at Citizens Bank Park.

One of the stars of the game was Flyers goalie Mark Laforest, who didn't allow a single goal, turning back 16 shots.

Laforest says he stays in some sort of game shape by playing in NHL charity games and also competing in some local games in Ontario.

"Had I not done that it would have been a hallowing experience," Laforest said.

Laforest replaced Bernie Parent after the 66-year-old goalie played the first 5 minutes, 32 seconds.

"Did you hear the crowd respond to Bernie Parent," asked Laforest. "I was a big fan of his and he taught me while I was here and it was great to come in net and we just had a ball."

Shjon Podein had five shots and John LeClair had four to lead the Flyers alumni. . . . Podein scored the Flyers' second goal. "When you score a goal and your kids see you on the big screen in a city that you love to be in is really special," Podein said. . . . Brian Propp played a team-high 16:11. . . . The Rangers' Brian Leetch played a staggering 29:44 and played almost the entire third period.