Cold War in Philly: Flyers vs. Russia 1976

The Cold War wasn’t just fought in politics…it hit the ice. On January 11, 1976, the Philadelphia Flyers took on the legendary Soviet Red Army in one of the most iconic games in hockey history. That story comes to life in “Cold War in Philly,” an 80-minute documentary that captures a defining, Cold War era moment in hockey history through firsthand accounts.

Known for their speed, precision, and discipline, the Soviet squad had taken the hockey world by storm – until they arrived in Philadelphia. What awaited them at the Spectrum was a team, and a city, that refused to be intimidated.

Fueled by grit, pride, and a deep-seated distrust of their Cold War rivals, the Flyers and their fans turned the game into something far bigger than hockey. When the puck finally dropped, tensions erupted into one of the most unforgettable clashes in the sport’s history.

This screening is hosted by Emmy Award winner and film historian Joe Amodei, President/CEO of Virgil Films & Entertainment. Cold War in Philly is Joe’s directorial debut.

Joe will be joined by Larry “Izzy” Goodenough, a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman who played six seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks. He won the Stanley Cup with Philadelphia in 1975.

The evening will be moderated by Mike Sielski, the author of five books, including The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality, Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk, and Going the Distance: Stallone, Philly, and the Story of ROCKY, which will be published in November. A cohost on Sports Radio 94 WIP, he has been a sports columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and Inquirer.com since 2013 and was formerly a reporter at The Wall Street Journal. He lives in Doylestown with his wife and two sons.