Stanley Cup Finals 2011: Bobby Orr Adds to His Legend as Bruins Win Stanley Cup

Boston Bruins great and hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr has just added another page to his storied career.

The last time Orr was involved in a Stanley Cup finals as a player, he and the Bruins were favored to win the Stanley Cup against the upstart Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers, featuring Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Rick MacLeish, Dave Schultz and goaltender Bernie Parent, upset the Boston Bruins and won the Stanley Cup, shocking the city of Boston in the process.

The Flyers even brought out their secret weapon to assure they won the Cup. Their secret weapon was Kate Smith.

You know Kate Smith; The Philadelphia resident who made the Irving Berlin song “God Bless America” a hit and definite favorite at Flyers hockey games.

Old time Bruins fans might remember that the Flyers called upon Smith to sing prior to the start of the Boston-Philadelphia playoff games in the Philadelphia Spectrum.

Kate Smith was a lucky charm during the series in 1974 and Bernie Parent, in the words of Orr himself, "stood on his head in the series.” Knowing the influence of Kate Smith and "God Bless America," Orr and Phil Esposito tried to break the string by greeting Smith and giving her flowers prior to the start of Game 6.

It did not work, and the Flyers captain Bobby Clarke skated the cup around the rink, celebrating their victory with Bernie Parent taking home the Conn Smythe.

Despite his knee problems, Orr could not, at the time, know that this would be his last opportunity to win the Stanley Cup.

At least until June 2011, when the Bruins, backstopped by Tim Thomas, wrestled the Cup away from the favored Vancouver Canucks with Orr in TD Garden for Game 4 waving the flag for injured Nathan Horton.

The Bruins management, utilizing some inspired marketing and fan motivation, held a special night bringing out their own secret weapon. They named Orr the honorary Bruins captain, and the Boston favorite did not disappoint.

Ironically, The Bruins won that game scoring four goals with No. 4 in the audience.

Yes, No. 4 was at Game 4, and the Bruins scored four goals.

As you know, the Boston Bruins, behind the fabulous goaltending of Tim Thomas and the fan support of Beantown, won the Cup.

This time Orr was the good luck charm.

No, he can’t sing, but he can wave a flag and motivate a stadium of fans and a hockey team.

God Bless Bobby Orr.

Jessica White Anna Friel Monica Bellucci Minki van der Westhuizen Katharine Towne