THE Hound AND THE Hammer

Hockey's badmen occupy a special niche in the lore of the sport, but seldom are they essential to a team's success. They go to the penalty box a good deal, providing the other side choice opportunities to score. If they lean too sharply on the enemy's meek, sooner or later will come heavy retribution. Purists don't like them much; they interrupt what should be a quicksilver flow of swift and purposeful action,

But once in a while these heavies can mean the difference between triumph and mere trying, as the division-leading Philadelphia Flyers so clearly demonstrate. Bob (Hound) Kelly, above, and Dave (Hammer) Schultz, below and in full fist at right, are the commandos who soften defenses for hot sticks like Bobby Clarke and Rick MacLeish and belt squatters off the front porch of Philly's goalie, Bernie Parent, at present the outstanding netminder in the National Hockey League and a man with nine shutouts. Turn these pages for more Hound and Hammer, followed by Mark Mulvoy's appraisal.

Most things about the Flyers involve restraint. By failing to observe it, they get it—from the officials. Linesmen have to restrain Kelly (left) and Schultz (below) in mid-mayhem so often they should get hazardous-duty pay. Normally Flyer Coach Fred Shero is a model of restraint on the bench. That is the unrestrained Shero at the right. He has jumped up to stab a finger at Schultz. He is saying either (1) "Look at him, he's innocent, innocent," or (2) "Don't take stupid penalties, Schultz. Take somebody with you." The Hammer usually does.

SEVEN PHOTOS

MELCHIOR DI GIACOMO