Spittin' Chiclets Episode 635: Featuring Rick Middleton

Spittin' Chiclets Episode 635, featuring Bruins legend Rick Middleton, delivers a powerful blend of hockey nostalgia, emotional depth, and heartfelt tributes. The episode opens with analysis of the Eastern Conference playoff race, spotlighting the Islanders’ dramatic Easter Sunday coaching change from Patrick Waugh to Peter DeBoer, the Buffalo Sabres’ miraculous resurgence, and the Flyers’ unexpected playoff push fueled by rookie Porter Martone’s breakout. The centerpiece is a deeply personal and candid conversation with Middleton, who shares vivid stories from his career—ranging from the iconic 1972 Cup Final game-winning goal and the infamous 'too many men' penalty in the 1979 semifinal to the raw culture of 1970s hockey, with its bar life at Daisy Buchanan’s and Sully’s Tap. Middleton reflects on the physical brutality of the era, his transition from the Rangers to Boston under Don Cherry, and the emotional toll of losing close series to Montreal. The tone shifts profoundly as the hosts pay tribute to Middleton’s close friend Laura, who passed away on Easter Sunday, honoring her selfless spirit and unexpected role as the Bruins’ mascot during an internship. The episode concludes with a heart-wrenching yet uplifting reflection on the recent passing of Middleton’s daughter, Blades, whose legacy is celebrated through stories of her kindness and strength, especially her willingness to wear a sweaty 'Blades' costume at a youth event. The hosts use these losses to underscore life’s fragility and the importance of cherishing family and loved ones, ending on a note of hope tied to springtime renewal and the return to outdoor life.