 When Parent suffered a pinched nerve in his neck during the 1975-1976 pre season that required surgery, Stephenson became the Flyers starting goaltender and retained the job when Parent returned late in the season but couldn't regain his previous All Star form.During that year, Stephenson allowed one goal in the Flyers' win over the Soviet Red Army hockey team, a victory Stephenson referred to as the highlight of his career.Stephenson sought a salary increase to reflect his new responsibilities and value to the team in 1976 but management held firm and he returned to the Philadelphia lineup after a two-month holdout.