Cullen Masters was a hockey player for the Manayunk Cheiftains in 1980. In January 14 of that year, the Cheiftains played the Fishtown Dock Rats. During the game Masters, as a defenseman for the Cheiftans, had several physical run-in with opposing player Tommy Flanagan. Masters repeatedly cross-checked Tommy, earning him time in penalty box. Years later, he would say Tommy "kept getting in (his) face" and "didn't know when to quit." Masters threatened Tommy in front of several witnesses after he cross-checked Tommy for the final time, which led to Masters being ejected from the game and Tommy being granted a game-winning penalty shot.