NHL Historical Replay

[George_Bell]

1962-63 NHL Season Preview





Top Player



Pierre Pilote will be sitting out the first few months of the season after fracturing his skull in a car accident, so the top player, entering the season, healthy, is 22 year old Stan Mikita, who edged out Jean Beliveau, Dave Keon, Frank Mahovlich and Gordie Howe.

Top Goalie



Glenn Hall continues to be rated as the top goalie, but this golden age of goalies is drawing to a close. Hall, Sawchuk, Plante, Bower, and Worsley are all in their 30’s. A new generation is just around the corner.

[George_Bell]

1962-63 NHL Regular Season

Jean Beliveau opens the season reaching the 900 point milestone in his 834th game. He’s the 6th player in league history to hit the mark, and did it in the least amount of time. Beliveau is only 31!


Beliveau is poised to set records!

Another milestone, Gordie Howe is the first player in history to hit the 1000 point mark!! 1000 points is a lot, incase you were wondering! He did it in 961 games! A few weeks later, Howe scored his 500th goal, which means he also just passed Maurice Richard for most goals scored!! Richard retired at 490. Howe should get to 600 easily!!


Howe celebrating #500!

At new years, the Montreal Canadiens are 25-6-3, laughing at the notion of parody. Every other team is under 500. The Habs are so good this year, the league is under .500!! amazing season so far for Montreal!


Montreal dominating on the ice this year!

Here is something I’ve never looked at. Lets take a look at the top paid players in the league. Here is a list of the top paid player on each team.



So, Glenn Hall is the top paid player in Hockey for the 1962/63 season. Terry Sawchuk just signed an extension, that will pay him $97,000 over the next three seasons. A raise of around 150% for the star goalie.


Sawchuk getting a raise, and he's probably still underpaid!

Final Standings



Detroit managed to win more games then they lost, but the dominance of Montreal is a complete contrast to last season’s results.

Toronto gets third place, which means we get a Stanley Cup final rematch in the first round of the playoffs. Montreal was only slight favourites last year, and dominated the playoffs, this season, they are expected to dominate the playoffs!



Jean Beliveau finishes the year just 4 points behind Milt Schmidt's old career record of 977 points.

Gordie Howe hits the 40 goal plateau for the 4th time in his career. Maurice Richard only did it 3 times. Howe, at 34, is the oldest player to ever score 40. It's actually the third time he's scored 40 goals since he turned 30!! Howe is becoming better instead of declining!

Here are the 40 goal seasons in NHL History

[George_Bell]

1963 NHL Playoffs


Montreal vs Toronto

Montreal dominates the Leafs in the opener of their series. The refs helped the Habs out as well. Toronto gets 24 PIM’s, while Montreal doesn’t spend a second in the box. With the Leafs spending half the game short handed, Montreal had an easy time. Dickie Moore got the hattrick. Montral wins 6-0! The penalty box again only worked on the Toronto side of the ice in game two. Junior Langlois was kicked out of the game after an illegal check to the head. Toronto took 19 PIM’s, compared to Montreal’s 2. Still, Toronto found themselves in this game. Despite only getting 7 shots, the Leafs had it tied at 2 until Dickie Moore scored the winner with 41 seconds remaining. Habs take it 3-2!


Dickie Moore with 5 goals in the first 2 games!

Back in Toronto, the Leaf fans gave an unkind welcome to the officials working the game. If felt like the refs wanted to appease Leaf fans. Montreal got 18 PIM’s, while Toronto had a single minor penalty called. Still, the Habs were the better team despite having less players on the ice. George Armstrong scored twice, as Montreal doubled up the Leafs 4-2. That was a statement game for the Habs. Toronto came out like a team facing elimination in game four. JP Parise opened the scoring a minute in, and Frank Mahovlich dominated. He scored twice, and assisted on 2 others, as Toronto gets the easy 5-1 win.


Mahovlich's 4 points keep the Leafs alive!

The Leafs jump out to an early 2-0 lead back on forum ice, but Dave Keon would assist on Bob Nevin’s 2nd playoff goal, and score two himself to give the Habs a 3-2 lead heading into the third. With the goalie pulled, Wayne Hicks is able to tie the game in the final seconds, forcing overtime. The extra frame didn’t last long. Don McKenney ended the series 1:49 in. Toronto fought, but it was too little, too late. 4-3 Montreal, they win the series in 5.



Detroit vs Boston

Everyone scored in the first period of game one. Well, not everyone, but the Bruins got a 4-2 lead, and used it to hold onto a 5-3 opening game win. Dean Prentice had 3 points for the Bruins. Gordie Howe is kicked out of game two on his first shift, and the Bruins took advantage. Norm Ullman scores the first 3 Bruins goals, and assisted on their final tally. Boston wins 4-1, and has a 2-0 lead heading home. Another Red Wings/Habs final is in jeopardy!


Norm Ullman has the Red Wings on the ropes!

Earl Ingarfield comes up big for a desperate Detroit team facing adversity. He is in on all three Red Wing goals, while the Bruins were held to just 14 shots. Detroit wins a big game three, 3-1. Game four is a back and forth affair, highlighted by a third period with highs and lows for both teams. Norm Ullman scored 30 seconds into the period to give Boston a 2-1 lead. 15 seconds later, Ralph Backstrom tied it. Backstrom scored again 5 minutes later to give Detroit a 3-2 lead. Bruce MacGregor then tied it for Boston a few minutes later. In the final 2 minutes, Dean Prentice gets his 2nd of the game, to give Boston the 4-3 win!


Prentice is the first star of games 1 and 4!

Gump Worlsey and Jacque Plante put on a show in game five. No scoring through one. No scoring through two, and no scoring through three!! A scoreless tie needs overtime. Near the end of the first overtime, Donnie Marshall finds a hole in Jacques Plante’s armor. 1-0 Red Wings stay alive. Boston wants to end the series on home ice. They get off to a quick start with a 2-0 lead in the first. Dean Prentice’s 2nd of the game, and 6th of the series makes it 3-0 early in the 2nd. Detroit manages to cut the lead to one, but that’s as close as they could get. Boston holds on to win it 3-2, and eliminate Detroit!

[George_Bell]

These are the golden years for Montreal. 50 years from now, this is the time we will look back on and say wow, this was Montreal’s time! This year will be the 10th Stanley Cup final Montreal will play in over the last 11 years!! Boston played Montreal twice in that run, and beat them both times. There’s no doubt the Habs will be looking for some revenge. Their offense is significantly better then anyone else in hockey. They are 12-1 over their last 13 playoff games. This series is Montreal’s to lose.

[George_Bell]

Game one is a very even, tight checking affair. The teams traded goals during the first 60 minutes, needing overtime to break a 2-2 tie. With just 30 seconds left in the first extra period, Dave Keon intercepted a pass, and put a quick shot by Jacques Plante! Montreal wins the opener 3-2! Boston jumped out to a 2-0 lead in game two by the five minute mark. Montreal fought back and tied it in the 2nd, and took the lead early in the third. Bruce MacGregor ties it for Boston at the 16:17 mark of the third to force another overtime. This time, the Bruins came out on top with a goal from Ted Green! 4-3 Boston ties the series.


Ted Green's game two overtime goal ties the series!

Game three is the first game that isn’t very close at all. George Armstrong had 2 first period points, while Dickie Moore put up a goal and an assist, giving the Canadiens a 4-1 win to grab the series lead. Boston fights back in game 4, leading 3-0 after a period. Boston put the game on cruise control, and almost blow the game, as Montreal scored twice to make it 3-2 halfway through the third. They held on though to tie the series.


Dickie Moore is the first star of game three!

Dave Keon scored 3 goals, as did teammate Bob Pulford. Bob Nevin had a goal and 4 assists. The biggest blowout in Stanley cup history have the Habs one win away from a three peat. 9-0 Montreal over Boston. Boston was obviously much better in game 6. Tim Horton’s first of the playoffs had them tied with Montreal through 2 periods. In the third though, George Armstrong broke the tie, Bob Nevin added some insurance, and Gerry Melnyk scored an empty netter! 3 straight Montreal goals bury the Bruins. 4-1 Montreal! Series over!

[George_Bell]

[George_Bell]

1963 Offseason News and Notes

Here are the skating leaders for last season



Here are the goalie leaders for last season



Here are the playoff leaders for last season



Jean Beliveau is the league’s MVP for the 5th time, one behind Gordie Howe’s record. I still disagree that the MVP coming from a non playoff team. How valuable can he be if his team didn’t win much? I do admit, Beliveau had a great year though! Here are the rest of the awards.





Maurice Richard has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Maurice will go down has one of the greatest players who ever played, and his induction was a foregone conclusion 20 years ago. Maurice retired holding a lot of records, some which have been broken since, but his single season goal record, a well documented 51, still stands!!



Bernie Parent is a great first pick for the New York Rangers in the NHL draft. Johnny Bower is still a great goalie, but he isn’t getting any younger, and Parent has the potential to be a star. He was the obvious top pick.



Really like Detroit getting Wayne Cashman at 5. Cashman can play any position other then goalie, and is a do everything type of player. He will help any team he plays for win a lot of games. Steal for Detroit. Here is a look at top pick, Bernie Parent.



Didn’t the Rangers do this a few years ago..



New York, for the 2nd time, trades for a mid 30’s, former Norris Trophy winning, Montreal defenseman. Tom Johnson joins former teammate Bill Gadsby with the Rangers. Johnson is 35 now, and obviously past his prime. Johnson was still named a 2nd team all-star this year. Montreal picks up Gilles Tremblay, a 24 year old emerging winger who has 100 points in 219 career games. Tremblay is an excellent defensive forward, who’s starting to chip in on the offensive side. Smart deal by Montreal. They get younger and pick up a good LW.


Tremblay joins the Canadiens

The Habs make another very smart trade a day later.



I like Red Kelly, I like him a lot. He was a great player for a long time. A very long time. He’s 36 years old though, and he isn’t the Red Kelly who was scoring 70 plus points a season. He’s coming off a 46 point campaign, but forward depth isn’t an issue in Toronto. The Leafs give up promising 19 year old Yvan Cournoyer. Yvan has developed a little slowly, but he’s still a teenager. He’s got 80 points in 112 AHL games over the last 2 years. He’s got the talent to be a very good player. Montreal continues to use players, in their prime, and deal them for young assets once that prime ends!!!

[George_Bell]

1963-64 NHL Preview





Team Previews

[George_Bell]

1963-64 NHL Regular Season

Doug Harvey has just played his 1250th career game!! The 39 year old holds the record for most games played, and the only guy close to him is Allan Stanley, who trails by 41 games. Harvey is still a 3 star player. He’s playing 18 minutes a game these days. Boston is struggling badly, so his plus minus is pretty bad for the first time in his career. A sure fire Hall of Famer, Harvey has been named an all-star 6 times, but has never won a individual award.


Noone has played more games then Doug Harvey!

39 year old Johnny Bower is having the best season of his career!! He leads the league in GAA and SP through the first two months of the season. Now, I have development enabled. According to the game, a players peak age is around 24 years old right now. Johnny Bower famously played in the NHL until his late 40’s, and was great. I’m wondering how much the game is taking his real career into account. I am hoping that players import with realistic potentials, and the game’s engine takes it from there. I don’t want Bower playing forever just cuz he did that in real life. I don’t want Jagr playing forever just because he did in real life. This is alternate history. If Gordie Howe ends up playing until 50, I’m gonna be very disappointed.


Johnny Bower still excelling approaching 40!

The Montreal Canadiens are not running away with the NHL like they did last year. At the half way point, the Habs are in first place, but lead the Leafs by just 2 points, and both team have identical goals for and goals against numbers. Detroit is just a few points behind. This looks like another have/have not season. 3 good teams, 3 bad teams.

Tough month for Leafs star Frank Mahovlich. He just suffered a facial cut that required 15 stitches. That injury had him out a week, in his first game back, he suffered another injury that would sideline him for 4 weeks. Major whiplash. Mahovlich was having a career season, with 41 points in 31 games, and had Toronto competing for first place! Those injuries probably hurt any award chase, but if he comes back healthy, the Leafs are very dangerous.


Mahovlich needed 15 stiches to repair his face!! OUCH!!

Norris Trophy winner JC Tremblay is traded at the trade deadline!



In a rather surprising mood, the 25 year old Tremblay is dealt to the Chicago Black Hawks! Chicago gets a defenseman who has become one of the elite players in all of hockey! Tremblay had 43 points in his Norris Trophy season, and had 16 goals and 43 points in just 57 games when he was traded! Detroit gets Ron Stewart. Stewart has been a consistent 20 goal scorer for his whole career. The 31 year old began his career in Detroit, before joining the Hawks in 1956. Stewart had 603 points in 773 games. He’s a solid addition to a playoff team, but that was a hefty price to pay!


Reigning Norris trophy winners aren't usually traded!

Final Standings



Montreal finishes first place, but both Toronto and Detroit allow less goals then the . The Playoffs should be very competitive!



Man, Dave Keon is great. He leads the league in goals, assists, and points, and no one was even close. Keon gets 16 more points then Stan Mikita in 2nd place.

Frank Mahovlich finished with 34 goals in 58 games. Not quite the 50 goal pace that would challenge records, but he’s scoring more and more goals it seems, and looks to have a legit shot at that mark in the next few years!

Red Kelly, in his first year in Toronto, gets just 5 goals, and 41 points, playing every game. Yvan Cournoyer, spent the whole season in Omaha, recording 33 points in 41 games.

JC Tremblay struggled in his 11 Chicago games. He put up 6 points, a -4, and a 54 game rating. Ron Stewart had 8 points in 13 games, while playing more minutes then he ever has.

[George_Bell]

1964 NHL Playoffs


Montreal vs. Detroit

Detroit and Montreal have a bit of a rivalry going over the past 15 years. They usually meet in the finals, but we get a 1st round series this year. Ron Stewart, the Wings trade deadline acquisition scores late in the first to give the Wings a 2-1 lead. Gordie Howe then takes over, getting in on 3 Red Wings goals, finishing with 4 points on the night, leading Detroit to a 6-3 win. Game two starts the same way as the first. Montreal scores first, the Wings grab the lead back before the end of the period. Ron Stewart gets both first period goals for Detroit. Like game one again, the Wings keep scoring, and end up winning 6-3 again.


Gordie Howe celebrating a goal in game one!

A desperate Habs team comes out on fire. Bob Nevin scores 4 minutes in, then Jim Pappin adds 2 more, to lead 3-0 after a period. Montreal outshoots Detroit 38-16, in a game where the score was closer then the action. 5-2 Canadiens. In a very even 4th game, the teams played back and fourth and found themselves tied at two in the third. Gordie Howe broke the tie with his 2nd of the series, the winning goal, late in the period. 3-2 Detroit, and one game away from ending the Canadiens reign.


Pappin's two goals get the Habs their first win of the series!

Detroit jumps out ahead 2-0, spoiling the mood in the Montreal forum, but the Habs strike back. Montreal scores 3 unanswered goals in the 2nd period to steal the lead away. That was all the scoring in the one. Montreal stays alive with the 3-2 win. Montreal falls behind again in game 6, and again, they are able to respond in the 2nd. Jim Pappin’s 5th ties it, but the Red Wings scored two more quick ones to go up 3-1. In the third, Dave Keon brought Montreal to within a goal, but they could get no closer. Detroit holds on to win 3-2, and take the series in 6. Montreal’s run of cup wins is over!



Toronto vs. New York

Game one might be looked at as Bobby Hull’s breakout game. The 24 year old has only scored between 10-14 goals every year, but today, netted a hattrick, while JP Parise assisted on each Hull goal. 4-1 Leafs win the opener. Stan Mikita gets a goal and 2 assists, while Johnny Bower stopped 34 of 35 shots, giving the Rangers a 3-1 road victory to even the series.


Is Bobby Hull finally breaking out?

The Leafs doubled up the Rangers in the first and third periods of game three, by 2-1 scores. Put them together, and you have a Toronto 4-2 win in the third game. Andy Bathgate had 2 assists. Terry Sawchuk was perfect in game 4. He saw 26 shots and stopped them all. Bobby Hull scored the winning goal early in the game. 3-0 Toronto, one win away from the series victory.


Sawchuk blanks NY in game 4!

Red Kelly opened the scoring, and before the Rangers knew it, they were down 3. Bobby Hull got his 6th of the series, and yes, I call that a true breakout. The Rangers manage only 14 shots. Toronto wins 4-1, and take the series in 5!

[George_Bell]

Toronto has the depth advantage here, despite being without Henri Richard, who is out for the whole postseason. Bobby Hull did a great job in the first round stepping up his production with 6 goals. Gordie Howe leads a Wings team which probably needs a big effort from the first line to take the series. Pierre Pilote has the potential to control the series. Toronto doesn’t have a defenseman that can come close to matching him. Terry Sawchuk is the better goalie, but Gump ain’t no slouch!

[George_Bell]

Ralph Backstrom has a goal and an assist, while Bathgate and Mahovlich combine for nothing. Detroit shuts the Leafs down impressively for a 4-1, game one victory. The Leafs respond despite getting almost nothing again from their top line. JP Parise and Bill White get goals, while Frank Mahovlich added an empty netter with just 1 seconds remaining. Toronto ties the series with a 3-1 win.


Ralph Backstrom is the first star of game one!

For some reason, the Leafs, who finished ahead of Detroit, are home in game 3, which means the Wings have home ice advantage…oh well, being at home suited Toronto just fine for game three. They dominate this one from start to finish. They outshoot Detroit 40-13, and Andy Bathgate had 3 points. Leafs all over the Wings 4-0 to grab the series lead. Detroit has a much better game four, but pretty much accomplish the same amount they did in game three. Bobby Hull gets two helpers, while Bill White scored the winning goal early in the 2nd. Terry Sawchuk records his 2nd straight shut out, beating the Wings 4-0.


Sawchuk has allowed one goal in his last 3 games.

Detroit's Murray Balfour breaks the shut out streak a minute into game 5. That lead held up for a while, but Bobby Hull got going, scoring not one, not two, but 3 straight goals! Bobby’s heroics were all the Leafs needed. Toronto wins it 4-1 to take the Stanley Cup in 5 games!

[George_Bell]

[George_Bell]

1964 NHL Offseason News and Notes

Here are skating leaders from last season



Here are the goalie leaders from last season



Here are the playoff scoring leaders



Young Rangers star Stan Mikita has won his first Hart Trophy as leagues MVP. Mikita just turned 24, and put up career highs in goals, assists and points. I think Dave Keon should have won the award, but Mikita would have been my 2nd choice.



Boston’s Paul Henderson wins the rookie of the year with 5 goals and 14 assists. It’s tough being a rookie in this league. Pierre Pilote wins his 5th Norris Trophy. That’s easily the most ever, the award has only existed for 11 seasons.



Amazing that Dave Keon, who finished with 91 points, did not make an all star team. That's the 3rd highest single season point total ever. I know points aren't everything, but Keon should have been rewarded with something. He was ignored!


Keon had one of the best seasons in NHL history!

The NHL has decided to introduce a new award starting in 1965. The Conn Smythe Award will be given to the most valuable player to his team in the playoffs. The award is named after former Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe. I considered renaming it after a player. Woody Dumart, Syl Apps, Maurice Richard were candidates based on their all-time playoff success, but they trail Gordie Howe in all time playoff goals, assists and points. I’m not gonna name a trophy after someone still playing, but when mr. Howe does retire……



39 year old Doug Harvey has decided to retire from the NHL. The All time leaders in games played, with 1305, is also the all time leader in points by a defenseman with 747!! He will be a sure fire Hall of Famer, and the Boston Bruins will retire his number.



A pretty strong draft this year. Just as Boston loses Doug Harvey, they make a great pick in picking up Serge Savard. Savard has the potential to be an elite defenseman. I also really like Montreal getting Jacque Lemaire at the end of the first round.



Chicago though, why take another goalie!! This keeps happening. Glenn Hall is 32, and super talented still. Tony Esposito is better then Rogie Vachon, yet they still take the goalie they don’t need. Serge Savard should have been the pick. Here is a look at Vachon.



Amazingly, right after the draft, the Blackhawks trade for another goalie. They get 22 year old prospect Roger Crozier from Toronto for defenseman Ted Harris. Again, the last thing the Blackhawks need are more goalies!! Harris aint anything huge to give up, and Crozier has talent, but man, the asset management is not good.


Crozier joins a crowded goalie crease in Chicago!

No logo or uniform changes this year. Time for some hockey!

[George_Bell]

1964-65 Season Preview





Top Player



Stan Mikita is the best rated player in hockey. It was a very close race. Pierre Pilote has declined a tiny bit. Frank Mahovlich and Dave Keon are right there with Mikita, but fall just short!

Top Goalie

[George_Bell]

1964-65 NHL Regular Season

Well the league looks like it is surprising me again! The Chicago Blackhawks, with all their goalies, have gone from last to first by the beginning of December. Jean Beliveau continues to score, but he’s getting a bit of help this year. 31 year old career 3rd liner Parker MacDonald has exploded with 18 points in 18 games. Phil Esposito, now 22, is finally coming into his own, with 14 points through 18 games. Former Norris winner JC Tremblay started the season on fire, with 12 points in 18 games. Can the Blackhawks keep this up?


Parker MacDonald with a huge contribution to Chicago's great start!

The ageless wonder, Gordie Howe, leads the NHL in scoring at the halfway mark. He’s going to turn 37 before the end of the season, and has 40 points so far. Howe continues to play into his late 30’s without losing any skill or strength! Here is a look at Gordie Howe ratings.



Amazing physical ratings for the 37 year old. He’s probably in the best shape of anyone in the league. By comparison, here is a look at another 37 year old, who used to be a 5 star player, and one of the best players in hockey. Red Kelly. It’s clear he’s on the decline! Howe is one in a million!



I spoke way too soon on Chicago. They did start hot and looked like a very improved team. After winning 6 games in a row in early December, they have gone 5-19-3 in their next 27. That’s horrible, obviously. First place to 5th place. Amazingly though, they are only a point out of the playoffs because of their hot start!

A rather large name just got waived and claimed!

Boom Boom Geoffrion is now a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Boom Boom has had some injury issues the last 2 years, and he’s declined because of that. He’s now a 1.5 star player, at just 33 years of age. He still had 15 points in 25 games this year, and his game rating was 59, which is still NHL worthy. Detroit immediately sent him down to the Pittsburgh Hornets, where he’s collected 6 points in 6 games. I’d call him up and let him play, but the game usually proves smarter then me!

The Maple Leafs make a trade to help them improve their repeat chances.



39 year old Allan Stanley, who is about to pass retired Doug Harvey on the most games played list, joins Toronto to help improve the weakest part of their team. Stanley has played well on a team that has collapsed the last few months. He’s still pretty effective, and should play a top 4 role for the Leafs. He’s got a 64 game rating and 22 points this year. He’s a +1 on a team that’s a -56. Stanley should help Toronto. The Leafs didn’t give up much to get him. Just another goalie for the Blackhawks collection!

Standings



Chicago falls all the way to the basement, while on the other end, Montreal has the best single season in NHL history. 48 wins, and 103 points! Montreal hit 101 points a decade ago in 1955. This team beats that. The 1965 Montreal Canadiens have the best regular season we've ever seen!



Gordie Howe doesn’t win the scoring race, but he does win the goal scoring crown!! His 36 goals lead the league. He’s upto 587 career goals, and just passed 1200 points!

Boom Boom Geoffrion does not get the call up by Detroit. He plays 17 AHL games, getting 12 points. His career might be over by age 34!

[George_Bell]

1965 NHL Playoffs


Montreal vs Detroit

The series starts the way everyone expected it too. Montreal outshoots Detroit 36-12. They score 5 times, each from a different player. A complete effort earns Montreal the 5-2 win. Detroit responds by going up 3-1 after the first period of game 2. Montreal has some fightback though, and trailing by 2 in the third, they score 2 late goals, with Dave Keon tying it with 52 seconds remaining. In ot though, Detroit got the big goal from Ralph Backstrom to split the first two games. 5-4 Red Wings win.


Ralph Backstrom's goal stops Montreal's easy march to the finals

Marcel Paille is called upon to only make 11 saves. Dave Keon scored 3 minutes in. Montreal absolutely smothers the Wings in game three. 5-0 Habs. No matter what happens in this series, gotta give the Red Wings credit as they responded by opening the scoring of game 4 just 80 seconds in. Gordie Howe then made it 2-0, and added an insurance mark in the third!! Detroit comes back to win 3-0 to tie the series again! They won't die!


Paille with the game 3 shut out!

First year goalie starter Seth Martin, a 31 year AHL career journeyman, whose started most of the season in Detroit, is earning his nickname. The Magician allowed a goal on Montreal’s first shot of the game, then he stopped 34 straight. Before the first period ended, Jerry Toppazzini and Ralph Backstrom scored for Detroit. That is all they need! 2-1 Detroit closing in on a huge upset. Playing desperate in game 6, the Habs find themselves in the box the whole game. Claude Provost actually took 4 straight minor penalties in the first period. Despite this, the penalty kill was excellent, and the Habs were able to grab a 3-1 lead after two periods. Fred Stanfield cut the lead to one, the the Wings couldn’t get closer. 3-2 Montreal. Game 7 is next…


Seth Martin, stealing games for Detroit!

Game 7

***And the game crashed on me, after I wrote up summaries of games 1-6. ****ing shame. I have resimmed to get the right teams winning the right games.

Detroit is the better team in a scoreless first period. They get 16 shots on Marcel Paille, but are frustrated by the Habs goalie. This is a game seven. Outshooting a team 16-4, and not grabbing the lead has to be demoralizing. Montreal’s play improves drastically in the 2nd, and they breakthrough first. It’s Bob Nevin getting the opening goal, at the 13 minute mark of the 2nd. Detroit finds themselves down 2 men, and Gary Jarrett makes them pay. He scores 11 seconds before the buzzer to give Montreal a 2-0 lead at the 2nd intermission.


Nevin opens the scoring in game 7

The Red Wings finally cut the lead to one with 8:46 remaining. Johnny McKenzie is the goalscorer. Can they tie this thing?.....NO, no they can’t. Montreal holds on to beat the Red Wings 2-1. That first period will haunt Detroit. Montreal wins the series in 7!



Toronto vs New York

The defending champs wasted no time. Jean Ratelle had 3 assists, Frank Mahovlich had 2 goals and an assist, and Andy Bathgate had 2 assists. All in the first period!! Toronto dominates the opener 5-0. Game 2 starts the same way. It’s 3-0 Leafs before the Rangers finally get on the board. Johnny Bower though put on the performance of his career. He keeps the deficit at just two, and in a 35 second span late in the third, the Rangers manage to tie the game!! In overtime, shockingly, the Rangers find a way to win the game. Alex Delvicchio is the goal scorer, but Johnny Bower is the hero, making 49 saves! 4-3 NY steals game 2!


40 year old Johnny Bower wins stuns the Leafs with his game two performance!

Carl Brewer and Kent Douglas provide some offense from the point, and Bobby Hull gets 2 assists, as the Leafs get back on track with a 4-1 win. After allowing 40 plus shots in each game, the Rangers hold Toronto to just 21 in the 4th game. Despite this, the Rangers still can’t keep Toronto off the board. JP Parise gets 3 assists, Bobby Hull gets another 2 points, and Toronto gets 2 more goals from defensemen. 6-3 Toronto takes it.


Hull has 4 points in games 3/4!

Maybe game 4 started a trend. Despite losing, the Rangers played their best game, and they continue to limit Leaf chances in the 5th game. The Leafs manage just 18 shots in this one, and the Rangers score 3 times in the third. Stan Mikita shows up for the first time all series, finishing with 5 points! 5-2 Rangers stay alive! Game six is all New York early. Gary Bergman has 3 points, helping the Rangers to a 3-0 lead. It’s 4-0 before Toronto scores 3 straight to end the 2nd. The Rangers let up continues as Bobby Baun ties it for Toronto early in the third. With 30 seconds left in the tie game though, Floyd Smith gets a puck by Sawchuk to win it for NY!! 5-4 Rangers force a game seven!!


Mikita has 5 points in game 5!

Game 7

***And the game crashed on me, after I wrote up summaries of games 1-6. ****ing shame. I have resimmed to get the right teams winning the right games.

Andy Bathgate has the games first goal, converting a rebound from Jean Ratelle’s wrist shot. 1-0 Leafs. There was a point in the first where the shots were 9-2 Rangers. Bathgate’s goal was shot 4 for Toronto. Since that point, The Leafs have outshot NY 20-3, and added a second goal of the stick of Bobby Baun. It’s 2-0 after two periods.

Halfway through the third, JP Parise looks like he puts the game away. He gets the Leafs third goal of the night, and gives the Leafs what looks like a insurmountable lead. It is. Terry Sawchuk collects the 24 save shutout. Toronto advances back to the cup final with a 3-0 victory!

[George_Bell]

Montreal had the best regular season in NHL history. So, by the numbers, they make the Leafs look like huge underdogs, but this Toronto team has the depth, they built up their defensive core, and have the better goalie, ratings wise. They are also the defending champs. I think this series will be a war. Both teams are really really good. The semi finals surprised me in how back and forth they were, so despite my war prediction, it could easily be a blowout!! BTW, anyone find it ironic that the Habs are winning with Bob Pulford, George Armstrong, Dave Keon, and Bob Nevin?.....

[enf91]

What I find ironic is the Canadiens, who are probably the best team in your universe, keep getting called "dark horses" in the pre-season writeup.

[George_Bell]

Originally Posted by enf91

What I find ironic is the Canadiens, who are probably the best team in your universe, keep getting called "dark horses" in the pre-season writeup.

hahaha, this is very true!