Headline: May 17, 1950

No matter the era, every young hockey player dreams of making a careeer in the game. A true sense of making it comes when a prospect signs his name on a pro contract.

Future Leaf captain and four-time Stanley Cup champion, George Armstrong, signed his first professional contract om May 16, 1950.

After inking his deal, Armstrong spent one season with Toronto's American Hockey League farm team, the Pittsburgh Hornets. In 1951-52, "Chief", participated in 50 contests with Pittsburgh and 20 wearing the Leafs blue and white.

Over the next 19 seasons, starting in 1952-53, Armstrong became a Maple Leaf forever and retired having played only for Toronto.

Original Six Playoff Hockey

It was a long time between playoff home wins for the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Boston Bruins. Their victory in game six on Sunday night at the Air Canada Centre was Toronto's first since March 31, 1959.

During regulation time on that eventful evening in '59 at Maple Leaf Gardens, both clubs scored two goals. The Toronto marksmen were Gerry Ehman and Brian Cullen. Boston forwards Jerry Toppazzini and Bronco Horvath beat Toronto goalie Johnny Bower.

In overtime, Frank Mahovlich emerged as the hero. Picking-up a deflected puck off defenceman Jim Morrison, the Leaf forward unleashed a backhand that got past Harry Lumley in the Boston cage. Mahovlich's tally came at 11:21 of extra-time.

Beyond 1959, Boston and Toronto met in three quarter-final series in 1969, 1972, and 1974. In these encounters, Toronto managed to win only one game.

This victory came on April 6, 1972, when the Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-3 at Boston Garden. Jimmy Harrison's winner came in overtime and was scored against Gerry Cheevers.

Other than this thrilling win, Boston dominated, outscoring Toronto 24-5 (1969), 18-10 (1972), and 17-9 (1974).

When I attended game four on May 8, 2013, the Leafs playoff home ice losing streak against Boston was still intact. No matter the outcome, it was a brilliant display of Original Six playoff hockey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boston vs. Toronto. Wednesday May 8, 2013. Air Canada Centre, Toronto. Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals. Final Score: Boston Bruins-4 Toronto Maple Leafs-3 (OT)

Headline: May 15, 1961

On May 15, 1961, came news of the death of a true National Hockey League pioneer - Tommy Gorman.

In his role as a general manager, Gorman won seven Stanley Cups. His ability to assemble talent resulted in the Ottawa Senators becoming a dynasty in the early 1920s. Gorman's squads were crowned Cup champions three out of four years from 1920 to 1923.

Over the next two decades, Gorman managed Stanley Cup teams in Chicago and Montreal (one Cup for the Maroons and two with the Canadiens).

Known for his sense of humour and willingness to call things as they were, are evident in the following story.

After another NHL executive was called on the carpet for tampering, Gorman confronted him. The smoking gun in this case was a letter Gorman's counterpart sent to an opposition player.

During their discussion, Gorman spelled out the true mistake his colleague made.

"You fool...why didn't you use the telephone?," Gorman asked his rival.

A Different Result

It was like 1959 all over again for the Toronto Maple Leafs when they faced the Bruins in game seven of the 2013 Eastern Conference quarter-finals last night. The last time Toronto and Boston engaged in a seventh and deciding contest was on April 7, 1959, at Boston Garden.

Toronto entered the final frame down by a 2-1 score. Goals by Vic Stasiuk and Leo Boivin gave Boston the advantage. Toronto's tally came off the stick of Larry Regan.

Bob Pulford's unassisted marker early in the third pulled the Leafs even. On the play, Pulford directed a shot on goal and went in after the rebound. Boston goalie, Harry Lumley, attempted to control the puck, but Pulford shot it into the net.

As time ticked away, it looked like overtime was a possibility. The Leafs, however, had other plans.

"Big Frank (Mahovlich) hurtled down (the) left wing, drew Fern Flaman and passed over to Ehman, Gerry turned the puck loose just as as he hit left defenceman Morrison (Jim)," noted Red Burnett in the Toronto Daily Star on how the winning goal took shape. "The shot hit the far post and caromed around behind the unhappy Lumley.

Unfortunately for Leaf fans, the same result couldn't be reached in 2013.

Headline: May 13, 1958

Considered to be one of the best to ever lace-up skates, Gordie Howe won his third Hart trophy (most valuable player) in 1958.

After all the votes were counted, Howe took top spot, followed by Andy Bathgate (New York Rangers) and Doug Harvey (Montreal Canadiens).

During the 1957-58 campaign, "Mr. Hockey" played in 64 games, scoring 37 goals and 44 assists for a total of 77 points. Previous to his win in '58, Howe captured the Hart in 1952, 1953, and 1957. He would go on to once again claim the Hart 1n 1960 and 1963.

Ottawa vs. Montreal - 1923

Looking back on the Sens-Habs series, which ended last night in Montreal, their tribute performance to the WWE in game three stands out for many who took in the action. However, when it comes to unrest and disorder, this contest couldn't hold a candle to a previous tilt between these two historic franchises.

 Back in 1923, the two rivals met to determine an NHL champion, who would advance to play for the Stanley Cup.

Game one of a two game series, where the number of goals were the deciding factor, was played on March 7, 1923, at Montreal's Mount Royal Arena.

"The game ended in a riot when a spectator started to beat up referee Marsh (Lou) as he came off the ice," began a game story in The Globe. "The police rescued the official and the Ottawa players were escorted to their dressing room. The crowd rushed the ice and minor fights started."

And what caused the Montreal fans to go over the edge? "The crowd first became incensed at the officials when Joliat (of Montreal) drew three minor penalties in the opening twenty minutes of play," noted the story. "From then until the finish it was almost a parade to the penalty box."

A total of 12 penalties wre handed out, with Montreal getting 10 and Ottawa only one.



Aurel Joliat

"Coutu was the worst offender, getting a match foul for deliberately striking Dennenay (of Ottawa)over the head just after the latter had tallied the first goal.

Dennenay's goal came in the second frame.

"Near the close of the match Sprague Cleghorn (of Montreal) attacked Hitchman...which resulted in the Ottawa player leaving the ice with a badly cut head."

These infractions put a huge dent in the Canadiens manpower situation. According to the newspaper account, Montreal played shorthanded for 41 of the 60-minutes of regulation. At times they were either down-one-man, or played 4-against-6, and 3-against-6.

As hostilities exploded after the game, only time would bring the disorder to an end. "Attempts to stop the mix-ups by striking up the National Anthem proved futile and the incipient riot died of its own accord."

Although Montreal won game two on March 9th by a 2-1 score, it was Ottawa who headed west to play for the Stanley Cup. They outscored Montreal 2-0 in game one, and their lone marker in game two gave them the series victory.

After defeating Vancouver in a best-of-five series, Ottawa took on the Edmonton Eskimos for Lord Stanley's mug. The visitors from the east defeated Edmonton in game one of their best-of-three showdown by 2-1 margin. On March 31, 1923, Ottawa were crowned Stanley Cup champs when they downed Edmonton 1-0 in game two.

Headline: May 9, 1969

Even when it came to selecting an All-Star Team, Bobby Orr rose above the competition.

When the results of voting by the National Hockey League Writers' Association were released for 1968-69, Orr secured 176 of a possible 180 points.

His nearest rival with 175 points was Chicago left winger Bobby Hull.

While Orr, at 21 years-old, was the youngest member of the 1969 All-Star Team, Gordie Howe held the title as the oldest at 41. Howe earned 174 points and started at right wing.

Joining Orr on the blue line was veteran Tim Horton. The Maple Leaf defenceman raked-in 123
points.

On the Second All-Star Team, Boston's Ted Green (77 points) and Montreal's Ted Harris (67) were paired together.