A Fine Penalty Killing Duo

Last week, the Toronto Maple Leafs fell 4-2 to Washington with all the four goals coming on the power-play. It represented the most power-play goals given-up by Toronto in one contest since the 2009-10 season.

When the Maple Leafs opened the 1954-55 hockey campaign, their main duo for working on the penalty kill was Rudy Migay and Ron Stewart.

Rudy Migay

Ron Stewart

Early in the year, these two not only helped out on the penalty kill, but lead the team in scoring. At the top of the list was Stewart with four goals. Right behind him was Migay with three.
On November 6, 1954 in a game against Chicago, Migay produced not one, but two shorthanded goals, a rare feat for the day. Migay scored his first shorthanded tally in the middle frame. Migay and Stewart went to work after teammate Parker MacDonald was assessed a minor penalty for high-sticking. The goal came about when Stewart picked-up a rebound off the end-boards and sent the puck to a wide open Migay. Known as the "Toy Terrier", Migay's shot beat Chicago goalie Al Rollins.

His second marker on special teams came with Stewart in the box serving an interference penalty in period three. Migay took a pass from Hugh Bolton which sent him in the clear. Rollins, gave up a rebound on the  initial shot, but Migay buried the rebound.

Toronto defeated the visitors by a score of 5-2. Another highlight came when rookie Parker MacDonald scored his first National Hockey League goal to open the scoring in period two.

Rudy Migay, played his first NHL game with the Maple Leafs on December 1, 1949. His entire time in the Original Six era, 10 seasons, was spent with Toronto. In 418 games, Migay notched 59 goals and 92 assists for 151 points. He accumulated 293 penalty-minutes. He participated in 15 post-season matches, scoring one goal and registering 20 penalty-minutes.

Now, if only the current Toronto club could have as much success on the penalty kill.