SANDERSON TO ORR

On May 10, 1970, at 5:10pm, one of the most dramatic goals in hockey history was scored at the old Boston Garden. The occasion was game four of the 1970 Stanley Cup final between the hometown Bruins and the St. Louis Blues. Boston was well in control of the final as they won the first three contests.

In game four, the two clubs ended regulation tied at three goals apiece. The Bruins pulled even with the Blues when Johnny Bucyk potted the equalizer late in the third period. As is usually the case in overtime, one player takes his place under the spotlight and becomes the hero. Forty-seven years ago this afternoon, the knight in shining armour for the Bruins faithful was Bobby Orr.

"Swooping in front of the Blues' net, Bobby Orr took a swipe past old Glenn Hall in a move so rapid that there was a slight delay in the roar from the stands until a few moments after the red light flashed," noted Boston Globe writer Tom Fitzgerald.

In his story, Fitzgerald quoted Orr's teammate, Derek Sanderson, who set-up the goal. "That Bobby is the only guy who could do something like that. He blocked the puck away from the guy (Larry Keenan) over by the boards, then got it into me in the right corner. I waited just a little until Bobby busted for that net and put it into him."

Orr's Cup-winning tally, scored forty-seconds into overtime, topped off a banner season for the native of Parry Sound, Ontario. In addition to the Cup, Orr took home the Hart Trophy (MVP), Art Ross Trophy (top scorer), Norris Trophy (top defenceman) and the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP).