To discover the first time the Bruins and Maple Leafs played against each other in a playoff series, you have to go way back to 1933.
On March 25, 1933, the two teams faced-off for the first time in hockey's second season at Boston Garden. And the initial game set the tone for future battles between the two clubs.
A newspaper report summed up the intense competition:
It was the first game of the best three-in-five between the Leafs and the Bruins for the National Hockey League championship. And what a bitterly fought, gruelling, nerve-wracking game it was! For 74 minutes and some seconds, the crippled Leafs (with "Ace" Bailey and "Red" Horner out of the line-up) - conceded slight chance here to even hold the powerful and full-strength Bruins in check - looked every bit as good as their opponents. They even outplayed this much-fancied Boston team in the first period; held them on even terms through two more bruising periods, and, then, in overtime, gave such a display of sheer grit and courage that it seemed impossible to beat them.
Despite the glowing review of the Leafs' performance, Boston prevailed in overtime by a 2-1 score. At the 14:14 mark of extra-play, Marty Barry ended the game. On the play, Dit Clapper picked-up a loose puck and fired a shot on Toronto goalie Lorne Chabot. The rebound landed on Barry's stick and his backhander found the back of the net.
Of interest, the skirmishes weren't restricted to the ice:
During the second intermission, Frank Selke (the Leafs assistant general manager), who was rooting strongly for the Leafs, was attacked by a Boston fan. "Ace" Bailey attempted to help Selke and he, too, was attacked. However, quick interference by the police and the ejection of the two fans who started the trouble prevented it from spreading. Selke was bruised over the eye, but he gave as good as he received and so did Bailey.
The tradition continues this evening.
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