Game 5 took place on April 14, 1942, at Maple Leaf Gardens. The Leafs took a deep breathe and didn't exhale until a 9-3 victory was in the books. Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the first period and Bob Goldham scored an unassisted goal at the 1:59 mark of the middle frame.
In his rookie season on the Leafs defence, Goldham, who was called-up from the American Hockey League in January of '42, scored his most important NHL goal in game 6 on April 16, 1942.
On the road, the Leafs knew the Red Wings would be eager to close out the final and win the Cup in front of their fans at the Olympia. Also, Detroit wanted to avoid a game 7 in Toronto's barn. For Toronto, it was win or wait until next year. In a high stakes battle for both clubs, it was no surprise game 6 turned out to be a hard fought battle.
After a scoreless first period, the Leafs struck first when Don Metz put Toronto on the board early in the second period. His goal came at the :14 mark.
It remained a close contest with neither team being able to score in the second period following Metz's tally. The game was up for grabs and too close to call as the final twenty-minutes of regulation time got underway. The next goal would be crucial.
At 13:32 of period three, Bob Goldham took centre stage. His goal gave Toronto a 2-0 advantage and took the wind out of Detroit's sails. Billy Taylor closed out the scoring at the 14:04 mark and the Leafs were successful in their attempt to force a game 7 at the Gardens.
While researching my book - Bob Goldham Outside the Goal Crease - I found a recording in the CBC Archive of Goldham's goal in game 6 as described by Foster Hewitt. Here is a shortened version of what I wrote in the book regarding Hewitt's call:
Manipulating his voice to reach different stages of emotion, Hewitt's approach is similar to a boxing announcer. His tone when the puck is dropped reflects the call of two opponents landing punches, but not causing damage. "From the faceoff it goes to the blueline, here's a shot, Broda kicked that one out," Hewitt states into his microphone.
He maintained his business-like style as Sweeney Schriner and the Red Wings played catch. "Schriner rolled it, but not out. Shriner then rolled it to centre ice and Detroit shoot it back in." They resembled two fighters, keeping just enough distance to exchange routine jabs.
When Detroit blinked, Schriner found an opening and Bob Goldham dove in for the kill. "Schriner gets it, shoots it ahead," is how Hewitt voiced the next move by Schriner. At this point, Detroit flinched.
Foster Hewitt, as though stopping on a dime and changing direction, went from calling harmless jabs, to describing wicked left-right combinations, followed by nasty upper-cuts. Not only did he kick the intensity level into overdrive, Hewitt held his listeners in spellbinding suspense.
"Here's a breakaway," opened Hewitt. "Goldham going right in," he cried as the Leaf charged into Detroit's zone. "He's right in," Hewitt said, adding to the drama. His sound level and pitch increasing with every word.
The fast developing play left little time for details. Those would come later. "He shoots, he scores," blasted Hewitt in his customary fashion, when Goldham deked Mowers with his clutch move.
"Goldham scores for the Maple Leafs, going right down on Schriner's pass to draw Mowers right out of his net and bang it home to make it 2-0 for the Maple Leafs," he said, putting the final brush stroke in place. Saluting Goldham, Hewitt mentioned he "went in there like a veteran."
On a roll, the Leafs took game 7 on April 18, 1942, to complete their historic comeback. They defeated Detroit 3-1. It was the first and only time an NHL team roared back from losing the first three games in a Stanley Cup final to win the next four and capture Lord Stanley's Cup. Goldham earned an assist on Pete Langelle's game-winning goal. In July of 1942, Goldham joined the Royal Canadian Navy and didn't return to the Leafs' line-up until the 1945-46 season.
Bob Goldham's contributions to the Leafs stunning comeback cannot be underestimated. In June of 1942, hockey writer, Elmer Ferguson, wrote the following about Goldham's performance in game 6:
It was Goldham who fought back, savagely, effectively, impatiently brushing aside the mop of hair dangling in his eyes, his mouth set in hard, fighting lines, Goldham met the surgingWings drives, snared the puck time after time, (and) fought his way out. Wings are specialist on the ganging attack plan. They beat (the) Canadiens that way, they swept the jaded Leafs off their feet in the opening games of the final series. But Goldham refused to be swept. He was the one Leaf player able to carry the puck out, foil the Detroit smashes, help protect Broda strong-hold a defence so well executed that the Leafs won the game 3-0, and forty-eight hours later, took the series.
Very nice wordsmithing Mr. Amodeo. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLike the picture of Goldham in his Navy uniform holding the Stanley Tube, a great, historic picture.