THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF PUNCH IMLACH

When the National Hockey League released the schedule of games for the 1970-71 season, fans in Toronto and Buffalo circled November 18, 1970. Besides being the first regular season trip to Maple Leaf Gardens by the expansion Buffalo Sabres, the common denominator between the two clubs was former Leafs' coach and general manager; and then current Sabres' coach and general manager, Punch Imlach.

Tonight marks the 49th anniversary of that memorable first encounter, and I was fortunate to see the game in-person. Like I did for every game I attended, I kept the ticket stub (above), but it is the only time I wrote on the back of a stub. The anticipation, and subsequent outcome, made me want to preserve the fact I was there. The Buffalo team was so new that I misspelled "Sabers."

When Buffalo was granted an NHL franchise to start play in 1970, the close proximity to Toronto made them a natural rival with the Maple Leafs. And this rivalry was magnified when Punch Imlach was named the coach and GM of the Sabres. In the spring of 1969, Imlach was fired by Stafford Smythe after a run that resulted in four Stanley Cups in the 1960s under Imlach's regime.

The stage was set on November 18, 1970, for Imlach to bring his new troops to battle his former warriors at Maple Leaf Gardens.

The most vivid memories I have of the contest is the repeated ovations the crowd gave Imlach. Also, I recall the brilliant netminding of former Detroit goalie, Roger Crozier, who was now between the pipes for Buffalo.

On the eve of his return, Imlach said, "I wouldn't miss this one for the world." And there was no doubt Imlach wanted revenge on his former team. "I would like to win this game. They (the Buffalo players) know what it means to me."

And the Sabres didn't disappoint the boss, as they skated to a 7-2 thumping of the Leafs. Imlach's post-game comments once again put him under the spotlight at his former stomping grounds at 60 Carlton Street.

"This win rates with the night my Leaf team came from behind a two-goal deficit to beat [the] Red Wings in Detroit and make the Stanley Cup playoffs in the final game in 1958-59. I rate that thrill as bigger than any of my four Stanley Cup triumphs for Toronto. It had something special. No one gave that team a chance, just like very few gave us a snowball's chance in this game."

Toronto couldn't handle Buffalo's offensive outburst, a fact that was conceded by Leaf coach, Johnny McLellan. "They beat the hell out of us. What more is there to say. Our fellows were terrible defensively, [they] forgot that part of their game."

That isn't to say the Leafs didn't generate any offence of their own. The only obstacle was Roger Crozier kept them in-check. He only allowed two goals and stopped 44 shots.

In his story for The Globe and Mail, Dan Proudfoot wrote about Crozier's brilliant outing:

Fans applauded each of Crozier's spectacular saves. They applauded often. Crozier had Mike Walton, the outstanding Leaf, skating in small frustrated circles after making twin saves.

When the final bell rang, the Gardens was filled with the chant, "We want Punch, we want Punch!"

The loudest voice came from the West Blues, Section 44, Row B, Seat 5.

GALLERY