CHICAGO 1949: A PRESS BOX VIEW

On the weekend of January 29-30, 1949, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Black Hawks, engaged in a home and away series. The first game occurred at Maple Leaf Gardens, with the Leafs taking a 4-2 decision.

The above action photo shows the play at ice level on Saturday night with a collision between Toronto's Harry Watson, and Bob Goldham of the Hawks.

On Sunday night, Toronto reporters covering the game at Chicago Stadium had their first glance at Chicago's new press box. Allan Nickleson of The Globe and Mail supplied this review:

Toronto newspapermen covered the game from Chicago Stadium's new press box ... overhanging at one end, it reputedly cost a cool $45,000 has ample space, but beyond that doesn't compare with Maple Leaf Gardens for its clear view of both ends ... the Stadium box here houses television with its telescopic lens radio and press.

Like the previous night, the contest ended in a 4-2 score, but this time Chicago emerged victorious.

From his position in the new press box, Nickleson described the goal that put the contest out of reach for the Maple Leafs:

With the lightning-fast Hawks having a slight edge in the overall estimates, they made certain of the victory in the last eight seconds of the game. With Turk Broda out of the nets in favour of a sixth Leaf forward, Cannonball Bill Mosienko grabbed the puck in his own end during the Leaf ganging attack. He roared down the centre, with Jim Thomson in pursuit, fired a 40-footer into the empty cage as he was crowed into the boards.

On the play, Chicago defenceman Bill Gadsby earned an assist.

JEAN BELIVEAU

On this date in 1951, Jean Beliveau scored his first goal as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

GERRY MCNAMARA TALKS ABOUT JIM GREGORY

At the first Original Six Alumni lunch of 2020, former Toronto Maple Leaf GM, Gerry McNamara, spoke about his late friend, Jim Gregory, who passed away on October 30.

Thinking back on his pal, McNamara said, "We lost a good friend. Jim Gregory changed my life and for that I'm forever grateful. Jim, today, tomorrow, and the next day, until I'm gone, Jim Gregory was my hero. I think of him often."

Back in the 1960-61 season, McNamara, then playing for the Sudbury Wolves, was summoned by the Toronto Maple Leafs to fill in for an injured Johnny Bower. He was in goal for 5 games between February 15 and March 19, 1961. It wouldn't be his last time between the pipes for the Leafs.

"When I think of 1970, I was playing in Orillia, Ontario as an amateur. Jim asked me to come up with the Leafs and I got into a couple of games. I was selling insurance at the time." The two games McNamara mentioned took place on January 14 and 23, 1970. Here are the details from a previous story:

On January 14, 1970, the New York Rangers came to town and blasted the Leafs by a 7-1 score. McNamara replaced Bruce Gamble following the Rangers fifth goal at the 6:44 mark of the third period. Facing NHL shooters for the first time since March 1961, McNamara was beaten by Arnie Brown and Dave Balon.
His last appearance in the National Hockey League came on January 23, 1970, in Oakland. Once again, Bruce Gamble got the hook and McNamara played the final ten-minutes.

In his closing, McNamara, in a hushed tone, told the room, "I say God Bless Jim, and his soul, and hopefully, we'll meet again."

For more on the life and career of Gerry McNamara, here are links to a two-part series.

Gerry McNamara - Part One

Gerry McNamara - Part Two

OPEN PRACTICE: THEN & NOW

Tomorrow morning, the Toronto Maple Leafs will hold an outdoor practice at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto. The event is open to the public.

Back in the 1960s, the Leafs held their open practice at Maple Leaf Gardens during the holiday season. A newspaper ad declared, "Coaches of Boys' Hockey Teams...Here's an opportunity for your team to see a live practice of the N.H.L. Maple Leafs." The event was sponsored by Dominion Stores limited, and without fail, the Gardens was packed with youngsters eager to watch the Leafs go through their drills and participate in a scrimmage.

A SIGN OF THE TIMES

One of the grand traditions at holiday time was when the work crew at Maple Leaf Gardens painted "Season's Greetings"on the ice. It would remain on the surface through New Year's.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1945