A MILESTONE FOR JOHNNY BOWER

On April 2, 1967, the Toronto Maple Leafs played their final regular season game, and for goalie Johnny Bower, it was a milestone victory. The Leafs downed the Bruins 5-2 and Bower became the second Leaf netminder to reach the 200-win plateau. The first to reach 200 was Turk Broda.

Although the score favoured Toronto, the Bruins had an edge in play. They outshot the Leafs 44-28, but were stymied for the most part by Bower. As one report noted of Bower, "His play early in the game while the Leafs were attempting to organize on offence, was instrumental in the victory."

Bower was forced to leave the game at the mid-point of the third period and was replaced by Terry Sawchuk. The Leaf duo both gave up a goal to the Bruins. Bower, suffering exhaustion due to the heat in Boston Garden, was given "a rousing ovation when he left the game."