Frank Mahovlich made history in front of the home fans as the Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Boston Bruins 3-2 in one of three National Hockey League games played last night. The other two contests saw Montreal nip New York 4-3 and Chicago hammer Detroit 4-1.
Big M First Leaf to 250
Mahovlich became the first Toronto player to reach the 250-goal plateau. He scored the first goal of the game at 3:19 of the opening period. The Big M made a nice play, steering in Larry Hillman’s point shot past Bruins goalie Ed Johnston.
Mahovlich is the second NHL player to reach 250 goals this season. Norm Ullman of the Detroit Red Wings also scored his 250th earlier this year. Big Frank is the 17th NHL player to score 250.
Mahovlich’s goal wasn’t the only milestone reached at Maple Leaf Gardens last night. Boston’s second goal, scored by Johnny Bucyk early in the second period, was the 200th of his NHL career. He has been in the league for 11 seasons.
The other Toronto scorers were Bob Pulford and Peter Stemkowski. Stemkowski’s marker, his second of the year, came at 4:33 of the final frame and was the game winner. The tall Leaf rookie scored on a long shot from centre ice that fooled Johnston.
“I’ve been practising that shot since my junior days with the Winnipeg Monarchs” quipped Stemkowski after the game.
Former Leaf Ron Stewart was the other Boston marksman.
McKenny Makes Debut
The game marked the NHL debut of young defenseman Jim “Howie” McKenny. The youthful blueliner was called up from the Toronto Marlboros to replace Kent Douglas, who was sidelined by what Punch Imlach described as a throat infection.
McKenny said that the play in the NHL was much faster than he was used to in Junior A. He was also asked after the game where the nickname “Howie” comes from. He said it was because he bears a resemblance to former NHL player Howie Young. Young is now with the Los Angeles Blades of the Western Hockey League. McKenny says the similarity ends with their facial features:
“I just look a little like Young. I hope I don’t play like him.”
Best of the Leafs on this night was Tim Horton. The Leaf strongman was used both on defence and at right wing by Imlach. Boston’s top skater was young Gilles Marotte, the Bruins’ outstanding rookie defender.
Beliveau Leads Habs Past Rangers
Jean Beliveau scored two goals, including the game-winner in the final minute of play, to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers. The second goal was the 379th of his illustrious career. That ties him with former Detroit Red Wing Ted Lindsay for third on the NHL all-time scoring list, behind Gordie Howe and Maurice (Rocket) Richard.
Canadiens led 3-1 at the end of the second period on goals by Beliveau, Bobby Rousseau and Dick Duff. Reg Fleming scored the first Ranger goal.
Then in the third period, former Hab Don Marshall scored a pair of goals for the Rangers two and half minutes apart to even the score at 3-3. That set the stage for Beliveau’s winner, with just 54 seconds left on the clock. The Montreal captain converted a great setup by Rousseau to beat Cesare Maniago in the New York net.
Both Maniago of the Rangers and Charley Hodge of Montreal put in outstanding performances in goal for their respective teams. New York outshot Montreal 40-36 in the wide-open contest.
Hull Nets Number 48 as Hawks Top Wings
Bobby Hull scored goal number 48, and Doug Mohns potted a pair as the Black Hawks thumped the Detroit Red Wings 4-1. The slumping Red Wings have now won only three of their past 15 games. It was Chicago’s ninth win in 11 games against Detroit this year.
Bill Hay was the other Chicago scorer. Bruce MacGregor was the only Detroiter to beat Chicago goalie Glenn Hall.
Roger Crozier was in goal for the Red Wings for the opening 20 minutes. Hank Bassen took over in the last two periods and put in a sparkling performance. He gave up the late third-period goals to Mohns and Hay.
Retired police detective, involved in hockey at all levels for over 50 years. Member of Society for International Hockey Research and presently a video analyst for the leader in advanced hockey analytics (we work exclusively for 2 NHL clubs, and provide advice on an ad hoc basis to many other clients). Currently the Assistant General Manager for the Pelham Pirates of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Previously owned the Faceoff computer hockey simulation and also provided all player ratings for the EA Sports series of NHL computer games from the late 90’s into the mid 2000’s.
