50 Years Ago in Hockey: Bruins Hand Hawks First Loss

John McKenzie’s third goal of the season was the winner as the Boston Bruins edged the Chicago Black Hawks 3-2 last night at Chicago Stadium. It was the first loss for Chicago this season. For the Bruins it was their second win against three losses and a tie.

Martin’s Goal Disputed

Pit Martin
Pit Martin

Wayne Connelly put Boston up 1-0 after five minutes of the first with his second of the season on a setup by Ron Murphy. The Black Hawks evened the score just shy of the ten-minute mark as Freddie Stanfield notched his first of the year. The young forward tipped in a long Pierre Pilote pass. He was playing in his first game of the year after holding out for a better contract. He signed yesterday.

Pit Martin put Boston ahead to stay with a controversial goal with less than a minute to play in the opening frame. The score came off a scramble at the Chicago goalmouth. Martin took a shot which was stopped by Chicago goalie Denis DeJordy. The puck bounced off DeJordy, hit Martin on the left leg and bounced back into the Chicago goal. The Hawks argued vociferously with referee Art Skov that Martin kicked the puck into the net but to no avail. Skov allowed the tally to stand and Chicago was never able to recover.

After a scoreless middle stanza, McKenzie found the net at 9:11 of the third, giving Boston some much-needed insurance.  That insurance came in handy as Chicago’s Stan Mikita narrowed the margin to 3-2 with 24 seconds left on the clock. Boston goalie Bernie Parent held firm over the final moments to preserve the Bruins win.

Chicago lost two key players to injury during the game. Kenny Wharram suffered a frightening injury to his left eye. The speedy right winger took six stitches on the inside of the eyelid, and 12 more on the outside and did not return. Doug Mohns sustained a cut to the forehead in the first period. He returned for the final 40 minutes after repairs totaling six stitches.

Harry Sinden, is the new coach of the Boston Bruins.
Harry Sinden

The Bruins out-hustled and out-muscled Chicago all night. Parent put in a very solid performance in his first game of the season. After losing to Detroit 8-1 in their last outing, the win was particularly satisfying for Bruins rookie coach Harry Sinden:

It’s a good feeling to win from Chicago after losing the way we did to Detroit.

Sinden admitted the lopsided loss to the Red Wings influenced his decision to give Parent his first action of the season.

Sinden’s coaching style was evident in the Bruins’ robust play. His teams simply separate the opposition from the puck, a style reminiscent of Boston teams during the glory days before World War Two.

Boston took seven of the nine penalties called by Skov. The win moves them into third place in the National Hockey League standings.

Amerks Edge Aces

The Rochester Americans edged the Quebec Aces 3-2 last night at Quebec City in the America Hockey League’s only game.

Terry Clancy scored the winning goal for Rochester with less than four minutes left in the third period. He took a long pass from Mike Walton that fortuitously bounced off the linesman right onto his stick. Clancy swooped in from the wing and picked the corner on Quebec goalie Gary Bauman.

Eddie Joyal had the other two Rochester markers.  Gordon Labossiere scored both Quebec goals.

Rochester lost young goaltender Gary Smith with a pulled groin early in the second period. He was replaced by veteran Bob Perreault, and between the two of them, they made 42 saves. Smith could be out four to six weeks.

Junior Hawks Hammer London

Steve Latinovich
Steve Latinovich

The St. Catharines Black Hawks hammered the London Nationals 8-3 in the only Ontario Hockey Association Junior A game last night. The win leaves St. Catharines with a three-point lead over second-place Hamilton and Oshawa.

Steve Latinovich led the way for the Hawks with a pair of goals. Singles came from Barry Salovaara, Peter Mara, Peter Teal, Willy Terry, Maurice L’Abbe and John Fisher.

Jim Dorey, Walter McKechnie and John Mercer were the London goal-getters.

Late Goal Give Blades a Tie

Los Angeles Blades left winger Buddy Boone scored with 29 seconds left on the clock to lift his team to a 4-4 tie with the Vancouver Canucks in the lone Western Hockey League game last night. Over 2,200 fans took in the thriller in Vancouver.

Jack Stanfield, Tom McVie and Willie O’Ree had the other Los Angeles goals. Phil Maloney bagged a pair for the Canucks. Gord Vejprava and Bryan Hextall had the others.

Notes:

  • It looks like the Detroit Red Wings will call up Pittsburgh Hornets defenceman Bob McCord after tonight’s AHL game against the Springfield Indians.
  • Two Los Angeles Blades linemates, Dick Meissner and Jerry Toppazzini, have been named co-players of the week in the WHL. They scored 12 points between them.
  • Charlotte Checkers blanked the Nashville Dixie Flyers 2-0 in EHL play. Checkers 24-year-old rookie goalie Lynn Zimmerman recorded the shutout. (Historical note: Both Zimmerman and Nashville goalie Marv Edwards retired to Fort Erie, Ontario after their playing careers)