Canada suffered the worst loss in its international hockey history yesterday when they were lambasted 8-0 by Czechoslovakia. After four straight victories to start the world championship tournament, the Canadians came crashing back to earth with a resounding thud.
The win allowed the Czechs to keep pace with the Russians, who bombed the United States 9-2 earlier in the day. Both of those teams now have five straight wins.
Canada was still in the game at the end of the first period, trailing only 1-0. That scored flattered the Canucks, as they were outshot 11-3. It was only a valiant effort by goaltender Ken Broderick that kept the score at all close. Czech Jaroslav Jirik scored the only goal of the first period. The Czechs added two more in the second period before the roof caved in on the Canadians in the final frame.
Second period scorers for the winners were Jiri Holik and Vaclav Nedomansky. Nedomansky’s name has been linked in recent days with the New York Rangers of the NHL.
The Czechs turned the game into a rout in the third on goals by Frantisek Tikal, Josef Capla, Josef Golonka and two by Frantisek Sevcik.
Vladimir Dzurilla made 22 saves to record the shutout for Czechoslovakia. He was not severely tested by the completely outclassed Canadians.
Before yesterday’s game, Canada’s worst defeat in international play had been a 7-2 loss at the hands of the Russians in 1954. That was by a team from East York against a Russian squad that was making its debut at the world championship. Russia went on to win that tournament.
Marlies edge Jr. Habs
The Toronto Marlboros jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead against the Montreal Junior Canadiens last night and held on for a narrow 4-3 win in their second OHA Junior A playoff game.
The Marlies dominated that first period and led on goals by Mike Corrigan and Brit Selby. Serge Savard got one of those goals back late in the period. Montreal coach Scotty Bowman depended heavily on Savard, who played an amazing 52 minutes in the game.
Selby put the Marlboros back in front by two with the second period’s only score.
Gerry Meehan gave Toronto a 4-1 lead early in the third, and that seemed to wake up Bowman’s squad. The Junior Habs came at Marlie netminder Gerry Desjardins in wave after wave, and connected for two goals, but it was too little too late. Rene Drolet and Carol Vadnais drew the Junior Canadiens close, but some outstanding work by Desjardins in the Toronto goal saved the day.
In the last five minutes, Desjardins made successive saves on Chris Bordeleau, Jacques Lemaire and Savard, and those stops made the difference in the game.
Bowman was not impressed with the Marlboros performance.
“The Marlboros are only a myth. They’re living on their Memorial Cup laurels of last year.”
Bowman was not happy with the play of Montreal goalkeeper Fern Rivard and plans to replace him in the next match with Ed Ouimet.
Marlie coach Jim Gregory gave all the credit to Desjardins. “He’s been improving every game and is now one of our better players.”
Hawks rip Petes
The St. Catharines Black Hawks evened their OHA Junior A playoff series with the Peterborough Petes last night with a lopsided 10-3 decision in St. Catharines. The Hawks had lost their previous eight games against Peterborough.
Brian MacDonald led the way for St. Catharines with three goals. Mickety Cherevaty, Bob Sicinski, Ken Hodge, Ken Laidlaw, Wayne Maki and Doug and Tom Reid were the other goal-getters for the winners.
Andre Lacroix scored twice for the Petes, with Dan Sharpe adding the other.
Notes
- The New York Rangers have called up forward Sandy Fitzpatrick from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHA Junior A Series. Fitzpatrick scored 51 goals and added 55 assists for Kitchener this season. Rangers also returned centre Gord Labossiere to Baltimore of the AHL.
- Hal Laycoe changed his tune slightly from yesterday’s statement that there was nothing to rumours that he would take over as coach of the Boston Bruins. Laycoe now says that the position interests him but that he hasn’t agreed to anything. Laycoe is the coach the of Portland Buckaroos of the WHL.
- Boston general manager Lynn Patrick was in Portland last week, but not to see Laycoe. He was scouting Pat Stapleton, a former defenceman who has had a fine season playing centre for the Buckaroos.
- Bobby Hull was named the top hockey player of 1964 in the CBS parade of sports stars at the World Fair in New York. Bing Crosby, who has developed a strong interest in hockey, made the presentation.
- Toronto Maple Leafs centre Red Kelly had his car stolen from the Maple Leaf Gardens parking lot yesterday.