The Toronto Maple Leafs shook off a five-game winless streak last night with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens. In the other two NHL games, Detroit edged Boston 4-3 while Montreal downed the Rangers 2-1.
Special teams special for Leafs
Toronto scored three power play goals in their win over the Black Hawks. Kent Douglas, Ron Ellis and Dave Keon scored with the man advantage for Toronto. Rookie Peter Stemkowski finished off the scoring with an even-strength goal for the Leafs.
Bill Hay was credited with the only Chicago goal on a strange play. Hay was killing a Chicago penalty and just dumped the puck into the Toronto zone from centre ice. Leaf goalie Terry Sawchuk moved out to block the puck, but it took a crazy hop and bounded past a startled Sawchuk into the Toronto goal. That was the only blemish on an otherwise fine performance by the veteran netminder.
Penalty killing was also a strong suit for the Leafs. They were whistled for 12 penalties by referee Frank Udvari, and managed to kill off every one. Bob Pulford, Tim Horton and Dave Keon were best short-handed Toronto performers.
Recently recalled Don McKenney was a force offensively all night and earned a pair of assists for his efforts.
Both teams were less than impressed with the officiating of Udvari. After the game, Chicago bench boss Billy Reay said, “I thought the refereeing was atrocious.”
Leafs coach Punch Imlach had a different view of Udvari’s work: “He (Reay) should kiss him (Udvari)”.
Ullman paces Wings
Norm Ullman was the scoring hero for the Red Wings against Boston. He scored his 29th and 30th goals of the season, a new personal high for him. Ron Murphy and Parker MacDonald also connected for the Wings. Gordie Howe had assists on the first three Detroit markers.
John Bucyk fired a pair for the Bruins, with rookie Billy Knibbs adding the other.
Duff nets winner for Habs
Dick Duff came back to haunt his former team as he scored the winning goal with less than six minutes to play to give Montreal their win over the Rangers. After taking a pass from Jimmy Roberts, Duff let a quick wrist shot go that New York netminder Marcel Paille managed to get in front of. Duff pounced on the rebound and deposited the puck behind Paille and into the net. Duff was traded to Montreal by the Rangers in December.
Jean Beliveau had the other Montreal score, connecting late in the second period after Rod Gilbert had given the Rangers a 1-0 lead earlier in the middle stanza.
Both Paille and Montreal goalkeeper Gump Worsley put on standout performances. Worsley stopped 30 shots, compared to 29 by his Ranger counterpart.