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December 21, 1963

December 21, 1963

The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.

IN THIS ISSUE

Imlach Often Plays Hunches In Selecting Leaf Netminder

TORONTO, Ont.— Don Simmons and Johnny Bower. It’s a great team, one that may go into history alongside Martin and Lewis, Abbott and Costello, Olsen and Johnson. Only comedy’s not their game. But puck-stopping is. They’re goaltenders and the way they split Toronto Maple Leafs’ netminding job is one of the marvels of the current National Hockey League era. Take the most recent development as an example. On Dec. 4, a day Leafs were scheduled to play Montreal Canadiens, Bower developed a severe case of influenza. So Simmons was notified to be ready. He merely stopped 26 shots in recording Toronto’s first shutout of the cording Toronto’s first shutout of the season. Three nights later, he kicked out 23 Chicago attempts in making it two goose eggs in succession. And against Detroit the following evening,…

IN THIS ISSUE

Big Moose Cut Weight For Top Performance

CHICAGO,111._ Big Elmer (Moose) Vasko lost some 10 pounds of his bigness in training camp this fall and it’s helping the Chicago Black Hawk veteran have another outstanding season on defense. “He’s the best defensive defenseman in the National Hockey League this season,” says his coach, Billy Reay. “I don’t know of any defenseman in the league I’d trade him for.” Reay cites five major reasons for his high regard for Vasko: • Steady performance. “He’s probably the most consistent per-former among NHL defensement and hardly ever gets caught out of position/’ says Reay. • A big man with experience, he makes good moves. • Blocking shots effectively. “His timing is important and his size and experience at doing this help save our goalie a lot of stops,” says Reay. • Size Vasko is one of the…

IN THIS ISSUE

Heavy Injury List Allowing Abel Long Look At Wings’ Prize ‘Kids’

DETRITT, Mich — If anything good can be said about the Red Wings’ plight this season it is that manager-coach ; Sid Abel has been able to take a look at the club’s ; youngsters. Two have impressed him particularly — center Pit Martin, just turned 20, and goalie Roger Crozier 21 the young man Sid Abel planned to insert, in the Detroit net in place of Terry Sawchuk. Abel, said he would likely alternate the two the rest. of the season. Martin was called up from Pittsburgh in the midst of a tidal wave of injuries and promptly brought praise from Toronto’s King Clancy. “It looks like you have something there, Clancy told Abel after Martin set up Detroit’s lone goal in a 4-1 loss to the Maple Leafs. Martin took over as center…

IN THIS ISSUE

Confusion Reigns Over Laforge’s Penalty Shot Goal

DETROIT, Mich.— Hockey is advertised as the world’s fastest game and there was plenty of proof on the play that resulted in Laforge’s penalty shot — few could agree on who fouled Laforge. Sitting in the press box were such well-versed hockey people as Leaf goalie Johnny Bower, King Clancy, referee-in-chief Carl Voss, Montreal general manager Frank Selke and the Hewitts, Foster and Bill. At one end of the box, Foster, on radio, said that Bob Baun grabbed Laforge from behind. At the other end, on television, Bill said it was Ron Stewart. Bauer and Clancy thought it was Baun or Carl Brewer. Laforge later said he thought it was Stewart. The linesmen, George Hayes and Neil Armstrong, said it was Baun. Laforge drilled his free shot ankle-high between Simmons’ boots for his goal, his first in…