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.

April 12, 1969

The Hockey News April 12, 1969

<div class="byline">with ED FITKIN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-01796/3138036-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="323" height="428"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HERE SEEMED TO BE NO END</b> to the Toronto jinx back there in those immediate post-war years for the Detroit Red Wings &hellip; The Leafs were young, rough and tough, rebuilt quickly by Conn Smythe when it was obvious that the pre-wartime stars were no longer able to cut the mustard in the NHL &hellip; Smythe, a master strategist, had got the jump on his rivals by his swift shift to aggressive youngsters and for three successive seasons, his Leafs powered their way to the Stanley Cup, the first time any team had won it three years in a row &hellip; Red Kelly was recalling (by request) some of his great moments in a 20-year career as a NHL player with Detroit (12-1/2) and Toronto (7-1/2) during which span of time he was on eight Stanley Cup winners, four with each team &hellip; &ldquo;It didn&rsquo;t seem like we were ever going to beat the Leafs back in those days,&rdquo; the coach of the Los Angeles Kings reflected. &ldquo;They had beaten Detroit 4 games to 1 in the Stanley Cup semi-finals in 1946-47,&rdquo; Red said, &ldquo;and Mr. Adams decided after that that it was time to start his own youth movement. I made the team in 1947-48 and we had a young club basically, with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay teaming up with the veteran Sid Abel, and Marty Pavelich, Leo Reise, Jim McFadden and other youngsters making good. But even though we reached the final that year, and again in 1948-49, each time we lost to the Leafs four straight&rdquo; &hellip; When the 1949-50 Stanley Cup playoffs began, it was slightly different. The Red Wings had topped the league, Toronto finished third and they were going to meet in the semi-finals &hellip; The Red Wings were favored but&hellip;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-02682/3138029-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg" title="f0014-02" width="265" height="432"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Red Kelly</b></figcaption></div><p><b>THE FIRST GAME OF THE SERIES</b> was in Detroit and expectations were at their peak that at long last the Toronto jinx would be laid &hellip; And yet, when the rowdy first game had ended, the Leafs had scored a stunning 5-0 victory (their 12th playoff win in succession against Detroit) and to compound the gloom in Detroit, youthful Gordie Howe was through for the season with a skull fracture that came perilously close to ending his life &hellip; &ldquo;Despite the fact that we didn&rsquo;t have Howe,&rdquo; Red Kelly said, &ldquo;we went on to win that series, which was really a rough one, and to me that was a tremendous thrill, finally beating Toronto. Leo Reise won the series in the seventh game in sudden &mdash; death overtime (8:34) when he flipped a puck from the point and it took a bad hop in front of Turk Broda and went into the net. I can still see that shot&rdquo; &hellip; The Red Wings also went on to win the Stanley Cup that year.</p><p><b>DETROIT RED WINGS WON</b> the Stanley Cup in eight straight games in 1951-52 &hellip; &ldquo;We are the first team to ever do that,&rdquo; Red said, &ldquo;and that was a big thrill because we knew it was a record that would always stand. It could be tied, but not broken&rdquo; &hellip; (Of course, now with expansion, it could be. Some team will eventually win the cup with 12 successive victories) &hellip; In the 1959-60 season, Red Kelly quit hockey rather than go to New York in a trade, then agreed to join Toronto &hellip; There was a lot of bitterness about that development, and Detroit fans made it rough on Red whenever he played at the Olympia &hellip; &ldquo;But,&rdquo; Red mused, &ldquo;I got one of my biggest thrills in hockey the first time I played against Detroit in the semi-finals that year. They were leading us 2-0 and I was sitting on the bench, thinking about what I would do if I got in scoring position. Terry Sawchuk, I realized, would know what I&rsquo;d be most likely to do, because it was Mr. Adams&rsquo; theory that if you kept the puck low, you&rsquo;d score. And I also got thinking about the way Rocket Richard would harass a defenseman, break in on him so quickly he&rsquo;d confuse him. When I got out there, I tried the Rocket act on Pete Goegan, busted right in on him as he was turning, and he tried to get rid of the puck too quickly. It hit my toe and bounced behind him. I got it, looked at Sawchuk, and fired it high into the far corner. Maybe he was expecting a low shot, maybe it was just a lucky shot, but it went in. I got a second goal, tying the score, and it was a high shot, too. We went on to win that game, 4-2, and the series&rdquo; &hellip; Montreal knocked off the Leafs in the final, but in 1961-62 Kelly was an integral part in the Leafs winning the first of three successive Stanley Cups.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-03536/3138022-1-eng-US/f0014-032.jpg" title="f0014-03" width="269" height="430"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Pete Goegan</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0014-01

IN THIS ISSUE

Footloose

<h2><b>BREAKDOWN OF TEAM STANDINGS</b></h2><h3><b>EASTERN DIVISION</b></h3><p><b>Aaginst Own Division</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-02664/3137264-1-eng-US/f0005-022.jpg" title="f0005-02" width="582" height="233"></div><p><b>Against Other Division</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-03489/3137257-1-eng-US/f0005-032.jpg" title="f0005-03" width="586" height="239"></div><h3><b>WESTERN DIVISION</b></h3><p><b>Against own Division</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-04326/3137250-1-eng-US/f0005-042.jpg" title="f0005-04" width="574" height="237"></div><p><b>Against other Divsion</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-05209/3137243-1-eng-US/f0005-052.jpg" title="f0005-05" width="580" height="234"></div><h2><b>TEAMS&rsquo; HOME-AND-AWAY RECORD</b></h2><h3><b>EASTERN DIVISION</b></h3><p><b>AT HOME</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-06130/3137236-1-eng-US/f0005-062.jpg" title="f0005-06" width="577" height="234"></div><p><b>On The Road</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-0775/3137229-1-eng-US/f0005-072.jpg" title="f0005-07" width="576" height="243"></div><h3><b>WESTERN DIVISION</b></h3><p><b>AT HOME</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-0850/3137222-1-eng-US/f0005-082.jpg" title="f0005-08" width="582" height="232"></div><p><b>On The Road</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-0931/3137215-1-eng-US/f0005-092.jpg" title="f0005-09" width="588" height="235"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0005-02

How NHL Clubs Compared

<p>TORONTO, Ont.</p><p>Fiery Forbes Kennedy of the Toronto Maple Leafs will have fond recollections of 1968-69 Stanley Cup playoffs as long as he plays hockey.</p><p>The hardnosed winger, acquired by the Leafs in a late-season trade from Philadelphia, was slapped down rather forcefully by the National Hockey League for his aggressiveness in the Boston-Toronto playoff donnybrook of April 2.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-02713/3136977-1-eng-US/f0002-022.jpg" title="f0002-02" width="252" height="402"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Forbes Kennedy</b></figcaption></div><p>The NHL meted out a four-game suspension and hit Kennedy with a personal $1,000 fine for taking a sock at linesman George Ashley during the penalty-filled brawling playoff opener.</p><p>Kennedy was the central figure and according to NHL president Clarence Campbell, the instigator of the fighting.</p><p>The rugged Maple Leaf became embroiled with several of the Bruins notably goaler Gerry Cheevers and winger Johnny McKenzie and was in a fighting mood before he was ejected from the game by referee John Ashley following his attack on the lines man.</p><p>The Kennedy - Cheevers battle stemmed from a running feud the two had carried on all during the game. When Kennedy jumped Cheevers, Boston defenseman Ted Green cross-checked Kennedy and cut him across the nose.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0002-02

NHL Slaps $1,000 Fine On Kennedy

<div class="byline">BY NORMAN MacLEAN</div><p>NEW YORK. N.Y. &mdash;</p><p>In many ways the 1968-69 season was the most successful in the history of the New York hockey club. The team scored the most wins ever (41), notched the most points ever (91), scored more goals than any other Ranger team (231) and established a new attendance record when 620,544 fans poured through the turnstiles at the new Madison Square Garden.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-01806/3137402-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="244" height="416"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Ed Giacomin</b></figcaption></div><p>Artistically the team placed third, finishing the regular campaign with a smash weekend double triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs which assured the third spot. Eddie Giacomin, the Rangers Most Valuable Player notched his seventh shutout in the Sunday contest and finished as the runnerup in the Vezina Trophy race. Eddie pocketed a neat $750.00 as a result.</p><p>As the Rangers skated off the ice after the last game of the regular season, they received a standing two minute ovation from the Garden fans, who had just seen them go through their eighteenth straight game at home unbeaten. This tied the mark of the 1939-40 Stanley Cup winners and set the mood for the upcoming playoffs.</p><p>&ldquo;We want the cup,&rdquo; chorused the Blueshirt faithful. &ldquo;You can do it.&rdquo;</p><p>Without a doubt this epitomizes the mood of Rangerville, which may even be said to be slowly being spoiled with success. The Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens, the quarter final round protagonists in the Stanley Cup games are the only two teams in the National Hockey League to make the playoffs three years in a row.</p><p>How far the Blueshirts go in the current playoffs will depend upon two key performers in the opinion of this observer. They are goalie Eddie Giacomin and center Jean Ratelle. Giacomin will be playing in his third playoff series this spring. He had a poor effort against Montreal in 1966-67 and an average one a year ago. He now has the experience in the Cup games to rise to the occasion and make the big save as he has done so often in the regular season.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-02700/3137395-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="1173" height="1023"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Ranger star VIC HADFIELD receives Catholic Youth Organization award as the &lsquo;most popular Ranger&rsquo; from club delegation at center ice presentation ceremony.</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;Eddie Giacomin is the best goalie in the NHL,&rdquo; says Emile Francis, the Rangers General Manager-Coach. &ldquo;He should be getting the Vezina Trophy, not Jacques Plante and Glenn Hall. The award should take durability into account as well as ability. A goalie should have to play 50 games in order to be eligible, just like a batting champion has to come to the plate a least 500 times.&rdquo;</p><p>Giacomin&rsquo;s winning of the West Side Association Trophy as the Most Valuable Ranger was a deserved award. New York and Eddie kept the goals against figure under 200 with only 196 red lights being chalked up against the Rangers. No other NHL team can make that statement, except St. Louis which specializes in stalling.</p><p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t do it all myself,&rdquo; insisted Eddie. &ldquo;We have a heck of a defense in front of me and they sure did a job.&rdquo;</p><p>Giacomin was talking about the most mobile defense in the NHL in Brad Park, Jim Neilson, Arnie Brown and Rod Seiling. Both Brown and Neilson finished with 10 goals as the defense picked up the attacking tempo in the second half of the season.</p><p>Giacomin himself is confident this term. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not Joe Namath, but I think that we can give a good account of ourselves against Montreal. I will make a prediction WHEN we get to the finals.&rdquo;</p><p>In order to get to the finals, New York must have more of same from Jean Ratelle, the 1968-69 winner of the Player&rsquo;s Player award. Ratty, the unselfish picture hockey player finished in a blazing red hot streak which lifted him to 32 goals, 46 assists and 78 points. He tallied at least a point in his last thirteen games with his log over that span being a neat 12 goals and 10 assists.</p><p>Ratelle, who suffered through a six week goal scoring drought in December and January is the key to the Rangers big attack line He makes the plays that Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield convert into goals. Amazingly, although Gilbert is usually thought of as the goal scorer on the line, Ratty has edged him in the matter of scoring two years in a row. Jean also got 32-goals last season when Rod got 29. This year Gilbert chipped in with 28, which was quite a contribution, considering the fact that he had a fractured ankle and missed three weeks of Play.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0007-01

Rangers End Best Year Ever As Record 620,544 Fans See Blues Win More, Score More

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0001-02141/3139406-1-eng-US/f0001-022.jpg" title="f0001-02" width="709" height="1032"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PUNCH IMLACH &hellip; Fired By Leafs</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0001-01169/3139413-1-eng-US/f0001-012.jpg" title="f0001-01" width="222" height="263"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0001-0370/3139399-1-eng-US/f0001-032.jpg" title="f0001-03" width="680" height="1029"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JOHN BOWER &hellip; Time To Quit</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0001-0417/3139392-1-eng-US/f0001-042.jpg" title="f0001-04" width="699" height="1035"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>TIM HORTON &hellip; Went With Punch</b></figcaption></div><p><b><i>Complete Stanley Cup Story</i></b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0001-059/3139385-1-eng-US/f0001-052.jpg" title="f0001-05" width="601" height="1318"></div><p><b><i>On pages 2-10-11-13</i></b></p><p><b><i>LORENTZ, MATHERS, LAYCOE WIN - -Hockey News Minor Awards &mdash;Page 3</i></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0001-02

Winning Cup Not Enough To Save Imlach’s Job —ON THE INSIDE

f0002-03

Stanley Cup Scoreboard

<div class="byline">BY PAT CURRAN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-01767/3136946-1-eng-US/f0002-012.jpg" title="f0002-01" width="480" height="1036"></div><p>MONTREAL, Que.&mdash;</p><p>Coach Claude Ruel placed his keys to playoff victory right on the line as the Canadiens faced the Rangers in the Stanley Cup quarter-final. Gump Worsley picked them up and opened the door as the Habs won four straight.</p><p>The keys as far as the young Montreal coach was concerned consisted of better goaltending than the club had received during the schedule despite the Habs&rsquo; run to the Eastern Division crown.</p><p>&ldquo;These are two well-balanced teams and no doubt it will be a skating series,&rdquo; said Ruel before the teams settled down to play. &ldquo;But the difference could be in goaltending. My goalies will have to play better than they did during the season. They can&rsquo;t afford to give up soft goals, like 55 and 60-footers and we allowed too many during the schedule.&rdquo;</p><p>The rookie NHL coach added that he wasn&rsquo;t asking for miracles from Worsley or Rogatien Vachon but just some good solid goalkeeping, which he received.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s like pitching in baseball which means so much. Playoff hockey needs those big saves.&rdquo;</p><p>Later, probably figuring that he had sounded off too much for print and fearing that his goalies might resent public criticism, Ruel tried to cover up from the horde of Montreal and New York writers seeking pre-series copy.</p><p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have to say that. You guys know. You saw our games,&rdquo; snarled Ruel, taking a leaf from Toe Blake&rsquo;s old book.</p><p>However he was mistaken if he expected the veteran Worsley to react adversely.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m the last guy anybody has to tell that the goaltending has been spotty,&rdquo; said the 39-year-old veteran of 15 NHL seasons, including 10 with the Rangers and five with Canadiens with whom he has had a hand in three Stanley Cup triumphs and two Vezina Trophy awards.</p><p>&ldquo;Frankly, I&rsquo;ve been lousy. I&rsquo;ve been giving up bad goals.&rdquo;</p><p>He had one big reason for some of his mediocre efforts on a 2.26 season average, 19 wins, six losses and four ties.</p><p>&ldquo;When the other team has been busting in, I&rsquo;ve been going out to cut the angle and then moving back into the net. I&rsquo;ve wound up giving them more of an angle than they had in the first place. It doesn&rsquo;t make sense for a guy like me to be doing these things. I&rsquo;ve been around long enough to know better.&rdquo;</p><p>At the same time, the Gumper was relieved with the arrival of the playoffs, figuring his team-mates would start playing their game instead of going all out for goals and having things backfire like a 3-0 lead late in the schedule against Toronto and Boston.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-04398/3136939-1-eng-US/f0002-042.jpg" title="f0002-04" width="1751" height="1251"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Hab&rsquo;s gooler GUMP WORSLEY is knocked off balance by ricocheting puck in playoff action.</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve always been checkers as well as goal scorers, that&rsquo;s when we play best.&rdquo;</p><p>Evidently Worsley got both messages, that of the coach and his self-criticism, going into the series against New York. Although he didn&rsquo;t have much work in the playoff opener which Canadiens went on to win 3-1, the old goalie was sharp and appeared to pull off one of the &lsquo;miracles&rsquo; Ruel hadn&rsquo;t really expected.</p><p>That was a quick skate save off Bob Nevin when the penaltykilling Rangers blasted pointblank from 25-foot range.</p><p>Gump staved sharp in the next game, giving up two goals on which he had little chance and made 26 saves.</p><p>&ldquo;If we win all our home games, we win the Stanley Cup,&rdquo; offered Worsley who posted most of his season victories before the critical home fans.</p><p>The Canadiens came out of the opening games nursing several injuries. Jean Beliveau was sidelined halfway through the opener due to a bad bruise on the right hip but got back for the second contest in which he scored a big goal. Right-wing Claude Provost suffered pulled leg muscles in the first game and missed the second one. Defenseman Jacques Laperriere became the latest casualty with a pulled groin in the second game.</p><p>His injury opened the way for Terry Harper to see action after he had played only one game &mdash; the schedule windup at Boston &mdash; following three months layoff due to knee surgery. The Harp made a hit with the home crowd and helped lift the Habs to their comeback victory.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0002-01

Habs’ Coach Ruel Figured Goaltending Key To Playoff Victory Over Rangers

<div class="byline">BY BOB HARRIS</div><p>MONTREAL, Que.&mdash;</p><p>The Boston Bruins are anxiously rubbing their palms awaiting the day when young Jim Lorentz steps up to take his place as a regular in the National Hockey League.</p><p>Most pro hockey observers are unanimous that the high-scoring winger of the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League is a &lsquo;can&rsquo;t miss&rsquo; prospect for the big time.</p><p>The editors of THE HOCKEY NEWS agree that Lorentz is the finest hockey performer outside of the NHL and for this reason have selected him as minor league player-of-the-year in their second annual awards selections.</p><p>In addition to Lorentz, THE HOCKEY NEWS chose Frank Mathers of Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League as the outstanding executive of the year and picked Hal Laycoe of the Western Hockey League Portland Buckaroos as coach-of-the-year.</p><p>Lorentz this season collected 102 points to capture the Central League scoring championship with the Blazers. The hard-skating Oklahoma ace was called up by the parent Bruins for 11 games this season and it is a certainty he will be up with the varsity next season after his spectacular year in the CHL.</p><p>The naming of Lorentz, Mathers and Laycoe for the top minor awards marks the second year THE HOCKEY NEWS has honored the leading figures outside the NHL. Last season, Ron Ward of Tulsa was picked as best player, Joe Crozier of Rochester as coach of the year and Jerry DeLise of Muskegon of the IHL as outstanding executive of 1967-68.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-01773/3137053-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg" title="f0003-01" width="541" height="588"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>FRANK MATHERS &hellip; Executive Of Year</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-02647/3137046-1-eng-US/f0003-022.jpg" title="f0003-02" width="550" height="587"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>HAL LAYCOE &hellip; Coach Of Year</b></figcaption></div><p>Both Mathers and Laycoe have continually resisted offers from NHL teams to move up to the big leagues over the years.</p><p>Mathers, one of the most popular and knowledgeable executives in pro hockey took on the added task of general manager this season as well as coach of the Hershey club.</p><p>The scholarly Mathers, finishing up his 13th season with the Bears, retired as player-coach after the 1961-62 season. He formerly played in the NHL with Toronto and was named coach of Hershey in 1956-57.</p><p>The dean of AHL coaches, he has guided Hershey teams to two Calder Cups in 1957-58 and 1958-59. The Bears have won the Eastern Division crown in the AHL for the past three winters.</p><p>Laycoe, also a one-time NHL defenseman with Montreal and Boston, has been the premier coach in the Western League for nearly a decade. His Portland teams have won five straight regularseason titles and seven in the last eight years. Laycoe has also guided the Buckaroos to five WHL playoff championships and has continually moulded contending teams despite the fact Portland is one of the few independent operations in professional hockey.</p><p>The Buckaroos are back knocking on the door of the trophy room this season and Laycoe is still at the helm, resisting all attempts by the National Hockey League to bring him into the big time fold as a coach. He is gearing his high-scoring Buckaroos for another shot at the title.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-03437/3137039-1-eng-US/f0003-032.jpg" title="f0003-03" width="1177" height="1657"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JIM LORENTZ &hellip; Oklahoma Ace Top Player</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0003-01

Bruin Chattel Lorentz Named ‘Player Of Year’

<div class="byline">Ken McKenzie&#x2019;s</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-01831/3137105-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="380" height="444"></div><p>&bull; <b>PUNCH IMLACH&rsquo;S</b> firing set another NHL playoff record&hellip; Stafford Smythe, Toronto president, fired Imlach less than two minutes after the game ended eliminating the Leafs from the Stanley Cup playoffs in four straight games. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the end of the Imlach era,&rdquo; Smythe told the ex-Toronto leader&hellip; &ldquo;He&rsquo;s through altogether,&rdquo; Smythe said. &ldquo;The reason? We went into the expansion draft as Stanley Cup champions and two years later we still haven&rsquo;t won a game in the Cup playoffs&rdquo;&hellip; Smythe wasted little time in announcing that Jim Gregory would succeed Imlach as general manager and Johnny McLellan as coach&hellip; Smythe also added that Punch was to be fired even if the Leafs had won, the Stanley Cup&hellip; &ldquo;and I wish he had&rdquo;&hellip; It is expected that the 51-year-old Imlach will join Vancouver of the Western Hockey League, a club that eventually will be a member of the NHL&hellip; King Clancy, Imlach&rsquo;s assistant, will probably leave the Maple Leafs, too. He has frequently said that he&rsquo;d leave when Imlach did&hellip; By scoring two of the three Boston goals in his club&rsquo;s 3-2 win over the Leafs in the fourth and deciding game of the series, 22-year-old Derek Sanderson, proved himself to be a first-rate playoff performer. He scored the winning goal the night before as the Bruins downed the Leafs, 4-3&hellip; No NHL club in recent years has been humiliated the way Toronto Leafs were in losing 10-0 and 7-0 to Boston in the opening two games of the series&hellip; In fact the fast exit of Toronto, New York and Philadelphia in the first playoff rounds was a big disappointment to the loyal fans supporting these teams&hellip; Most of the New York Rangers players, who were sidelined by the powerful MontrealCanadiens, pick the Canadiens to beat Boston in the semi-finals&hellip; Scotty Bowman, coach of the high-flying St. Louis Blues, also calls Montreal to best Boston, but he thinks it will be a long, tough series.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-02783/3137098-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="270" height="425"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Derek Sanderson</b></figcaption></div><p>&bull; <b>REPORTS</b> are that Carl Brewer will draw about $50,000 from Detroit Red Wings next season&hellip; Rumors persist that Toe Blake will be back coaching in the NHL next season, and that he&rsquo;ll take a job with one of the expansion teams&hellip;Montreal fans rate a bodycheck thrown by Ted Harris of Canadiens on Rangers&rsquo; Jean Ratelle in the second game of the playoffs as the cleanest and hardest they&rsquo;ve seen at the Forum this year. Harris, incidentally, is one of the best all-around defensemen in the NHL and is vastly underrated &hellip; Pierre Bouchard, son of Montreal&rsquo;s ex-captain Butch Bouchard, is said to possess all the talent necessary to be a National League star. He played the season with Cleveland&rsquo; Barons &hellip; Gordie Howe played all 76 Detroit games this season. It marked his 16th complete season out of 23 that he&rsquo;s played in every game &hellip; Many feel that Toronto&rsquo;s Johnny Bower and New York&rsquo;s Harry Howell have played their last games in the NHL &hellip; After all, these oldtimers can&rsquo;t go on forever &hellip; Be sure to order your copy of the April-May issue of HOCKEY WORLD featuring The Stanley Cup Story &hellip; This is a must for every NHL fan to have during Stanley Cup playoff time &hellip; The NHL coaches name the 10 Most Underrated Players in the April-May issue of HOCKEY PICTORIAL &hellip; It&rsquo;s very revealing to say the least &hellip; &ldquo;Boston Fans Are Animals&rdquo; says Reg Fleming in the same issue of HOCKEY PICTORIAL, plus a story on how Bruins&rsquo; Gerry Cheevers keeps his cool &hellip; All but five of the 800 North American professional hockey players were born and developed in Canada &hellip; Hap Emms believes Canada must send its most competitive team to the World Championships each year or forget the whole thing &hellip; The Sid Salomons have invited their St. Louis Blues players to Florida again as soon as the playoffs are finished &hellip; John Ferguson is again playing his usual effective playoff hockey for Montreal. He&rsquo;s some player to have on your side.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-03680/3137091-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="267" height="437"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Ted Harris</b></figcaption></div><p>&bull; <b>BOBBY HULL</b> will act as color man on the CBS hockey telecasts during the playoffs. Being one of hockey&rsquo;s most articulate speakers there isn&rsquo;t a doubt in anyone&rsquo;s mind but that Bobby will do a great job &hellip; Russ Taylor, former sports announcer at Station CFCF in Montreal, is the new voice of the Montreal Expos. Always crazy about baseball, this is like a dream come true for Russ. He resigned from CFCF 20 years to the day he joined the station. A fine all-around sportscaster he should develoD into a first-class baseball announcer in no time &hellip;Emile Francis, New York&rsquo;s peppery GM-Coach says that the key issue in a NHL-Russia clash would not be the body contact but instead would be the Russians failure to match NHL standards in two areas&hellip; goaltending and shooting. The Cat purred that the Russians are still not up to NHL standards in either department. Covering the Montreal-New York series was Bill Westwick, sports editor of the Ottawa Journal. One of the nicer guys along the sports beat, Bill confided to us the other night that he&rsquo;s been covering sports for 43 years. He has a son who will be graduating as a doctor this Spring&hellip; Bob Wilson, who broadcast the Boston Bruins games over radio for the last few seasons, leaves soon to join KMOX in St. Louis&hellip; Incidentally, the St-Louis Blues are expected to pick up the professional rights to Fran Huck from the Montreal Canadiens. Huck has been a fixture on Canada&rsquo;s National Team for years and was once regarded as a sure-fire NHL player&hellip; Playoff tickets at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto went up $1.50 to an $8 tops. The Toronto Gardens used tickets this Soring which read: &ldquo;Stanley Cup Playoffs &lsquo;68&rdquo;&hellip; Harry Sinden, Boston coach and Gerry Cheevers, Bruins&rsquo; No. one goalie, were both quoted before the first game of their series with Toronto as saying: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think the games will be decided by more than one or two goals&rdquo;&hellip; So what happens the first game&hellip; Boston, 10 and Toronto, 0&hellip; The second game: Boston, 7, Toronto, 0.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-04581/3137084-1-eng-US/f0004-042.jpg" title="f0004-04" width="264" height="429"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Bob Wilson</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0004-01

PASSING THE PUCK

<p><b>OFFICIAL NATIONAL HOCKEY WEEKLY</b></p><p>Founded October 1st, 1947</p><p><b>Published weekly except monthly June through September by Ken-Will Publishing Co. Ltd. 1434 St. Catherine Street West Montreal 107, Canada.</b></p><p><b>Kenneth William McKenzie</b> President and Publisher</p><p><b>William Z. Stevenson</b> Managing Director</p><p><b>Yearly Subscription Rates: $5.00 in Canada</b></p><p><b>$6.00 in the U.S.A, and $8.00 in Foreign Countries.</b></p><p>Postage paid at Rouses Point, N.Y.</p><p>Authorized as second class mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa. Second class mail registration number 1327</p><p><b>Printed in Canada</b></p><p><b>Vol. 22 MONTREAL, APRIL 12, 1969 No. 27</b></p><h2><b>Let Russians Face Junior Club First</b></h2><p>I think that before the Russians have the privilege of playing against an NHL team, they should play the powerful Junior Canadiens of Montreal. A few years ago the Russians were beaten by a bolstered Junior Canadiens team. As is the general case in sports, the Russians must earn the right to play the NHL. So first they must show us that they are better than they were.</p><p>If such a meeting came about, I think that the present team the Junior Canadiens have would send the Russians back to the U.S.S.R. for a few years to practice. In international competition the Russian team hasn&rsquo;t had to cope with scoring talent like Rejean Houle or Marc Tardif. They also haven&rsquo;t been hit the way Andre Dupont and Garry Connelly would hit them.</p><p>Playing under NHL rules and using NHL officials, I think the Juniors would easily take a best-of-seven series.</p><p>Unfortunately this will probably never happen as the Russians couldn&rsquo;t take the chance of losing and setting their great dream of beating the NHL back ten years.</p><p><b>ROBERT DESKIN, Montreal, Que.</b></p><h2><b>Wearing Of Helmets Should Be Mandatory</b></h2><p>I could not help commenting on an article in the Fans&rsquo; Corner (March 22) concerning the wearing of helmets.</p><p>I was shocked to read that two fans felt helmets should be sacrificed to keep the fans close to the players.</p><p>Is seeing the players&rsquo; hair not less important than not seeing his blood? Surely if there is the slightest chance of death or serious injury, helmets should be made mandatory.</p><p>Speaking as a player I find the helmet is not a hinderance but a reassurance and I would not play a game of hockey without one.</p><p><b>ALASTAIR McKEATING, Etobicoke, Ont.</b></p><h2><b>Put Referee In Stands Solution To Problems</b></h2><p>I have been a Ranger season ticket holder for the last three years. Although I feel that hockey is a great game, something must be done about the awful officiating. When Detroit coach Bill Gadsby referred to the officiating as &lsquo;garbage refeering&rsquo;, nothing could be more correct.</p><p>The problem in my eyes is that the officiating is much too inconsistent. When a penalty should be called, it isn&rsquo;t. Obviously, this is not right. The only solution is to have a referee in the stands where he can see everything on the ice.</p><p><b>MICHAEL SWEIG, New York, N.Y.</b></p><h2><b>Ferguson Deserving Of Rookie Honors</b></h2><p>In recent polls conducted by THE HOCKEY WORLD and HOCKEY PICTORIAL the coaches unofficially selected Gerry Desjardins as rookie of the year. With a 3.25 mark, how is this possible? Or as the Minnesota writers and THE HOCKEY NEWS have indicated, Danny Grant should be a shoo-in for the award.</p><p>But how about Norm Ferguson of Oakland, who scored 34 goals, the same number as Grant. But Norm has been a driving force for Oakland the last couple of months and helped pull them into second place. Besides Minnesota finished out of the playoffs.</p><p>In my opinion Grant shouldn&rsquo;t even be eligible for the rookie award. He played 22 games last season and should not be considered a &lsquo;freshman&rsquo;. Ferguson is more qualified in my opinion.</p><p><b>DAVID HOFFMAN, Sheho, Sask.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Fan Forum

<p><b>MARY MADSEN,</b> style expert, Chicago, Illinois:</p><p>&ldquo;The Pittsburgh Penquins. The combination of the light blue and dark blue gives an effect of coolness, an impression of ice, which is just right for hockey.&rdquo;</p><p><b>RITA BARTLETT,</b> artist, Philadelphia, Pa.</p><p>&ldquo;Oakland has a nice, clean uniform, simple, yet bright. Chicago and L.A. are too gaudy, although the Kings&rsquo; colors are right for their nickname. Hockey uniforms look awkward and unattractive and something should be done to re-design them.&rdquo;</p><p><b>JIM SILVERA, TV</b> camerman, Vancouver. B.C.:</p><p>&ldquo;Chicago Black Hawks have the most eye catching hockey suits I have ever seen. I had the occasion to be behind the cameras for some NHL games a few years ago when I was working in the East and I was always impressed with their gleaming white and black uniforms with red and gold Indian trimmings. I understand their blood red home sweaters are even better.&rdquo;</p><p><b>RICHARD COE,</b> Research Analyst New Haven, Conn. &ldquo;The Canadiens uniform is by far the most colorful. There is a certain magic about it, particularly the home reds that the Montreal team wears. The symbolic CH on the sweater is simple and is the most famous team coat of arms in hockey.</p><p><b>JANE HOWARD,</b> Ski Instructor Stowe, Vt. &ldquo;The Boston Bruins have the best uniform. It is almost all one color &mdash; brown and there is no conflict between Boston and the other team on the ice. Some teams both have red pants and their colors clash when they meet. I also like the Boston emblem on the sweater.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

THE FANS’ CORNER

<div class="byline">BY GLENN REDMANN</div><p>TWIN CITIES, Minn.</p><p>The inability to win (1) at home and (2) against established East Division opposition were &mdash; without a doubt &mdash; the key factors in Minnesota&rsquo;s failure to gain a coveted berth in the National Hockey League&rsquo;s Stanley Cup playoffs.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-01773/3137184-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg" title="f0005-01" width="263" height="355"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Wren Blair</b></figcaption></div><p>These glaring weaknesses stuck out like a couple of king-sized sore thumbs when the NHL released its final statistics from Montreal on March 31.</p><p>At home, where the up-and-down Minnesotans played to just under a half million customers, the record was a sorry 11 victories, 21 defeats and six ties.</p><p>In inter-divisional competition, the North Stars&rsquo; record was a downright pitiful one of four victories, 26 defeats &mdash; that&rsquo;s right, 26 defeats out of 36 games &mdash; and six ties.</p><p>As you might&rsquo;ve expected, both of these records were dead last among the league&rsquo;s six, second-year expansion franchises and far below the output of Wren Blair&rsquo;s less talented and deeper but obviously more hungry 1967-68 crew.</p><p>&ldquo;I still can&rsquo;t decide which of these two records is the most disappointing to me personally,&rdquo; said Blair after returning home from the West Coast where the North Stars lost to Oakland (7-2) and tied Los Angeles (3-3) in their last two games.</p><p>&ldquo;When I look at what we did at home,&rdquo; added The Bird, &ldquo;I have to believe that we let out fans down something terribly.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got the greatest fans around and they deserved a lot more than we were able to give them.&rdquo;</p><p>Before the start of the season, Blair expressed confidence that his charges could come close to matching their splendid Sports Center record (17-12-8) of a year ago though the schedule called for six additional games against the established clubs.</p><p>&ldquo;I set a goal of 24 points in dur 36 games against the old clubs,&rdquo; said Wren. &ldquo;In view of what we did against them last season (a highly-respectable 17-12-8), I didn&rsquo;t think this was at all unreasonable.&rdquo;</p><p>Unreasonable or not, the Minnesotans fell 10 points short of that goal while the four teams that made the playoffs from the West-St. Louis Oakland. Philadelphia and Los Angeles &mdash; either passed or came close to reaching it.</p><p>In intra-divisional play, the North Stars&rsquo; 37-point production in 40 games compared favorably to all West Division rivals except St. Louis, which piled up an incredible 27-8-5 record.</p><p>Eleven of those 37 points were racked up against Red Kelly&rsquo;s Los Angeles Kings, who lost all four games to the Stars at the Sports Center and managed only one victory along with three ties in Jack Kent Cooke&rsquo;s lush $16.5 million Forum.</p><p>&ldquo;If we&rsquo;d have played every team in our division as tough as we played the Kings,&rdquo; bemoaned Blair, &ldquo;we would be in the playoffs. You figure to lose some games at home to the expansion clubs, but not as many as we did this season.&rdquo;</p><p>As a road club, the Minnesotans were outscored by a top-heavy margin of 155-to-91, yet still managed to pull off seven victories and nine ties as against 22 defeats. None of those triumphs, however, were scored on an East Division rink.</p><p>&ldquo;It really doesn&rsquo;t make much difference if you finish fifth or sixth when you don&rsquo;t make the playoffs,&rdquo; said Blair before the West Coast trip. After the trip, however, he agreed that a tie for fifth &ldquo;sounds better&rdquo; than last place.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0005-01

Poor Home Record. Inability To Beat East Top Factors

<div class="byline">BY JIM PROUDFOOT</div><p>TORONTO, Ont.&mdash;</p><p>The Toronto Maple Leafs went out of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a thud but the bomb club president Stafford Smythe dropped when the series was all over was beard clear around the National Hockey League.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-01861/3137309-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="262" height="428"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Tim Horton</b></figcaption></div><p>Smythe fired managercoach George &lsquo;Punch&rsquo; Imlach just minutes after the Maple Leafs were vanquished by the Boston Bruins in four straight games in their best-of-seven semi-final playoff series.</p><p>Following close on the heels of Smythe&rsquo;s announcement came the disclosure by veterans Tim Horton and Johnny Bower that they, too, would be leaving the Leafs. Both sajd they were retiring.</p><p>Horton, who is 39 and the 44-year-old Bower were close associates of Imlach and two of his most loyal supporters and performers through his coaching career with the Leafs. Imlach disclosed that the had known for some time that he was through with the Leafs.</p><p>Smythe announced at an impromptu press conference that Jim Gregory, director of Toronto&rsquo;s amateur development program, was hired as general manager to replace Imlach four weeks ago.</p><p>Smythe said he would recommend that John McLellan, coach of Tulsa Oilers, Leafs&rsquo; Central Hockey League tarm club, be hired as coach.</p><p>I don&rsquo;t like doing what had to be done in firing a personal friend, but it sure hurts to lose four straight, Smythe said.</p><p>&ldquo;This would have happened if he had won the Stanley Cup and I wish he had.&rdquo;</p><p>The Leaf players were almost the last to know, Imlach had returned to the dressing room, shook hands with each of his players and left without saying a word about his firing.</p><p>Imlach&rsquo;s next move may be to Vancouver which is in line for an NHL franchise when the league next expands, possibly in 1971.</p><p>Punch&rsquo;s five-year contract expires at the end of the 1969-70 season and Smythe said he would honor the agreement. Imlach earned an estimated $38,000 a year.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-02701/3137302-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg" title="f0006-02" width="551" height="567"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PUNCH IMLACH &hellip; Knew it was coming</b></figcaption></div><p>The strained relationship between Smythe and Imlach deteriorated after the Leafs failed to make the playoffs last season for the first time since he took over in 1958.</p><p>Smythe wanted Imlach to step down as coach last December and concentrate on his general manager duties. Imlach retained both jobs with a promise that the Leafs would make the playoffs.</p><p>McLellan was reportely under consideration then for the job.</p><p>The disclosure by Bower that he was guitting evoked litte surprise, However, Horton&rsquo;s retirement caught everyone flatfooted.</p><p>&ldquo;This is it for me,&rdquo; said Horton when informed that Imlach had been fired with a year still remaining on his $38,000 Toronto contract.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll have to tell the front office,&rdquo; said a tearful Bower, &ldquo;but you can say that this is my last game.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m very sorry for Punch. I owe him a lot.</p><p>&ldquo;He brought me to Toronto and he put money in my pocket. He&rsquo;s been good to me and I&rsquo;m sorry to have this happen to him.&rdquo;</p><p>Horton, asked whether his retirement was directly connected with Imlach&rsquo;s departure, said:</p><p>&ldquo;Yes it is. He was a great guy to play for. He put a lot of money in our pockets.</p><p>&ldquo;I said it before that when Punch goes, I&rsquo;ll go out the same door and I mean it.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-03513/3137295-1-eng-US/f0006-032.jpg" title="f0006-03" width="1749" height="1065"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Leafs&rsquo; netminder BRUCE GAMBLE was responsible for team making playoffs.</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0006-01

Leafs Fire Punch Imlach As Manager-Coach

<p>PHILADELPHIA, Pa. &mdash;</p><p>The Spectrum certainly must appeal to Bill Sutherland.</p><p>Since rejoining the Flyers for the final month of the season following his trade from Toronto, Sutherland had scored seven goals in 12 games.</p><p>That&rsquo;s exactly the same number of Goals he had scored while seeing sporadic duty with the Maple Leafs for the first five months of the campaign.</p><p>Sutherland, who scored 20 goals for the Flyers last season but then was lost in the NHL draft last summer, was part of the trade which saw Gerry Meehan and Mike Byers, a pair of young forwards, come to Philadelphia for forwards Brit Selby and Forbes Kennedy.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

‘Sudsy’ Sizzles On Spectrum Ice

<p class="dropcap"><span>C</span>OTTON STRINGS - the hottest new demand item since the turtle. Tuned to the fashion of cool clear hues. Featured here by our two fashion models Jacques Lemaire wears a high V style #220; Jacques Laperriere a mock turtle style #221. Other styles available come in marl tones and pencil stripes. Make sure to ask for them by name &ldquo;KAMBERN ORIGINALS&rdquo;. Our full spring collection can be seen on display at your leading Men&rsquo;s Wear Store or Department store from coast to coast.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-04357/3137364-1-eng-US/f0006-042.jpg" title="f0006-04" width="712" height="725"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PHOTO BY Famous Studio PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE STARS</b></figcaption></div><p><b>Highland Knitting Mills</b></p><p>Montreal, Canada<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0006-04

“KAMBERN ORIGINALS”

<p>NEW YORK. N.Y. &mdash;</p><p>New York was 6-13-1 against the East under Bernard Geoffrion and 11-5-4 under Emile Francis for an overall 17-18-5 log &hellip; Over the last 33 games the Rangers lost only 8 times and over the last 19 contests they went under only three times &hellip; Harry Howell dressed for the playoffs and Bob Blackburn, the spare fifth defenseman returned to Buffalo of the AHL &hellip;. Bob Nevin also got 32 goals to tie Ratelie for the club leadership in that department &hellip; Rangers sold 4,000 Cup tickets in one hour and five minutes on Sunday March 30. Over five thousand voung Ranger fans lined up the night before to scramble for the precious ducats &hellip; Ranger away playoff games are being carried live and in color by WOR TV Channel Nine &hellip; Francis is using the Walt Tkaczuk-Bob Nevin-Dave Balon line as a holding combo and the Phil Goyette-Donnie Marshall-Ron Stewart trio as his checking line versus Montreal &hellip; Canadiens and Rangers have split eight previous playoff series &hellip; Rangers won season series from Canucks by a 4-3-1 margin &hellip; Ranger players received over $18,000 in bonuses for keeping the goals against total under 200.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-03521/3137433-1-eng-US/f0007-032.jpg" title="f0007-03" width="250" height="419"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Bob Nevin</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0007-03

Rangers Improved Record Against East Under ‘Cat’

<div class="byline">By Bill Libby</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-01848/3137471-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="305" height="368"></div><h2><b><i>A Winning Coach That&rsquo;s Fred Glover</i></b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>F</span>reddie Glover is a small, reserved guy who seems as if he doesn&rsquo;t want to give anything of himself away to anyone. He holds himself apart from you and cocks his head and considers each question seriously and gives his answers in as few words as possible, leaving you with the suspicion that he is not telling you all he feels. He is one of those who is good at giving the answers your supposed to give.</p><p>Freddie is 41, out of Toronto. He spent 20 seasons in the American League minors and only two in the National League. He scored 520 goals as a pro, which is more than anyone else except Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard, and he holds just about every possible record in the American circuit, even most penalty minutes, yet he says he never had any complaint about lack of big-time opportunity.</p><p>&ldquo;I felt from time to time I could do better in the NHL than some who were up there and that maybe my record earned me more chance,&rdquo; he shrugs, &ldquo;but I was never angry about it over the years and I&rsquo;m not bitter about it now. Other people have to make the decisions as to who goes up and who stays down and we have to live with these decisions. I guess they make mistakes, but I guess they make most of the right moves or they wouldn&rsquo;t be where they are.</p><p>He spent 15 seasons in Cleveland, the last six as playing coach, in which time he missed the playoffs only once , and won one championship. Offered the Oakland Seals&rsquo; coaching job he took it, even though it was for one year at ordinary money the team was a last-place team, home town, and was in constant jeopardy of being transferred to another town. &ldquo;I was happy where I was,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Some people have a burning desire to do one thing, like playing or coaching in the NHL, but I never did, I was never unhappy in the AHL. I knew the Seals job was a job with a lot of problems, but that&rsquo;s what I like about it. I&rsquo;ve never been able to turn away from a good challenge.&rdquo;</p><p>So he retired from the active ranks and says he doesn&rsquo;t miss playing a bit, although when we spoke to him late in the season he had an angry five-stitch wound in his forehead which betrayed his desire to continue skating with the boys. &ldquo;It doens&rsquo;t prove a thing,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;except that when you&rsquo;re skating behind the net in practice, you better be ready to duck. I don&rsquo;t miss playing. I had enough ot it. Coaching&rsquo;s plenty tor me.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-02752/3137464-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="515" height="673"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>FRED GLOVER &hellip; Doesn&rsquo;t Miss Playing</b></figcaption></div><p>He and manager Frank Selke Jr. completely rebuilt the Seals and he coached them to tremendously increased success this season, handicaps notwithstanding. &ldquo;What kind of coach am I? I try to play fair with the guys. If they&rsquo;re fair with me, I&rsquo;m fair with them,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I think that&rsquo;s what the guys think of me, too, and that&rsquo;s enough. I expect them to give it everything they&rsquo;ve got. I give it everything I&rsquo;ve got.</p><p>He always did. Although he was small, he used to say, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a great equalizier to have a stick in your hand. Everyone carrying a stick is the same size&rdquo;. He was not exactly beloved by his foes in the AHL. Now he can only smash inanimate objects in moments of fury, yet he says, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;m real tough. I&rsquo;m no fire-and-brimstone guy. When things pop, I try to keep my mouth shut and think about what I want to say before I speak. I think if you let something sit with you awhile, you figure it out just the way you want it.</p><p>&ldquo;I try to get to know the guys personally, so I can reach them. They&rsquo;re all different. And I feel if I can help make each individually the best player he can be, it makes me the best coach I can be, and it&rsquo;ll pay off for us all collectively. We&rsquo;ve had success this season, which is a helluva thrill, really, but you can&rsquo;t let up.&rdquo;</p><p>He says, &ldquo;Coaching is basically the same, whether it&rsquo;s in the minors or majors. There&rsquo;s pressure on all coaches. We have to win. It&rsquo;s a little worse up here because there&rsquo;s more constant attention paid to you and there&rsquo;s more money and prestige at stake for everyone. You have to have an outlet or you blow up. I have my family&mdash;my wife, Marie, and my daughter, Nancy, who&rsquo;s nine. And my friends. A guy has to have people who will sit down with him and talk other things besides hockey.</p><p>&ldquo;I miss friends in Cleveland and around the American League, I spent a lot of my life there. But I&rsquo;m making friends in Oakland and I know a lot of good people around the National League now, too,&rdquo; he points out. The friends come easy when you&rsquo;re winning, ot course. But one suspects this guy is a choosy sort, who is not easily fooled.</p><h2><b><i>A Losing Manager That&rsquo;s Jack Riley</i></b></h2><p>Jack Riley, also out of Toronto and the American League, of which he was president for two seasons, has no shortage of friends, only of victories. A friendly gentleman who had a short career as a player and a long career as a coach and manager in the minors, says he&rsquo;s not sorry he took over as manager of Pittsburgh&rsquo;s new expansion team, although the team has finished last these last two seasons. Like Glover, he say, It&rsquo;s the challenge. And it&rsquo;s still out there. I have another year to go on my contract and I don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;ll be fired. It&rsquo;s a hard business and the losers suffer. I go to sleep with this thing and I wake up with it, but I still think I can beat it.&rdquo;</p><p>Riley admits he now feels it was a mistake to go with name veterans and is trying to rebuild now with young prospects. &ldquo;We went the way the old owners wanted it, but now we have new owners, who want it different,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We have a good nucleus of promising players now. Attendance has been terrible, but we have a good building in a good area and we can&rsquo;t expect support until we earn it. The owners say they&rsquo;ll give it three more years. After that, who knows?&rdquo; We asked him why Vancouver sought the Seals, not his Penguins. &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s to say they didn&rsquo;t?&rdquo; he smiled Maybe we just weren&rsquo;t ready to give up.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-01

Hockey Ad Lib

<div class="byline">BY ED CONRAD</div><p>PHILADELPHIA, Pa. &mdash;</p><p>No matter how the Flyers fare in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season, they can look forward to many more years of competition in the post-season classic.</p><p>At least that would seem a logical assumption because the Flyers&rsquo; roster weighs heavily with rookies who apparently will be around for awhile.</p><p>Eight first-year players were on the club&rsquo;s 20-man roster which helped the Flyers finish in third place and gain an opening-round Western Division playoff berth against the first-place St. Louis Blues.</p><p>They include centers Andr&eacute; Lacroix, Jimmy Johnsons and Gerry Meehan, wingers Dick Sarrazin and Mike Byers, and defensemen Larry Hale, Dick Cherry and Ralnh MacSweyn.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-03624/3137502-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg" title="f0008-03" width="248" height="424"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Andre Lacroix</b></figcaption></div><p>Probably no other team in NHL history has had as many rookies on its roster for the Stanley Cup playoffs.</p><p>&ldquo;Take away Allan Stanley, Jean-Guy Gendron and Bill Sutherland and I&rsquo;d venture to say that we&rsquo;re the youngest team in the league,&rdquo; said coach Keith Allen.</p><p>Stanley, 43, is the senior citizen on the roster while Sutherland and Gendron are both 34. The rest of the team averages around 25. Fifteen are under 30 and seven are 25 or less.</p><p>&ldquo;This has been a real banner year for rookies coming into the league,&rdquo; continued Allen. &ldquo;Almost every club has one or two real fine rookies &hellip; guys who will be the stars of this league in a&rsquo;few years. 23,</p><p>Lacroix, was the offensive sparkplug for the Flyers during the regular season, winding up as the club&rsquo;s scoring leader with 56 points. It was one point better than Jean-Guy Gendron, his teammate on the &ldquo;French Line&rdquo;. Sarrazin finished with 44 points.</p><p>Lacroix, who had a terrible start, finished with 24 goals and assisted on 32 others. He centered for Gendron and Sarrazin, who together constituted one of hockey&rsquo;s most productive lines in the second half of the season.</p><p>&ldquo;Andy got off to a very slow start but he really found himself,&rdquo; said Allen. &ldquo;He really has matured offensively. He&rsquo;s got plenty of confidence in himself and he&rsquo;s making all the moves.&rdquo;</p><p>Johnson, 26, followed a different routine than Lacroix. Jim started off like a ball-of-fire but tailed off at about midseason. Near the end of the campaign, however, he really came on strong.</p><p>Sarrazin in the player who provided the Flyers&rsquo; brass with their most pleasant surprise.</p><p>&ldquo;Just think, he was released by Johnstown of the Eastern League only two years ago,&rdquo; noted Keith. &ldquo;When we called him up, it was only to fill in because of injuries. We honestly planned to send him back after the injured players got well, but we just couldn&rsquo;t do it after the way he was playing.&rdquo;</p><p>Cherry, 31, also has put a smile on Alien&rsquo;s face. Dick has been the Jack-of-all-trades for the Flyers, playing numerous positions but doing an excellent job in particular on the penalty-killing team. He and Garry Peters have really given the Flyers a major assist in that department.</p><p>One reason the Flyers can afford to have Cherry playing elsewhere than defense, which is his normal position, is due to the outstanding play of both Hale, 27, and MacSweyn, 26. They have given the plyers a gigantic boost as backliners.</p><p>The other two rookies are Meehan and Byers, both 22, who were acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 3-for-2 trade which also saw Bill Sutherland come to the Flyers and winger Brit Selby and center Forbes Kennedy go to the Leafs.</p><p>Along with these rookies, the Flyers have some excellent young players such as 23-year-old goalies Bernie Parent and Doug Favell and defenseman Joe Watson who is only 25.</p><p>The roster also includes defenseman Ed Van Impe, and John Miszuk on defense, and forwards Leon Rochefort, Gary Dornhoefer, Garry Peters and Don Blackburn.</p><p>All in all, the Flyers seem in excellent shape for the future. Perhaps, however, the rookies can reach Stanley Cup playoff maturity a lot sooner than expected. It that happens, the wait already is over.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-03

EIGHT FIRST-YEAR MEN IN LINEUP GIVES FLYERS BRIGHT HOCKEY FUTURE

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0009-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-01825/3137533-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>There are smiles all around as P. E. &lsquo;PADDY&rsquo; PRIESTMAN, Canadian manager of American Airlines, signs agreement to hold golf tournament in conjunction with NHL Players&rsquo; Association. Looking on approvingly are BOBBY HAGGERT, left, consultant, and ALAN EAGLESON, executive director of Players&rsquo; Association.</b></figcaption></div><p>TORONTO, Ont. &mdash;</p><p>Forty-eight top stars of the National Hockey League will join leading executives of the Canadian business community in a unique golf tournament to be held here July 1720, it has been announced by the National Hockey League Players&rsquo; Association and American Airlines.</p><p>Four players from each of the 12 NHL clubs will take part in the Canadian Astrojet Golf Classic, a 54-hole event at The Board of Trade Country Club at Woodbridge, Ontario, 24 miles north-west of Toronto.</p><p>&ldquo;Members of the players&rsquo; association have been discussing a tournament of this kind for several months now,&rdquo; R. Alan Eagleson, NHLPA executive director, said. &ldquo;We are elated that American Airlines has teamed up with us to help make the event possible. American has a deep interest in Canada, which it has been serving for more than a quarter of a century, and the airline is recognized as one of the world&rsquo;s most sports-oriented companies,&rdquo; he added.</p><p>P. E. (Paddy) Priestman. the airline&rsquo;s veteran Canadian manager, noted that his company is &ldquo;proud to associate itself with tne NHLPA as the sponsor of the tournament.</p><p>&ldquo;We are indeed a sports-minded airline,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;And we have a particular interest in hockey &mdash; we have sponsored hockey&rsquo;s game-of-the-week on television for the past two years. Canadian enthusiasm for hockey has crossed the border to the States, and there&rsquo;s great popular support for the new expansion teams among the growing number of fans there.&rdquo;</p><p>The lineup of Canadian business executives will pair off with the athletes in a warm-up round the day before the official start of the Astrojet classic. The &ldquo;All Stars&rdquo; from the world of industry will then play in their own amateur tournament while the athletes begin their competition, Priestman said.</p><p>Owners of the 12 NHL clubs and league president Clarence Campbell will be invited to participate. There will be a total of 192 golfers playing in the classic.</p><p>In the athletes&rsquo; event, teams will be made up of two hockey players, each from a different NHL club. Competition among the 24 teams will be partner best ball on a net basis, using combined handicaps. A minimum of $12,000 will be awarded in prize money, trophies and merchandise. Sports Representatives Ltd., of Toronto, headed by Bob Haggert, will help to plan the tournament.</p><p>Biggest winner of the event, it is hoped, will be charity.</p><p>Selected to benefit from the golf classic is The Big Brothers of Metropolitan Toronto.</p><p>For the past three years, American Airlines has sponsored a similar tournament in the United States for professional football and baseball players.</p><p>&ldquo;We have signed the first player for the Canadian Classic,&rdquo; Priestman said, &ldquo;and we are happy to announce that he&rsquo;s Norm Ullman of the Maple Leafs and president of the NHLPA.&rdquo;</p><p>Selection of other players will begin shortly.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0009-01

NHL Players, American Airlines Join To Stage Giant Golf Tourney

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0010-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-01838/3137578-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg"></div><p>MONTREAL. Que.&mdash;</p><p>Montreal Canadiens lived up to their role as the team to beat in the Stanley Cup playoffs as they eliminated the New York Rangers 40 in their best-of-seven quarter final series.</p><p>The sweep for Montreal marked the second time in three years they have turned back the Rangers in straight games.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-02722/3137571-1-eng-US/f0010-022.jpg" title="f0010-02" width="258" height="431"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Gump Worsley</b></figcaption></div><p>Placed by the fine goaltending of Gump Worsley and a balanced scoring attack, the Habs won 3-1 and 5-2 at the Forum, before travelling to New York to wrap-up the series with 4-1 and 4-3 triumphs.</p><p>Montreal&rsquo;s victories at home came as a surprise to no one, but the way they handled the Rangers at Madison Square Gardens raised a few eyebrows. Going into playoff action, New York had an 18-game unbeaten string going home.</p><p>Worsley, injured slightly early in the fourth contest, was a key performer for the Canucks in the first three games. Through he was not tested that often, the &ldquo;Gumper&rdquo; was there when the big saves were needed.</p><p>BOSTON, Mass.&mdash;</p><p>During the regular season the Boston Bruins rated as the highest scoring team in the National Hockey League, and now that the playoffs have arrived, they are not about to give up their number one position.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-03586/3137564-1-eng-US/f0010-032.jpg" title="f0010-03" width="254" height="426"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Phil Esposito</b></figcaption></div><p>Placed by the scoring exploits of Phil Esposito and John Bucyk, Boston earned a semi-final playoff spot as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in four consecutive games, outscoring the Leafs by a resounding.</p><p>As a result, the Bruins will now face the Canadiens in a best-of-seven series starting on Montreal ice.</p><p>After registering 10-0 and 7-0 triumphs at home, Boston edged Toronto 4-3 and 3-2 in Maple Leaf Gardens. The wins at Toronto marked the first time since Nov. 21, 1965 that the Bruins have won in the Canadian city.</p><p>Esposito, regular season scoring champ led the way for Boston with six goals and four assists. The veteran Bucyk was right behind the four goals and five assists.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-01

Montreal, Boston Set For ‘Showdown’ Final After Playoff Sweeps

<p>St. Louis, Mo.&mdash;</p><p>The St. Louis Blues have demonstarted that they are another hockey team that goes all out when the money is on the line.</p><p>St. Louis experienced some difficulty in the final weeks of the regular season, but when the playoffs rolled around against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Blues showed why they won the Western division title so easily.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-04451/3137616-1-eng-US/f0010-042.jpg" title="f0010-04" width="255" height="406"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Jacques Plante</b></figcaption></div><p>Spurred on bu the fine netminding of veteran Jacques Plante, the Blues eliminated the Flyers in four straight games to advance to the Western semi-finals against either the Oakland Seals or Los Angeles Kings.</p><p>In the four games, the Blues scored 17 goals, as each one of their forwards tallied at least once while Plante gave up only three goals.</p><p>The shutouts for Plante were his 11th and 12th in playoff competition and moved him into a tie with Terry Sawchuyk, now of Detroit Red Wings, only one behind the record held by Tubk Broda.</p><p>Philadelphia, who closed out the regular season with a great surge, first to make the playoffs, then jump into third place ahead Los Angeles, just couldn&rsquo;t untrack against the Blues.</p><p>OAKLAND, Calif. &mdash;</p><p>Unlike Montreal, Boston and St. Louis, neither Los Angeles nor Oakland were in any rush to get their best-of-seven-quarter-final series over.</p><p>While the Habs, Bruins and Blues were winning their series in four straight, Oakland and Los Angeles split their first four games.</p><p>The Kings won the first game of the series 5-4 in Oakland, but the Seals came back to take the second encounter 4-2, also in Oakland.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-05342/3137609-1-eng-US/f0010-052.jpg" title="f0010-05" width="256" height="433"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Ted Hampson</b></figcaption></div><p>Play then shifted to Los Angeles where Oakland took a 2-1 series lead as they won 52. However LA evened the score the following night by scoring a 4-2 triumph.</p><p>Scoring wise Earl Ingarfield and Ted Hampson were paving the way for Oakland with three goals and four assists each.</p><p>Gary Croteau, who joined the Kings late in the season, was the top goal getter for Los Angeles with three goals.</p><p>Gerry Desjardins, the Kings&rsquo; top candidate for rookie-of-the-year honors, and Wayne Rutledge split the netminding shores for Los Aangeles in the first four games.</p><p>Gary Smith has played in all four games for Oakland, who despite their second place finish and a playoff berth have averaged just about 6,000 fans for their two home playoff dates.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-04

St. Louis Eliminates Philly; Oakland One Win From Final

<h2><b>SERIES &ldquo;A&rdquo;</b></h2><h3><b>WED. APRIL 2</b></h3><p><b>NEW YORK 1 AT MONTREAL 3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-01830/3137794-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg" title="f0011-01" width="598" height="483"></div><p><b>(Montreal loads best-of-seven series 1-0)</b></p><h3><b>THURS. APR. 3</b></h3><p><b>NEW YORK 2 ot MONTREAL 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-02756/3137787-1-eng-US/f0011-022.jpg" title="f0011-02" width="598" height="586"></div><p><b>(Montreal loads best-of-seven series 2-0)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-03628/3137780-1-eng-US/f0011-032.jpg" title="f0011-03" width="593" height="627"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BOBBY ROUSSEAU &hellip; Goals Sink Rangers</b></figcaption></div><h3><b>SAT. APR. 5</b></h3><p><b>MONWEAL 4 at NEW YORK 1</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-04519/3137773-1-eng-US/f0011-042.jpg" title="f0011-04" width="593" height="627"></div><p><b>(Montreal leads best-of-seven 3-0)</b></p><h3><b>SUN. APR. 6</b></h3><p><b>MONTREAL 4 at NEW YORK 3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-05426/3137766-1-eng-US/f0011-052.jpg" title="f0011-05" width="588" height="570"></div><p><b>(Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4-0)</b></p><h2><b>SERIES &ldquo;B&rdquo;</b></h2><h3><b>WED. APRIL 2</b></h3><p><b>TORONTO 0 AT BOSTON 10</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-06371/3137759-1-eng-US/f0011-062.jpg" title="f0011-06" width="581" height="189"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-07335/3137752-1-eng-US/f0011-072.jpg" title="f0011-07" width="608" height="781"></div><p><b>(Boston leads best-of-seven series 1-0)</b></p><h3><b>THURS. APR. 3</b></h3><p><b>BOSTON 7 at TORONTO 0</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-08315/3137745-1-eng-US/f0011-082.jpg" title="f0011-08" width="598" height="661"></div><p><b>(Boston leads best-of-seven series 2-0)</b></p><h3><b>SAT. APR. 5</b></h3><p><b>BOSTON 4 at TORONTO 3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-09302/3137738-1-eng-US/f0011-092.jpg" title="f0011-09" width="602" height="713"></div><p><b>(Boston leads best-of-seven series 3-0)</b></p><h3><b>SUN. APR. 6</b></h3><p><b>BOSTON 3 at TORONTO 2</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-10274/3137731-1-eng-US/f0011-102.jpg" title="f0011-10" width="583" height="81"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-11246/3137724-1-eng-US/f0011-112.jpg" title="f0011-11" width="598" height="557"></div><p><b>(Boston wins best-of-seven series 4-0)</b></p><h2><b>SERIES &ldquo;C&rdquo;</b></h2><h3><b>WED. APRIL 2</b></h3><p><b>PHILADELPHIA 2 AT ST. LOUIS 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-12221/3137717-1-eng-US/f0011-122.jpg" title="f0011-12" width="605" height="717"></div><p><b>(St. louis loads best-of-seven series 1-0)</b></p><h3><b>THURS. APR. 3</b></h3><p><b>PHILADELPHIA 0 at ST. LOUIS 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-13175/3137710-1-eng-US/f0011-132.jpg" title="f0011-13" width="593" height="706"></div><p><b>(St. Louis leads best-of-seven series 2-0)</b></p><h3><b>SAT. APR. 5</b></h3><p><b>ST. LOUIS 3 at PHILADELPHIA 0</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-14135/3137703-1-eng-US/f0011-142.jpg" title="f0011-14" width="586" height="88"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-15107/3137696-1-eng-US/f0011-152.jpg" title="f0011-15" width="595" height="430"></div><p><b>(St. Louis loads best-of-seven series 3-0)</b></p><h3><b>SUN. APR. 6</b></h3><p><b>ST LOUIS 4 at PHILADELPHIA 1</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-1680/3137689-1-eng-US/f0011-162.jpg" title="f0011-16" width="596" height="601"></div><p><b>(St. Louie wine best-of-seven eorioe4-0)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-1766/3137682-1-eng-US/f0011-172.jpg" title="f0011-17" width="556" height="571"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>TED IRVINE &hellip; Game Winner</b></figcaption></div><h3><b>WED. APRIL 2</b></h3><p><b>LOS ANGELES 5 AT OAKLAND 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-1854/3137675-1-eng-US/f0011-182.jpg" title="f0011-18" width="588" height="637"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-1947/3137668-1-eng-US/f0011-192.jpg" title="f0011-19" width="598" height="165"></div><p><b>(Loe Angeles loads best-of-seven eoriee 1-0)</b></p><h2><b>SERIES &ldquo;D&rdquo;</b></h2><h3><b>THURS. APR. 3</b></h3><p><b>LOS ANGELES 2 at OAKLAND 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-2032/3137661-1-eng-US/f0011-202.jpg" title="f0011-20" width="596" height="533"></div><p><b>(Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)</b></p><h3><b>SAT. APR. 5</b></h3><p><b>OAKLAND 5 at LOS ANGELES 2</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-2126/3137654-1-eng-US/f0011-212.jpg" title="f0011-21" width="598" height="744"></div><p><b>(Oakland loads best-of-seven series 2-1)</b></p><h3><b>SUN. APR. 6</b></h3><p><b>OAKLAND 2 at LOS ANGELES 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-2225/3137647-1-eng-US/f0011-222.jpg" title="f0011-22" width="594" height="598"></div><p><b>(Best-of-seven series tied 2-2L</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0011-01

National League Playoff Summaries

<p><b><i>&lsquo;You like 7up 7up likes You&rsquo;</i></b></p><p>PITTSBURGH, Pa.&mdash;</p><p>The Pittsburgh Penguins are searching for a new hockey coach today after firing George &lsquo;Red&rsquo; Sullivan.</p><p>Following a meeting with chairman Donald H. Parsons, president Jack E. McGregor and the board of directors, general manager Jack Riley broke the news. &ldquo;It was decided by the Board of Directors that a change should be made,&rdquo; said Riley.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-01811/3137825-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="251" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Red Sullivan</b></figcaption></div><p>Sullivan said he was not surprised by the announcement.</p><p>&ldquo;It didn&rsquo;t come as a shock,&rdquo; said the 39-year-old former New York and Chicago player. &ldquo;Everywhere I went for the last month, it was rumoured in the newspapers.&rdquo;</p><p>The Penguins recorded a 27-3413 mark in their first season and finished in fifth place in the West Division. They were eliminated from playoff contention on the next to last day of the regular season in the closest race in NHL history, finishing just two points behind the fourth place team and just six in back of the first place club.</p><p>A poor start this season in which the Penguins were winless in their first five starts and won just two of their first 16 games resulted in the team finishing in a tie for fifth place with Minnesota. A comeback in late February and early March raised playoff hopes, but a subsequent six game losing streak doomed these chances. The final record this season was 20-45 11.</p><p>Attendance dipped this season and a club spokesman said the Penguins lost $400,000. Last year they lost $250,000.</p><p>&ldquo;The board of directors just felt a change was necessary,&rdquo; said Riley. &ldquo;It was a matter of circumstance.</p><p>&ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t beat the new clubs, on our own ice. That was our biggest downfall.</p><p>&ldquo;But I don&rsquo;t blame it all bn coaching. Winning takes care of a lot of things.&rdquo;</p><p>Sullivan has been offered a position in the Pittsburgh organization as director of scouting for professional leagues and has requested time to think about the offer. In this capacity, he would be assigned to the professional hockey leagues and would devote his time exclusively to this area.</p><p>The 39-year-old Sullivan has coached the Penguins in their first two seasons in the National Hockey League. He signed a three year contract in May of 1966 and spent the 1966-67 season scouting in preparation for the expansion draft which was held in June of 1967.</p><p>Sullivan, who was fired from New York Rangers three years ago when he couldn&rsquo;t produce a winner there, said he won&rsquo;t give up hockey.</p><p>&ldquo;I have 20 years in professional hockey and I&rsquo;m not about to throw it out the window. I&rsquo;m going to stay in hockey. The scouting job is a very important job.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;Although it is not urgent that we hire a new coach immediately, I will begin looking as soon as possible,&rdquo; Riley said. &ldquo;I have some names in mind but have not talked to anyone about the job.&rdquo; The Penguins are not expected to name a new coach until the summer hockey meetings in Montreal.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-01

SULLIVAN NOT SURPRISED AFTER BEING FIRED

<p class="dropcap"><b><span>D</span>uring the regular National Hockey League schedule just ended, veteran John Bucyk was more or less lost in the upsurge of youth that propelled the Boston Bruins to their brilliant league finish.</b></p><p><b>The Espositos, Hodges, Orrs and the rest overshadowed the 34-year-old Boston winger but every dog has his day sort of speak and Bucyk appeared to have his once the playoffs got underway.</b></p><p><b>In three playoff games, the &lsquo;Big Chief of the Bruins produced nine scoring points to help spark the Beantowners&rsquo; rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also tallied what amounted to the winning goal in the B&rsquo;s 7-0 rout of the Leafs.</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-02702/3137856-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg" title="f0012-02" width="264" height="394"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>John Bucyk</b></figcaption></div><p><b>When you stop to consider that Bucyk had only three playoff goals to his credit in 37 previous NHL games, his four-goal performance last week was truly remarkable.</b></p><p><b>El Producto and THE HOCKEY NEWS are pleased to salute the NHL&rsquo;s player-of-the-week in the East:</b></p><p><b><i>John Bucyk&hellip;Boston</i></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-02

NHL Player Of The Week — IN THE EAST

<p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>he Oakland Seals are feeling pretty smug these days over the trade that broueht seasoned center Earl Ingarfield to their club. The Seals maintained they received the best of the swap and Ingarfield&rsquo;s showing of late appears to substantiate their claim.</b></p><p><b>Ingarfield came up with three goals and four assists last week as the Seals divided four semi-final playoff games with Los Angeles Kings and his sparkling ice play helped keep the team in the fight to make the Western Division finals against the St. Louis Blues.</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03553/3137887-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="279" height="432"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Earl Ingarfield</b></figcaption></div><p><b>Ingarfield, besieged by injuries in his 11th big league season, has come back to the form that made him a valued member of the New York Rangers for nearly a decade. His seven-point blast matched teammate Ted Hampson&rsquo;s effort but the Seals wouldn&rsquo;t be tied with the Kings at 2-2 in their series if it hadn&rsquo;t been for Ingarfield&rsquo;s two-goal blast in the Seals&rsquo; 4-2 decision over the Kings.</b></p><p><b>El Producto and THE HOCKEY NEWS are pleased to salute the NHL&rsquo;s player-of-the-week in the West:</b></p><p><b><i>Earl Ingarfield&hellip;Oakland</i></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-03

NHL Player Of The Week — IN THE WEST

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-02722/3137953-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg" title="f0013-02" width="533" height="98"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-01794/3137960-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg" title="f0013-01" width="147" height="316"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>EASTERN DIVISION</b></h2><h3><b>SERIES &lsquo;A&rsquo;</b></h3><p><b>(Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4-0)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Wed. Apr. 2</b></p><p>New York 1 at Montreal 3</p><p><b>Thurs. Apr. 3</b></p><p>New York 2 at Montreal 5</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 5</b></p><p>Montreal 4 at New York 1</p><p><b>Sun. Apr. 6</b></p><p>Montreal 4 at New York 3</p><h3><b>SERIES &lsquo;B&rsquo;</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-03661/3137946-1-eng-US/f0013-032.jpg" title="f0013-03" width="534" height="100"></div><p><b>(Boston wins best-of-seven series 4-0)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Wed. Apr. 2</b></p><p>Toronto 0 at Boston 10</p><p><b>Thurs. Apr. 3</b></p><p>Toronto 0 at Boston 7</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 5</b></p><p>Boston 4 at Toronto 3</p><p><b>Sun. Apr. 6</b></p><p>Boston 3 at Toronto 2</p><h2><b>WESTERN DIVISION</b></h2><h3><b>SERIES &lsquo;C&rsquo;</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-04597/3137939-1-eng-US/f0013-042.jpg" title="f0013-04" width="529" height="94"></div><p><b>(St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 4-0)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Wed. Apr. 2</b></p><p>Philadelphia 2 at St. Louis 5</p><p><b>Thurs. Apr. 3</b></p><p>Philadelphia 0 at St. Louis 5</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 5</b></p><p>St. Louis 3 at Philadelphia 0</p><p><b>Sun. Apr. 6</b></p><p>St. Louis 4 at Philadelphia 1</p><h3><b>SERIES &lsquo;D&rsquo;</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-05488/3137932-1-eng-US/f0013-052.jpg" title="f0013-05" width="527" height="107"></div><p><b>(Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Wed. Apr. 2</b></p><p>Los Angeles 5 at Oakland 4</p><p><b>Thurs. Apr. 3</b></p><p>Los Angeles 2 at Oakland 4</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 5</b></p><p>Oakland 5 at Los Angeles 2</p><p><b>Sun. Apr. 6</b></p><p>Oakland 2 at Los Angeles 4</p><p><b>GAMES TO COME</b></p><p><b>Wed. Apr. 9</b></p><p>Los Angeles at Oakland</p><p><b>Thurs. Apr. 10</b></p><p>Oakland at Los Angeles</p><p><b>Sat. or Sun. Apr. 12-13</b></p><p>Los Angeles at Oakland (if necessary)</p><h2><b><i>Playoff Scoring</i></b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-06416/3137925-1-eng-US/f0013-062.jpg" title="f0013-06" width="548" height="1751"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-07386/3137918-1-eng-US/f0013-072.jpg" title="f0013-07" width="533" height="1718"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0013-02

Stanley Cup Picture ’69

<p>MONTREAL, Que.&mdash;</p><p>The Boston Bruins, led by center Phil. Esposito, were the pace-setters in the rewriting of much of the National Hockey League&rsquo;s official records during the 1968-69 regularseason.</p><p>A tabulation of the records broken or tied during the season, completed March 30, which itself had a record 456 games, shows that seven league team records were broken, six tied, 20 individual marks set and another six tied, including two twice.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-08363/3137991-1-eng-US/f0013-082.jpg" title="f0013-08" width="250" height="437"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Brit Selby</b></figcaption></div><p>Each team in the East Division had at least a part in the record spree. Toronto Maple Leafs made it because center Forbes Kennedy &mdash; traded to Leafs by Philadelphia Flyers &mdash; established a record for centers of 219 penalty minutes, the second-highest ever and the most minutes by a forward.</p><p>Esposito led the way with a list of seven records plus one he shared with his linemates, Ken Hodge and Ron Murphy, who scored a record 263 points as a line. And, Esposito still has a chance to extend two of his marks in the playoffs (assists and points for regular-season and playoffs combined) and break another (goals, including playoffs which now is 59 by Jean Beliveau of Canadiens in 1955-56). Esposito has 49 goals.</p><p>A breakdown by teams shows that Boston set four team records and tied three and Bruin players established 10 individual marks. The East Division champion Montreal Canadiens broke two team records and tied another and one individual mark. Chicago had four individual records and two individual marks tied as well as combining with Detroit to tie the record for most points by both teams in a period. Red Wing players also broke three individual records.</p><p>New York Rangers&rsquo; Walt Tkaczuk and Brad Park equalled the record for most assists in a game by a rookie. St. Louis Blues, the West Division champions, tied a team record when goaltenders Glenn Hall, who had eight, and Jacques Plante, with five, equalled the mark for shutouts by a team during a schedule with at least 70 games. Minnesota North Stars&rsquo; Danny Grant and Oakland Seals&rsquo; Norm Ferguson each tied the record for most goals by a rookie in a season and at the same time eliminated from the record book the same mark for the modern era, since their 34 goals tied Nels Stewart&rsquo;s all-time mark.</p><p>And, if there aren&rsquo;t enough records listed in the following list, how about this one: Brit Selby, who started with Philadelphia and went to Toronto during the season, played more games (77) than any other player has in a regular NHL season.</p><h2><b>TEAM RECORDS BROKEN</b></h2><p>MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON:</p><p>103&mdash;Montreal Canadiens. Won 46, lost 19, tied 11. (Former record 101 by Detroit Red Wings, 1950-51).</p><p>MOST WINS, ONE SEASON:</p><p>46&mdash;Montreal Canadiens. (Former record 45 by Montreal, 1955-56).</p><p>MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON:</p><p>303&mdash;Boston Bruins. (Former record 264 by Chicago Black Hawks, 1966-67).</p><p>MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON:</p><p>497&mdash;Boston Bruins. (Former record 439 by Montreal Canadiens, 1958-59).</p><p>MOST SCORING POINTS, ONE SEASON:</p><p>800&mdash;Boston Bruins. (Former record 701 by Chicago Black Hawks. 1966-67).</p><p>MOST PENALTY MINUTES, ONE SEASON:</p><p>1,297&mdash;Boston Bruins. (Former record 1,121 by Detroit Red Wings, 1964-65).</p><h2><b>INDIVIDUAL RECORDS BROKEN</b></h2><p>MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON:</p><p>58&mdash;Bobby Hull, Chicago Black Hawks. (Former record 54 by Bobbv Hull, 1965-66).</p><p>MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON:</p><p>77&mdash;Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins. (Former record 62 by Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks, 1966-67).</p><p>MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON INCLUDING PLAYOFFS:</p><p>77&mdash;Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins. (Former record 67 by Dickie Moore, Montreal Canadiens, in 1958-59-55 regularseason and 12 in playoffs &mdash; and Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks, in 1961-62 &mdash; 52 regularseason and 15 in playoffs).</p><p>MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON:</p><p>126&mdash;Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins. (Former record 97 by Bobby Hull, Chicago Black Hawks in 1965-66 &mdash; 54 goals, 43 assists &mdash; and Stan Mikita, Chicago in 1966-67 &mdash; 35 goals, 62 assists)</p><p>MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON INCLUDING PLAYOFFS:</p><p>126&mdash;Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins. (Former record 113 by Dickie Moore, Montreal Canadiens, 1958-59 &mdash; 96 points in regular season; 17 in playoffs). MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON, BY A DEFENSEMAN:</p><p>21&mdash;Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins. (Former record 20 by Flash Hollett, Detroit Red Wings, 1944 45).</p><p>MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON BY A CENTER:</p><p>49&mdash;Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins. (Former record 47 by Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens, 1955-56)</p><p>MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON BY A LEFT WINGER:</p><p>58&mdash;Bobby Hull, Chicago Black Hawks. (Former record 54 by Bobby Hull, 1965-66).</p><p>MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON BY A DEFENSEMAN:</p><p>50&mdash;Pat Stapleton, Chicago Black Hawks. (Former record 46 by Bill Gadsby, New York Rangers, 1958-59, and Pierre Pilote, Chicago Black Hawks, 1963-64).</p><p>MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON BY A CENTER:</p><p>77&mdash;Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, (Former record 62 by Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks, 1966-67).</p><p>MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON BY A RIGHT WINGER:</p><p>59&mdash;Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings. (Former record 58 by Andy Bathgate, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, 1963-64).</p><p>MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON BY A DEFENSEMAN:</p><p>64&mdash;Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins. (Former record 59 by Pierre Pilote, Chicago Black Hawks, 1964-65).</p><p>MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON BY A CENTER:</p><p>126&mdash;Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins. (Former record 97 by Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks, 1966-67).</p><p>MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON BY A RIGHT WINGER:</p><p>103&mdash;Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings. (Former record 95 by Gordie Howe, 1952-53, and Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal Canadiens, 1960-61).</p><p>MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON BY A LEFT WINGER:</p><p>107&mdash;Bobby Hull, Chicago Black Hawks. (Former record 97 by Bobby Hull, 1965-66).</p><p>MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON BY A ROOKIE:</p><p>65&mdash;Danny Grant, Minnesota North Stars. (Former record 62 by Gus Bodnar, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1943-44).</p><p>MOST GOALS, ONE LINE, ONE SEASON:</p><p>114&mdash;Center Alex Delvecchio (24), left winger Frank Mahovlich (48) and right winger Gordie Howe (42), Detroit Red Wings, as a line. (Former record 105 bv Maurice Richard (50), Elmer Lach (26), Toe Blake (29), Montreal Canadiens, 1944-45).</p><p>MOST POINTS, ONE LINE, ONE SEASON:</p><p>263&mdash;Center Phil Esposito (48 goals, 75 assists, 123 points), left winger Ron Murphy (16 goals, 36 assists, 52 points) and right winger Ken Hodge (45 goals, 43 assists, 88 points), Boston Bruins, as a line. (Former record 226 by center Norm Ullman (52 points), left winger Ted Lindsay (85 points) and right winger Gordie Howe (89 points), Detroit Red Wings, 1956-57).</p><p>MOST PENALTY MINUTES, ONE SEASON, CENTER:</p><p>219 &mdash; Forbes Kennedy, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs. (Former record 154 by Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks, 1964-65).<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-08

Bruins, Esposito Lead Onslaught On National League Record Book

<div class="byline">BY GEOFFREY FISHER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0014-04" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-04387/3138067-1-eng-US/f0014-042.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GLENN HALL&hellip; Gives Credit To Defense</b></figcaption></div><p>ST. LOUIS, Mo. &mdash;</p><p>The number one reason the Blues dominated the National Hockey League expansion division this year was a kind of goaltending that had many of the finest sharpshooters convinced their vision was becoming faulty.</p><p>St. Louis has not had a more spectacular set of shutout artists since old Dizzy and Daffy Dean were throwing them past the batters way back when.</p><p>As long as the object of the game is to put the rubber biscuit into the cage, goaltenders will make the difference in hockey teams and Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante will make the difference in goaltenders.</p><p>They halted the best and destroyed the rest. If the two of them are back again next season, and they no doubt will be, the Blues will be tough again. Together this season they formed a partnership that allowed only 159 goals over a 76game schedule. It was a great act of guarding the vault for the Blues and it won the two masked men the Vezina Trophy that goes to the team with the least goals scored against it.</p><p>How good was the 159 goal record? A lot of goals better than the best team Boston has boasted in years. It was far better than the famed clutch and hold defense of the Toronto Maple Leafs and 45 goals better than the flying Montreal Canadiens, kings of the East and a team St. Louis has failed to beat in two full regular seasons.</p><p>The point is that nobody fattens up on the Blues when it comes to scoring and that includes Chicago superman Bobby Hull and all-time record buster Phil Esposito of Boston. If they had to work against St. Louis and cage cops Hall and Plante every night those two riflemen would be ready for a psychiatrist&rsquo;s couch.</p><p>This regular season Hall and Plante put together a total of 13 whitewashes of the opposition with the breakdown being eight for Hall of Famer Hall and five for Jake The Snake. The combined total matched the all-time NHL mark for shutouts set in 1953-54 by Toronto&rsquo;s Harry Lumley. A year ago Hall, then sharing some of the biscuit battling with aged rookie Seth Martin, (since retired), hung up five shutouts so that his personal two season collection with St. Louis also amounts to 13.</p><p>Both Hall and Plante will tell you that it takes a hard-checking team up front to bring off that kind of success for a goaltender. Plante had his share of defense in Montreal when he waltzed off with the Vezina Trophy six times but Hall could grab it only twice while backstopping Black Hawk teams that found the defensive phase of the game distasteful.</p><p>In St. Louis both men have found a haven for doing the kind of job they are paid very handsomely for doing. They are blessed with forwards who backcheck diligently and forecheck with extreme effectiveness. They are not necessarily the glamor boys, sometimes their names are scarcely noted in the routine reporting of a match. But ask Hall and Plante about some fellows wearing the St. Louis uniforms. Ask them about Terry Crisp or Billy McCreary or Craig Cameron, whose combined total of goals was less than half of Bobby Hull&rsquo;s personal accumulation. Or ask them about Jim Roberts, Gary Sabourin and Frank St. Marseille. They&rsquo;re all tough checkers.</p><p>Those fiercely checking forwards herd opposing players into one of the league&rsquo;s most discouraging defenses, led by Captain Al Arbour, the human octopus and one of the best shot blockers in the business, and sandbagged by the muscles of Bob and Barclay Plager and hulking Noel Picard. They&rsquo;ll all be back. And if the old bones of the Hall&rsquo;s, the Plante&rsquo;s and the Arbour&rsquo;s are willing, they&rsquo;ll be just as tough.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-04

Blues’Goaling Tandem Tough On NHL’s Big Sharpshooters

<div class="byline">BY BILL LIBBY</div><p>LOS ANGELES, Calif.&mdash;</p><p>Last season, the first edition of the Los Angeles Kings finished in second place, two games below .500 and one point short of the first Western Division pennant. This past regular season, the second crew of Kings finished in fourth place, 18 games below, .500 and 30 points short of the flag. The decline, while expected and predicted, was drastic.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-01769/3138122-1-eng-US/f0015-012.jpg" title="f0015-01" width="253" height="419"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BUI Flett</b></figcaption></div><p>It was translated in attendance, too. Last season, the Kings drew 297,144 fans, averaging 8,030 per game. This season, the Kings drew 336,514 fans, averaging 8,855 per game. However, last season, after moving into their new and permanent home Forum, the Kings drew an average of 9,718 per game. Thus, while they were up almost 40,000 fans and more than 800 per game, they were down more than 1,000 per game in the Forum.</p><p>The Kings finished with 24 victories, 42 defeats and 10 ties. They were 19-14-5 at home, only 528-5 on the road. They were 14-18-8 against their fellow expansionists, 10-24-2 with the established clubs of the Eastern Division. Incidentally, they averaged around 8,100 for expansion foes, 9,600 for established foes in attendance.</p><p>The Kings came from behind to win just six games this season, but blew leads in 15 losses.</p><p>The L.A. club, which led all expansion teams in scoring last season, was next to last in scoring this season, and also next to worst in giving up goals. The Kings scored 185 goals, but surrendered 260.</p><p>Presumably, changes they did not make after last season may be made now after this season. The one major change they did make, the addition of rookie goal-tender Gerry Desjardins, paid off as he was voted MVP on the team.</p><p>Because he received little defensive support, Desjardins&rsquo; fine play was not reflected in his statistics, a 19-31-9 record with a 3.30 goals-against average. Wayne Rutledge, injured most of the season, wound up 5-11-1 with around a 3.50 mark.</p><p>Eddie Joyal led the team with 33 goals, followed by Bill Flett with 24, Howie Hughes with 16, Ted Irvine with 15, Lowell MacDonald with 14, Bob Wall with 13 and Real Lemieux with 11.</p><p>Flett had six game-winning goals and Joyal five. In important goals, including also tying goals in games the Kings won or tied, or first goals in games, Joyal had 14, Flett 12, Irvine eight and Wall seven. Joyal also assisted on five important goals.</p><p>Joyal led in power-play goals with nine, while Hughes had five and Flett four. The Kings scored on only 31 of 240 power-play opportunities, which followed last season&rsquo;s performance. In fact, they gave up seven short-handed goals in power-play situations. They scored three, while permitting 53 power-play goals in 251 manpower-advantage situations enjoyed by the opposition.</p><p>Lemieux led the team with 29 assists, followed by defenseman Bill White with 28, 14 of them on power-play goals. White also led defensemen with five goals and 33 total points. Joyal had only 19 assists, by wound up leading the team in total points with 52, followed by Flett with 49 and Lemieux with 40.</p><p>Dale Rolfe led in penalty minutes with 85, followed by Larry Cahan with 76 and Brent Hughes with 73. Lemieux led forwards with 68.</p><p>No team ever before in NHL history made the Stanley Cup playoffs with as many as 18 more losses than victories, but the 1945 Boston team and 1938 Chicago team had either a lesser percentage of victories, with ties thrown out, or a lesser percentage of possible points gained. And the 1938 Chicago team won the Stanley Cup.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0015-01

Less Wins, Goals And Fans Added To Kings’ Second Season Troubles

f0015-02

Kings’ Storing

<p>BOSTON, Mass. &mdash;</p><p>A special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Boston Professional Hockey Association accepted the resignation of Weston W. Adams as president of the Bruins with deep regret.</p><p>The Board also unanimously elected Weston W. Adams Jr. president to succeed his father.</p><p>The elder Adams who has been associated with the Bruins and the National Hockey League for 45 years will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Bruins, devoting his time to the player development program.</p><p>Commenting on his retirement as president, Mr. Adams stated, &ldquo;I would like to feel that I have fulfilled my personal committment to the Bruins and to Bruins fans &mdash; and, of at least equal importance, that the organization has the right pair of young legs ready and able to carry on.&rdquo;</p><p>Weston Jr. has been associated with the Bruins for several years and this past season served as executive vice president of the organization.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Weston Adams Steps Down As President Of Bruins

<div class="byline">BY TOM MONAHAN</div><p>BOSTON, Mass.&mdash;</p><p>The scene was the Garden Club in Boston and the Bruins were holding a pre-Stanley Cup conference for Boston newspapermen. Harry Sinden was the center of attraction. But in another corner of the room was Phil Esposito.</p><p>As an aside, someone asked Esposito what he planned for an encore.</p><p>&ldquo;Winning the Stanley Cup,&rdquo; was his immediate answer.</p><p>But this was not what the interrogator was interested in. He wanted to know specifically what Esposito was thinking of for next year after establishing a set of almost unbelievable records in the 76-game regular season.</p><p>Espo wound up with 49 goals, two more than Jean Beliveau&rsquo;s record for a center in a 70-game season. He also bagged 77 assists to demolish Stan Mikita&rsquo;s previous mark of 62 in 1966-67 and his total of 126 points gained him the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion and the accompanying $1,000 prize.</p><p>A year ago when Esposito scored 35 goals and 49 assists to finish second to Mikita in the scoring race, he negotiated a three-year contract with the Bruins.</p><p>So this now was what the interrogator was further interested in.</p><p>&ldquo;Do you think signing that three-year contract has now hurt you?&rdquo; he asked.</p><p>Espo just smiled and answered both questions at the same time.</p><p>&ldquo;1 haven&rsquo;t even thought of next year.&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t talked with Mr. Adams or Weston Jr. or Milt Schmidt or anyone about next year.</p><p>&ldquo;I signed a three-year contract and I&rsquo;m not in the least worried about next year. I was worried only about this year and now that we have made the playoffs that&rsquo;s all I&rsquo;m thinking about.</p><p>&ldquo;Next year and the year after and the year after that will take care of itself.&rdquo;</p><p>But then Espo became a bit whimsical.</p><p>&ldquo;You know I am a very superstitious hockey player,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;After last season I had several reasons to believe this would be a good year for me and for the Bruins.</p><p>&ldquo;First I knew we had three things going for us &mdash; experience, maturity and confidence.</p><p>&ldquo;Then I knew what the Ouija Board had told me during the summer.</p><p>&ldquo;Actually,&rdquo; went on Esposito, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t really believe in that stuff. But we have a bunch of friends and relatives around Sault Ste. Marie. We play bocci, cards and have get togethers almost every weekend.</p><p>&ldquo;In between times we have fun with this Ouija board. It told me I&rsquo;d score 45 goals this season, that I&rsquo;d win the scoring championship that my brother Tony would play in the NHL and that the Bruins would finish second in the East Division.</p><p>&ldquo;I fooled old Ouija by scoring 49 goals but everything else was right.</p><p>&ldquo;I think maybe a couple of other things helped me this year,&rdquo; he said with a facetious smile.</p><p>&ldquo;For one thing I am very superstitious about crossed sticks in the locker-room before the game. Johnny McKenzie and Gerry Cheevers cross them all the time just to get me going.</p><p>&ldquo;I think that helps psyche me a bit before a game. Then I have this thing about wearing a dickie in every game. I got a cold and put in on for protection when we were practicing. We started to win and I have kept on wearing it.</p><p>&ldquo;Then I have a brown suit that I wore right through our 18-game streak without a defeat.</p><p>&ldquo;I think that&rsquo;s something a lot of athletes will do. And it is superstitious on my part.</p><p>&ldquo;There is one other thing I do to psyche myself for every game. I say a prayer during the national anthems.</p><p>&ldquo;I say that for my mother as well as myself and I just hope I play well enough to help the team.</p><p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all I want to keep doing for an encore.&rdquo;</p><p><b>ICE CHIPS &mdash;</b> Although Coach Harry Sinden nominated Gerry Cheevers as the Bruins starting goalie in the opening game of the playoffs with Toronto, he insisted there was nothing very significant in his selection&hellip; &ldquo;We have two great goalies with Cheevers and Eddie Johnston,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They both will be playing during the series. We will need two goalies and we will use both of them.&rdquo;&hellip; Sinden refused to be drawn into a prediction on the length of the series with the Maple Leafs&hellip; &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll leave the predictions to Punch Imlach,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Punch has had more experience at predicting things than I have.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Bruin Fans Wonder What Espo Can Do For Encore

<div class="byline">BY JOHN TRAVERS</div><p><b>Save $$$$$$ Subscribe To The HOCKEY NEWS Receive 35 Issues At Home & Save $3.75</b></p><p><b>For The Best In Hockey Reading It&rsquo;s HOCKEY PICTORIAL Hockey&rsquo;s Most Exciting Publication</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-01601/3138208-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="516" height="562"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GIL GILBERT &hellip; Top Man In Stretch</b></figcaption></div><p>HERSHEY, Pa. &mdash;</p><p>There&rsquo;s no argument &mdash; coach, Frank Mathers&rsquo; 1968-69 Hershey Bears outfit is the most powerful scoring machine ever assembled in club history in the American League.</p><p>On the night of Mar. 28 at Springfield, the Bears, paced by Michel Harvey&rsquo;s second &ldquo;Hat Trick,&rdquo; scored a 6-4 victory, jacking the team&rsquo;s season goal mark to 279. The former record of 276 was held by two teams, 1946-47 and 1967-68.</p><p>Added to this on Mar. 26 when defenseman Barry Ashbee tallied a goal in the final eight seconds to edge Springfield, 2-1, at Hershey, it marked the club&rsquo;s 25th home win, topping the old standard of 24 held by the teams of 1957-58 and 1966-67.</p><p>Enroute to their third straight Eastern Division championship, Hershey boasted eight 20 goal scorers in its ranks, a feat never accomplished before by any Bears unit. Three of the leading goal snipers hit the 30-goal standard, Harvey, 38; Don Marcotte, 33, and Gil Gilbert, 30.</p><p>Defenseman Ralph Keller, with five games remaining as of Mar. 29, was within nine points of matching the club standard for most points scored by a blueliner in a season. After 69 games, Keller has 8 goals and 43 assists for 51 points. The record is 60, set in 1949-50 by Roly McClellan on 25 goals and 35 assists.</p><p>And Gilbert and Harvey continued their neck-and-neck battle down the stretch for the league&rsquo;s individual scoring title. Gilbert held a slim four point lead (30-61-91) over Harvey (38-49-87). Both also were in quest of becoming the first two players from any one team in the AHL to hit the 100 point mark in a season.</p><p>Harvey, Gilbert and Keller all landed on the coaches&rsquo; first all-star team, while goalie John Henderson earned a second team berth.</p><p>As Mathers so aptly described it:</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been a fantastic season. Now we&rsquo;d like the Calder Cup to top it all off.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-01

No Other Bears’ Team Ever Scored Like This One

<h2><b>SAT. MAR. 29</b></h2><p><b>PROVIDENCE 5 at SPRINGFIELD 1</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-02523/3138323-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg" title="f0016-02" width="594" height="596"></div><h2><b>SUN. MARCH 30</b></h2><p><b>CLEVELAND 3 AT ROCHESTER 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-03420/3138316-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="593" height="603"></div><p><b>BALTIMORE 3 At PROVIDENCE 0</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-04323/3138309-1-eng-US/f0016-042.jpg" title="f0016-04" width="594" height="453"></div><p><b>QUEBEC 2 At BUFFALO 2</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-05243/3138302-1-eng-US/f0016-052.jpg" title="f0016-05" width="584" height="480"></div><h2><b>Tues. Apr. 1</b></h2><p><b>BUFFALO 3 AT QUEBEC 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-06195/3138295-1-eng-US/f0016-062.jpg" title="f0016-06" width="584" height="132"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-07179/3138288-1-eng-US/f0016-072.jpg" title="f0016-07" width="595" height="487"></div><h2><b>WED. APRIL 2</b></h2><p><b>SPRINGFIELD 2 AT CLEVELAND 3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-08163/3138281-1-eng-US/f0016-082.jpg" title="f0016-08" width="587" height="524"></div><p><b>BALTIMORE 2 AT HERSHEY 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-09141/3138274-1-eng-US/f0016-092.jpg" title="f0016-09" width="590" height="154"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-10119/3138267-1-eng-US/f0016-102.jpg" title="f0016-10" width="592" height="401"></div><h2><b>FRI. APR. 4</b></h2><p><b>QUEBEC 1 AT PROVIDENCE 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-11105/3138260-1-eng-US/f0016-112.jpg" title="f0016-11" width="595" height="505"></div><p><b>ROCHESTER 5 at BUFFALO 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-1289/3138253-1-eng-US/f0016-122.jpg" title="f0016-12" width="606" height="254"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-1378/3138246-1-eng-US/f0016-132.jpg" title="f0016-13" width="594" height="420"></div><p><b>HERSHEY 6 at BALTIMORE 3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-1472/3138239-1-eng-US/f0016-142.jpg" title="f0016-14" width="602" height="814"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0016-02

American League Summaries

<h2><b>SERIES A</b></h2><p>Wednesday, April 9&mdash;Hershey at Buffalo</p><p>Saturday, April, 12&mdash;Buffalo at Hershey</p><p>Wednesday, April 16&mdash;Buffalo at Hershey</p><p>Friday, April 18&mdash;Hershey at Buffalo</p><p>Sunday, April 20 if necessary&mdash;Hershey at Buffalo</p><p>Wednesday, April 23 if necessary&mdash;Buffalo at Hershey</p><p>Friday, April 25 if necessary&mdash;Hershey at Buffalo</p><h2><b>SERIES B</b></h2><p>Wednesday, April 9&mdash;Providence at Baltimore</p><p>Saturday, April 12&mdash;Providence at Baltimore</p><p>Sunday, April 13&mdash;Baltimore at Providence</p><p>Tuesday, April 15 if necessary&mdash;Baltimore at Providence</p><p>Wednesday, April 16 if necessary&mdash;Providence at Baltimore</p><h2><b>SERIES C</b></h2><p>Wednesday, April 9&mdash;Quebec at Cleveland</p><p>Saturday, April 12&mdash;Quebec at Cleveland</p><p>Sunday, April 13&mdash;Cleveland at Quebec</p><p>Tuesday, April 15 if necessary&mdash;Cleveland at Quebec</p><p>Thursday, April 17 if necessary&mdash;Quebec at Cleveland<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Calder Cup Playoff Dates

<div class="byline">BY BOB ELMER</div><p>BALTIMORE, Md. &mdash;</p><p>Coach Aldo Guidolin&rsquo;s Baltimore Clippers made the American Hockey League&rsquo;s Calder Cup playoffs last week and it represented the city&rsquo;s fourth post-season appearance in its seven years of hockey existence.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-01514/3138378-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="253" height="439"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Marv Edwards</b></figcaption></div><p>As a result of this achievement, numerologists are having a field day. It so happens that Baltimore hockey teams in the AHL have advanced to the postseason series every odd year, while failing to make it on the evens.</p><p>The Clippers gained the playoffs in 1962-3, 1064-5, and 1966-7 and missed in 1963-4, 1965-6 and last year, 1967-8. The first two tries found the club losing out to Hershey in the first round, while the 1966-7 club eliminated Quebec before bowing to Rochester in the semifinals.</p><p>One of the Clippers&rsquo; key figures in their stretch rush in March is veteran goalie Marv Edwards, an off season fruit farmer with a hankering to get into the harness racing business and a pair of sons who may step into his shoes.</p><p>Edwards came to the Clippers through the courtesy of Pitts burgh GM Jack Riley, who owns his contract, by way of the Penguins Amarillo farm club. In 28 games with the Wranglers, Edwards had a gaudy 2.49 average while sharing the netminding with Buddy Blom, a Detroit Red Wing rookie. The year before, Marv backstopped the Portland Bucks to the Western League title and set a new circuit record for goaltending with a 2.45 mark.</p><p>The 33-year-old St. Catharines native came to Baltimore as an emergency replacement for the Clippers regular goaltender, Andy Brown. The latter suffered a broken collarbone in the March 1 game at Hershey and is not expected to play again this year.</p><p>Both of Edwards&rsquo; young sons, Mark, 12 Kevin, 9 play hockey in the pee-wee class at their home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. And, both have suddenly decided to become goalies. But, Marv doesn&rsquo;t necessarily move in with any quick advice.</p><p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t tell them anything,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t. In a way, no one can. Every shot comes at you is different in speed, direction and heaviness. When you&rsquo;re a goaltender you&rsquo;re on your own,&rdquo; Marv says.</p><p>It&rsquo;s not that he completely ignores the boys. Even though he&rsquo;s not around during most of the hockey season, he keeps in constant touch with his family and is well up on what the youngsters have accomplished on the ice.</p><p>During the summer, Edwards, whose best friend Bob Maxwell once played defense in Baltimore for the old Clippers at Carlins Iceland in the Eastern Amateur League under Andy Brown, grows apples, pears, peaches and plums in the Ontario fruit belt and dreams of supplementing his income by training and boarding horses.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-01

Edwards Goaling Puts Clippers In Playoffs

<h2><b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-02459/3138409-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="592" height="396"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Tues. Apr. 1</b></p><p>Buffalo 3 at Quebec 4</p><p><b>Wed. Apr. 2</b></p><p>Springfield 2 at Cleveland 3</p><p>Baltimore, 2 at Hershey 4</p><p><b>Fri. Apr. 4</b></p><p>Hershey 6 at Baltimore 3</p><p>Quebec 1 at Providence 4</p><p>Rochester 5 at Buffalo 4</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 5</b></p><p>Rochester 1 at Baltimore 4</p><p>Buffalo 1 at Cleveland 4</p><p>Providence 2 at Hershey 10</p><p>Quebec 2 at Springfield 7</p><p><b>Sun. Apr. 6</b></p><p>Cleveland 1 at Buffalo 4</p><p>Hershey 7 at Providence 3</p><p>Quebec 8 at Rochester 7</p><p>Baltimore 3 at Springfield 5<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-02

How They Stand

<div class="byline">BY HANS TANNER</div><p>ROCHESTER, N.Y.&mdash;</p><p>Barry Watson didn&rsquo;t have all that great a season with the Rochester Americans in 1968-69, but if he had been able to face nobody but the Cleveland Barons he&rsquo;d have been a lot happier and more successful.</p><p>Watson, with three games remaining on the schedule at this writing, could show only 13 goals and 11 assists for his season&rsquo;s output. He missed nearly a dozen games with a knee injury and rode the bench for parts of some others.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-03381/3138440-1-eng-US/f0017-032.jpg" title="f0017-03" width="253" height="441"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Barry Watson</b></figcaption></div><p>But against the Barons, Barry, son of former National Leaguer Harry Watson, was a tiger. He had scored just six goals in Rochester&rsquo;s 36 home games through April 1, and five of them were recorded in the seven meetings with Cleveland. Three of his seven assists on home ice also were posted against the Barons.</p><p>His record in Cleveland wasn&rsquo;t quite as impressive, but he did manage to connect for two his seven foreign ice goals and one of his five road assists in the six games in which he played in Cleveland.</p><p><b>ICICLES &mdash;</b> Buffalo&rsquo;s second goal here Friday, March 28, was the 271st given up by the Amerks this season &mdash; the most ever yielded by a Rochester club. Previous high was the 270 allowed by the 1962-63 squad &hellip; One AHL record set by a Rochester American back in the 1960-61 campaign has been wiped from the books. It was the 224 minutes in penalties piled up by Roger Cote for a single-season record. Springfield&rsquo;s Larry Johnston served his 224th and 225th minutes when sent to the penalty box at 16:04 of the third period Friday, March 28, at home against Hershey.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-03

Season Unproductive For Watson Except When He Faces Cleveland

<div class="byline">BY CHARLEY BARTON</div><p>BUFFALO, N.Y.&mdash;</p><p>The Buffalo Bisons, newly crowned champions of the American Hockey League, wound Up the 1968-69 season losing three of their four games to deprive themselves of two long-standing league records.</p><p>The Bisons finished with 97 points to miss the record and also ended with 19 victories on the road, also leaving them short of the mark.</p><p>The total points record of 100 was&rsquo;established by the Cleveland Barons in 1949-50, and the most road victories&rsquo; record of 20 was set by the Rochester Americans in 1964-65.</p><p>The Herd already has established one record this season. A 5-1 win in Hershey gave the Bisons 46 points on the road, wiping put the old record of 44 set by Cleveland in 1947-48.</p><p>Right-winger Guy Trottier, leading the league with 44 goals, was within sight of the club record of 50, established by Len Lunde in 1964-65.</p><p>&ldquo;Setting records would be fine, but the main thing now is to stay sharp for the playoffs,&rdquo; said Coach Fred Shero.</p><p>&ldquo;Trottier has lots of stamina, so we&rsquo;ll give him some extra work in an effort to beat Lunde&rsquo;s record. He has had a great season.</p><p><b>ALONG THE BOARDS &mdash;</b> Syl Apps Jr., 21-year-old son of Syl Sr., former Toronto Maple Leafs&rsquo; great and a member of the Hall of Fame, joined the Bisons for a three-game weekend. Apps played with Kingston in the Senior &ldquo;A&rdquo; OHA this winter, and is a sophomore at Queen&rsquo;s University. A center like his father, Syl impressed Shero with his strong skating and aggressiveness. He picked up one goal and one assist in his three games &hellip; Defenseman Bob Blackburn rejoined the Bisons after a five-week stand with the parent New York Rangers. Blackie is a cinch for the AHL&rsquo;s all-star team, and should be named the best defenseman. This is by far the 31-year-olds best season as a pro &hellip; Sherwood Altman caught a puck at a recent game here and threw it back on the ice. He gets all the pucks he needs since his son, Don, is married to the former Arlene Pastor, daughter of Ruby Pastor, the Bisons&rsquo; president.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Two AHL Records Elude Bisons As Herd Loses 3 Of Last Four

<p><b><u>to become a trainer or playing-trainer with a Swiss Hockey Club?</u></b></p><p>We play in the National B League, are situated 6 miles outside of the city of Zurich and have excellent conditions on our ice-rink. Good team work. You should be young, have some knowledge in French or German if possible and be keen to train and coach the first team and to train school-boys and juniors.</p><p>Good salary, paid travelling expenses, opportunity for 2-4 years contract. Season from end of September to end of February.</p><p>Write with photo HC Kusnacht, P.O. Box 138, CH-8700 Kusnacht-Zurich, stating references, playing and civil background.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

HOW ABOUT A TRIP TO SWITZERLAND

<p>TWIN CITIES, Minn. &mdash;</p><p>The way Al Shaver tells it, he was commencing a radio broadcast of a Minnesota North Stars-Los Angeles Kings playoff game, last year at the L.A. Forum, when he was interrupted by an elderly gentleman.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-01518/3138519-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="257" height="432"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Al Shaver</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;This gentleman had come in late,&rdquo; says Al, &ldquo;and, he was heading up the aisle looking for his row and seat. My broadcast location during the Stanley Cup quarter-finals in the Los Angeles Forum, last spring, was a seat right next to an aisle.</p><p>&ldquo;He saw me sitting there and talking,&rdquo; Shaver continues, &ldquo;but, apparently, did not see the microphone. Obviously unfamiliar with the building, and, I suppose, thinking I must be an usher, he planked his ticket down on the table in front of me, and said: &lsquo;Can you direct me to this seat?&rsquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I guess the hockey fans listening back in the Twin Cities thought I was moonlighting as an usher. But, somehow, I don&rsquo;t think my figure was built to wear one of those togas.&rdquo;</p><p>Things like that are all part of the game to Shaver, a veteran broadcaster, who handles the radio broadcasts of Minnesota North Stars games for WCCO Radio in Minneapolis-St. Paul.</p><p>A native of London, Ontario, where he was born in 1927, he attended Lome Greene&rsquo;s Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto, in the late 1940&rsquo;s, and then joined a newly opened radio station in Guelph. That was in 1948, and, over the next 15 years, he worked in various Canadian cities; finally winding up in Toronto where he was Sports Director of Station CKEY. The range of sports that Shaver has covered, over the years, is very, wide. He&rsquo;s done hockey, football, basketball, horse racing, golf, curling and bowling.</p><p>Shaver says that his most anxious experience in hockey broadcasting, occurred on March 10th, 1968, in Quebec City.</p><p>&ldquo;The Minnesota North Stars were forced to play the Philadelphia Flyers in the Coliseum, at Quebec City, because the roof of the Philadelphia Spectrum had been damaged,&rdquo; Shaver recalls. &ldquo;Something happened to our radio broadcast line between the Coliseum and the phone company, and I was forced to call the entire game on an ordinary telephone back to the Twin Cities. The trouble was never remedied.&rdquo;</p><p>According to Shaver, the Montreal Canadiens are still the best team in the National Hockey League, but, like many other broadcasters, he finds Chicago the most exciting.</p><p>&ldquo;Beyond any shadow of a doubt, the distinction for the most exciting team in hockey belongs to the Chicago Black Hawks,&rdquo; Shaver says. &ldquo;They are hockey&rsquo;s most explosive team. But, while the Hawks are exciting, Montreal still has the best club in the league.&rdquo;</p><p>Shaver, a transplanted Canadian, now lives in the Twin Cities, and he and his wife Shirley have five little Shavers around the house.</p><p>Al, a man not without humor, has a different answer than usual if you ask him to describe the toughest part of his job.</p><p>&ldquo;Beating Wren Blair, John Muckier and Johnny Mariucci at hearts during our road trips has been the toughest part of it all,&rdquo; he says.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-01

Minnesota Broadcaster Shaver Once Mistaken For Rink Usher

<p><b>LOUISVILLE SLUGGER</b></p><p><b>HOCKEY STICKS (Formerly Wally) Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Limited Wallaceburg, Ontario</b></p><p><b>LOUISVILLE SLUGGER</b></p><p><b>HOCKEY STICKS (Formerly Wally) Hillerich & Bradsby Co., limited Wallaceburg, Ontario</b></p><p>VANCOUVER. B.C.&mdash;</p><p>Vancouver goaler, Charlie Hodge is red hot for the Western Hockey League playoffs and for the Seattle Totems that spelled disaster.</p><p>The diminutive netminder came up with a sparkling performance to lead the Canucks as they swept past the Totems 4-0 in their best-of-seven semi-final playoff series.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-01498/3138550-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="258" height="431"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Charlie Hodge</b></figcaption></div><p>Hodge blanked the Totems in one game 6-0 and turned in a tremendous four-goals against performance in the four games.</p><p>The Canucks, who secured Hodge from Oakland Seals in the final month of the schedule to shore up their backline defense, have been more than pleased with little Charlie&rsquo;s puck stopping antics.</p><p>The win sent Vancouver into the Patrick Cup playoff finals against the survivor of the other semi-final series &mdash; either Portland Buckaroos or San Diego Gulls.</p><p>The Buckaroos, who won the regular season championship, again, have a real dog fight on their hands with the Gulls, who refused to concede an inch to the big, powerful Bucks.</p><p>Portland won the series opener 4-3 but the Gulls came back to grab the next two before the Buckaroos tied the series with a 3-1 home ice decision.</p><p>In the regular season that just ended, the Buckaroos and Gulls were the two highest-scoring teams in the league, ranked one-two in power-play goals, owned seven of the top 10 scorers in the WHL and boasted the 1-2-3 goal scorers in the circuit.</p><p>And at the same time, the Buckaroos and Gulls threw more fists than any other teams in the WHL, ranking 1-2 in major penalties for brawling.</p><p>The Buckaroos and Gulls, of course, are clashing in the playoff semi-finals for the second straight spring. And San Diego memories of last year will not help the Buckaroos.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-01

Hodge Hot As Vancouver Ousts Totems

<h2><b>WED. MAR. 19</b></h2><p><b>PORTLAND 4 AT DENVER 1</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-02427/3138637-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg" title="f0019-02" width="577" height="504"></div><h2><b>THURS. MAR. 20</b></h2><p><b>SAN DIEGO 6 AT PHOENIX 3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-03347/3138630-1-eng-US/f0019-032.jpg" title="f0019-03" width="586" height="669"></div><h2><b>FRI. MAR. 21</b></h2><p><b>PORTLAND 7 AT DENVER 3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-04296/3138623-1-eng-US/f0019-042.jpg" title="f0019-04" width="590" height="383"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-05248/3138616-1-eng-US/f0019-052.jpg" title="f0019-05" width="580" height="301"></div><p><b>SEATTLE 1 AT VANCOUVER 1</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-06197/3138609-1-eng-US/f0019-062.jpg" title="f0019-06" width="582" height="345"></div><h2><b>SAT. MAR. 22</b></h2><p><b>VANCOUVER 3 AT PHOENIX 6</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-07171/3138602-1-eng-US/f0019-072.jpg" title="f0019-07" width="581" height="662"></div><h2><b>SUN. MAR. 23</b></h2><p><b>VANCOUVER 5 AT DENVER 1</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-08155/3138595-1-eng-US/f0019-082.jpg" title="f0019-08" width="584" height="279"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-09132/3138588-1-eng-US/f0019-092.jpg" title="f0019-09" width="582" height="231"></div><p><b>SAN DIEGO 4 AT PORTLAND 8</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-10113/3138581-1-eng-US/f0019-102.jpg" title="f0019-10" width="576" height="794"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0019-02

Western League Summaries

<p>SEATTLE, Wash.&mdash;</p><p>Portland center Art Jones claimed his second straight Western Hockey League scoring championship, nipping teammate Bill Saunders for the crown. Jones&rsquo; title, his third, was accomplished, with 114 points on 38 goals and a league-leading 76 assists. Saunders finished with 112 points. The Buckaroo winger topped the WHL in goal scoring with 53 and added 59 assists. Jones&rsquo; 38th goal was his 400th in league play.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-1196/3138675-1-eng-US/f0019-112.jpg" title="f0019-11" width="257" height="429"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Art Jones</b></figcaption></div><p>Third on the final list was Guyle Fielder of Seattle. Fielder, the alltime scoring champion, ran his record to 1,595 points with 20 goals and 74 assists. Norm Johnson of Portland finished fourth with 90 points, sniping 43 goals. San Diego&rsquo;s Warren Hynes, with 36 goals and 52 assists for 88 points, completed the top five.</p><p>Goalie Jimmy McLeod of Portland topped the goaltenders&rsquo; for individual honors. McLeod also established a new goals against average with a season-long mark of 2.29. The old record was held by Buckaroo goalie Marv Edwards, who established a 2.36 mark last season.</p><p>Tom Polanic of Phoenix finished the season as the most penalized player in the WHL. Polanic collected 187 minutes in penalties on the strength of 77 minors. Portland&rsquo;s Connie Madigan led the WHL in majors with 6 while Vancouver&rsquo;s Bob Lemieux was assessed 7 misconducts.</p><h2><b>FINAL SCORING</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-1289/3138668-1-eng-US/f0019-122.jpg" title="f0019-12" width="584" height="625"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0019-11

Jones Beats Out Teammate To Win WHL Scoring Title

<p><b>New Subscribers To THE HOCKEY NEWS Guaranteed To Get First Issue Within Two Weeks</b></p><p><b>HOCKEY NEWS Makes An Ideal Gift On Any Occasion. Give A Subscription To Dad Or Brother</b></p><p>DALLAS, Tex &mdash;</p><p>Make way for the bronco busting Dallas Hawks. The Texans have become the newest threat to championship honors in the Central Hockey League and they are backing up their challenge with action. Not with words.</p><p>The Hawks, coached by Bobby Kromm steamrollered through two rounds of the CHL playdowns and are sitting back now awaiting the winner of the semi-finals&mdash;either Oklahoma City Blazers or Tulsa Oilers&mdash;before proceeding into the championship series for the Jack Adams Trophy.</p><p>The Hawks knocked off the Omaha Knights in three straight in their best-of-live semi-final series after disposing of Houston Apollos in a similare manner in the quarter-finals in which goaler Jack Norris was the outstanding performer.</p><p>With six straight playoff victories without a loss, the Hawks now stand poised as the &lsquo;giant killers&rsquo; of the playoffs and they could be tough in the finals with the added rest while the Oilers and Blazers are knocking each other about in the rugged semi-finals.</p><p>Jim Wiste, the young Chicago Black Hawk chattel, banged in an overtime period goal to give Dallas one of its semi-final playoff wins against Omaha.</p><p>The Knights had advanced against Dallas after disposing of the Kansas City Blues 3-1 in their best-of-five quarter-final series.</p><p>The big series between Tulsa and Oklahoma appeared as though it would go down to the wire. The Blazers jumped into a 2-1 eldge in the series but Tulsa came roaring back to win the next two on Oklahoma ice and go ahead 3-2.</p><p>Jim Lorentz, Oklahoma City, closed his point total at 101 to become the second highest scorer in CHL history. The record of 125 points was set by Al Caron of St. Louis in 1963-64. Caron now plays for Houston. Lorentz broke Caron&rsquo;s assist record of 66 with 68 assists and also tallied 33 goals.</p><p>Oklahoma City&rsquo;s Steve Atkinson finished as the No. 2 scorer with 81 points, followed by Juha Widing, Omaha 80 and Gary Veneruzzo Kansas City 78.</p><p>While Lorentz led the loop in assists, Widing has a high of 41 goals scored. Jack Norris had the best goals-against average&mdash;2.54, and tied three other players for the most shutouts&mdash;four. The others are: Gary Edwards, Kansas City; Russ Gillow, Oklahoma City and Ray Reeson, Tulsa.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Dallas Hawks Surprise Of CHL Playdowns

<h2><b>FRIDAY, MARCH 14</b></h2><p><b>TULSA 5 at OMAHA 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-01343/3138835-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="592" height="755"></div><h2><b>SAT. MARCH 15</b></h2><p><b>AMARILLO 3 at FT. WORTH 2</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-02256/3138828-1-eng-US/f0020-022.jpg" title="f0020-02" width="596" height="483"></div><p><b>HOUSTON 2 at DALLAS 3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-03213/3138821-1-eng-US/f0020-032.jpg" title="f0020-03" width="600" height="434"></div><p><b>OKLAHOMA CITY 3 at TULSA 7</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-04159/3138814-1-eng-US/f0020-042.jpg" title="f0020-04" width="608" height="885"></div><p><b>OMAHA 2 at MEMPHIS 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-0592/3138807-1-eng-US/f0020-052.jpg" title="f0020-05" width="588" height="114"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-0669/3138800-1-eng-US/f0020-062.jpg" title="f0020-06" width="595" height="431"></div><h2><b>SUNDAY, MARCH 16</b></h2><p><b>AMARILLO 2 at KANSAS CITY 8</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-0760/3138793-1-eng-US/f0020-072.jpg" title="f0020-07" width="597" height="737"></div><p><b>HOUSTON 4 at OKLAHOMA CITY 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-0851/3138786-1-eng-US/f0020-082.jpg" title="f0020-08" width="599" height="766"></div><p><b>OMAHA 4 at TULSA 6</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-0935/3138779-1-eng-US/f0020-092.jpg" title="f0020-09" width="607" height="790"></div><h2><b>EED. MARCH 19</b></h2><p><b>OMAHA 2 AT FT. WORTH 2</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-1029/3138772-1-eng-US/f0020-102.jpg" title="f0020-10" width="587" height="477"></div><p><b>TULSA 4 AT MEMPHIS 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-1122/3138765-1-eng-US/f0020-112.jpg" title="f0020-11" width="600" height="657"></div><h2><b>THURS., MARCH 20</b></h2><p><b>TULSA 1 AT HOUSTON 2</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-1220/3138758-1-eng-US/f0020-122.jpg" title="f0020-12" width="588" height="505"></div><h2><b>FRI., MARCH 21</b></h2><p><b>OKLAHOMA CITY 0 AT KANSAS CITY 2</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-1315/3138751-1-eng-US/f0020-132.jpg" title="f0020-13" width="593" height="399"></div><p><b>OMAHA 1 AT DALLAS 6</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-1414/3138744-1-eng-US/f0020-142.jpg" title="f0020-14" width="588" height="582"></div><h2><b>SAT. MARCH 22</b></h2><p><b>DALLAS 3 AT OKLAHOMA CITY 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-1514/3138737-1-eng-US/f0020-152.jpg" title="f0020-15" width="608" height="727"></div><h2><b>FINAL SCORING</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-1610/3138730-1-eng-US/f0020-162.jpg" title="f0020-16" width="592" height="687"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0020-01

Central Hockey League Summaries

<p>CLINTON, N.Y. &mdash;</p><p>The Clinton Jets are the champions of the Eastern Division of the New York State Pee Wee Hockey League following a last minute, 3-2, win over Syracuse.</p><p>Runners-up last year, Clinton was not to be denied, as they swept through the semifinal games in the first two days of play.</p><p>Twelve-year-old Perry Babcock, the tournament&rsquo;s outstanding forward and the championship game&rsquo;s most valuable player, scored the winning goal in the last minute of play. Clinton goal-tender Matt Weimer was named most valuable goalie while Syracuse&rsquo;s Dan Mathewson received the trophy as the most valuable defenseman.</p><p>Clinton made it look easy, defeating Oswego, 8-1 and Rome, 6-3, to advance to the finals. Syracuse had it a little tougher. The Salt City sextet went into the final seven seconds before scoring the winning goal against Ithaca, beating them, 4-3, Syracuse went into sudden death overtime against defending champion Troy before downing them by the identical, 4-3, score.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Clinton Pee Wees Win Eastern Title

<h2><b>WESTERN LEAGUE</b></h2><h3><b>Semi-Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-01200/3138932-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg" title="f0021-01" width="587" height="103"></div><p><b>(Vancouwr wins best-of-seven series 4-0)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Tues. Apr. 1</b></p><p>Vancouver 7 at Seattle 1</p><p><b>Wed. Apr. 2</b></p><p>Vancouver 6 at Seattle 0</p><p><b>Fri. Apr. 4</b></p><p>Seattle 1 at Vancouver 3</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 5</b></p><p>Vancouver 3 at Seattle 2</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-02146/3138925-1-eng-US/f0021-022.jpg" title="f0021-02" width="582" height="101"></div><p><b>(Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>ZD, Apr. 2</b></p><p>San Diego 3 at Portland 4</p><p><b>Thurs. Apr. 3</b></p><p>Portland 0 at San Diego 1</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 5</b></p><p>Portland 1 at Son Diego 6</p><p><b>Sun. Apr. 6</b></p><p>San Diego 1 at Portland 3</p><h3><b>GAMES TO COME</b></h3><p><b>Wed. Apr. 9</b></p><p>San Diego at Portland</p><p><b>Thurs. Apr. 10</b></p><p>Portland at San Diego</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 12</b></p><p>San Diego at Portland</p><h2><b>CENTRAL LEAGUE</b></h2><h3><b>Semi-Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-03104/3138918-1-eng-US/f0021-032.jpg" title="f0021-03" width="581" height="123"></div><p><b>(Tulsa leads best-of-seven series 3-2)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Fri. Mar. 28</b></p><p>Tulsa 3 at Oklahoma City 2</p><p><b>Wed Apr. 2</b></p><p>Tulsa 1 at Oklahoma City 6</p><p><b>Fri. Apr. 4</b></p><p>Oklahoma City 3 at Tulsa 2</p><p><b>Sat. Apr. 5</b></p><p>Tulsa 5 at Oklahoma City 3</p><p><b>Sun. Apr. 6</b></p><p>Tulsa 4 at Oklahoma City 3</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-0488/3138911-1-eng-US/f0021-042.jpg" title="f0021-04" width="583" height="104"></div><p><b>(Dallas wins best-of-five semi-finals 30)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Fri. Apr. 4</b></p><p>Dallas 4 at Omaha 3</p><p><b>Sat. Apr 5</b></p><p>Dallas 4 at Omaha 3</p><p><b>Sun. Apr. 6</b></p><p>Omaha 1 at Dallas 4</p><h3><b>Quarter-Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-0574/3138904-1-eng-US/f0021-052.jpg" title="f0021-05" width="596" height="93"></div><p><b>(Dallas wins best-of-five series 3-0)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-0665/3138897-1-eng-US/f0021-062.jpg" title="f0021-06" width="585" height="100"></div><p><b>(Omaha wins best-of-five series 3-1)</b></p><h2><b>EASTERN LEAGUE</b></h2><h3><b>Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-0756/3138890-1-eng-US/f0021-072.jpg" title="f0021-07" width="575" height="119"></div><p><b>(Best-of-seven finals tied 1-1)</b></p><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Wed. April 2</b></p><p>Nashville 3 at Clinton 2</p><p><b>Sat. April 5</b></p><p>Nashville 3 at Clinton 4</p><h3><b>GAMES TO COME</b></h3><p><b>Thurs. April 10</b></p><p>Clinton at Nashville</p><p><b>Fri. April 11</b></p><p>Clinton at Nashville</p><p><b>Sun. April 13</b></p><p>Nashville vs. Clinton (At Utica)<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0021-01

Playoff Races

<div class="byline">By HARVEY POLLACK</div><p>&mdash;CLINTON, N.Y.</p><p>The theories about teams with rest or teams with tough battle action having an edge in playoff competition are being severely tested in the championship finals of the Eastern Hockey. League&rsquo;s postseason play.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-0850/3138963-1-eng-US/f0021-082.jpg" title="f0021-08" width="262" height="419"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Pat Kelly</b></figcaption></div><p>Clinton and Nashville are the participants in the finals, but the two divisional titleholders reached the round of two by different routes. Clinton, the defending league king, was forced to undergo a hectic seven game series with New Haven before winning, 4-3, and earning the right to represent the North in the finals.</p><p>Nashville meantime encountered little difficulty in sweeping by Greensboro, the regular season champion, in four straight games. In fact there wasn&rsquo;t even a one goal triumph necessary for the Dixie Flyers. Earlier Lloyd Hinchberger&rsquo;s club had routed Charlotte in three straight sett os to thus move into the finals with seven consecutive victories and no defeats.</p><p>The home ice advantage that Clinton will enjoy in th finals could prove the difference in the best of seven series for the crown. The Comets won all four of their games at home vs New Haven and both of their earlier starts vs Long Island in the semi-finals Nashville also had four home ice wins to its credit. The difference in the early rounds was that Nashville also won the clinching game at Charlotte and beat Greensboro on the Gens ice twice. Clinton on the other hand wasn&rsquo;t able to win at New Haven although it did beat Long Island in the one game on the Ducks ice.</p><p>In regular season play, Nashville and Clinton maintained their home ice superiority against each other in their two clashes. Nashville won its home game 7-1, while Clinton blanked the Flyers, 3-0, on its rink.</p><p>Nashville surprised all the experts with its decision over Greensboro. The series didn&rsquo;t start out in auspicious fashion for the Dixie Flyers. Greensboro jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period of the inaugural, but the visitors didn&rsquo;t die. Instead they rallied for three goals in the-final periods to forge the first triumph.</p><p>In this game and throughout the entire Greensboro series, goalie Chuck Goddard played brilliantly in the nets for Nashville. He held the Gens to two goals in each game and made continual saves that bordered on the sensational. Don Borgeson&rsquo;s two goals highlighted the second win. Then came a six goal second period in the third game with Ken Haggarty and Ed Hebert producing double goals.</p><p>Clinton meantime muffed a big chance to win the sixth game at New Haven after posting a 3-0 edge, but the Comets then commanded the decisive seventh game from the outset. Two goals by Moe St. Jacques and another by Borden Smith gave the Comets a 3-0 edge and New Haven didn&rsquo;t tally until the last two minutes to kill Lyle Carter&rsquo;s chances of a shutout.</p><p>Carter was especially delighted that he was so effective in the finale since he was subjected to much abuse at New Haven from the Blades fans. Actually his counterpart, Dave Hainsworth, also played brilliantly in the nets for New Haven in the finale, stopping 46 shots in a vain effort.</p><p>In the sixth game. New Haven looked dead with a 3-0 deficit midway through the second period. But Don Perry&rsquo;s team rallied for the equalizers in that session and then added two winning goals in the last period to set up the seventh game.</p><p>Actually the series was not as rough as anticipated. After New Haven had manhandled Johnstown earlier, it appeared the Blades would utilize the same tactics against the Comets. But such was not the case and the lack of aggressiveness, especially at Clinton, hurt the team and caused a second year of disappointment for Perry.</p><p>For coach Pat Kelly of Clinton, it was another feather in his cap this year in getting to the finals. He had taken a team that had been dented considerably by deletions and molded together a pennant winner and hopefully a Walker Cup victor.</p><p><b>JERSEY:</b> Larry Pleau scored several goals for the U.S. team in the world championships at Stockholm. GM Eddie Ferenz denied reports that the Devils had been evicted from their arena here. The problems are with the firm that leases the building and not the Devils. Ferenz said the club drew 40 per cent more fans last year in a rebuilding season.</p><p><b>JACKSONVILLE:</b> Defense man Marc Brunet received a $225 fine and was suspended by prexy Tom Lockhart for his rough treatment of referee Bob Anselm, in the third and fourth games of the playoff series with Greensboro. His fate will be decided at the league&rsquo;s May meeting. Brunet has indicated he may quit the game to go into the construction business.</p><p><b>NASHVILLE:</b> Flyers won their fourth southern crown in five years, failing only last season &mdash; when Charlotte won. Switch in goalies late in season is credited with much of the late season success of Lloyd Hinchberger&rsquo;s club in a rebuilding campaign. Flyers lost season series to Greensboro but dominated the Gens in playoffs. Balanced forward lines with many scoring threats have made club tough to beat.</p><p><b>GREENSBORO:</b> Coach Ron Spong disappointed over club&rsquo;s flop againt Nashville especially since he felt the team was stronger at goal and a better skating outfit than last season&rsquo;s team. Club could not generate any sustained offensive. Loss of Kas Lysionek with fractured arm didn&rsquo;t help matters. Goalie Pete McDuffe was hampered by a shoddy defense that left him helpless on many occasions.</p><p><b>CLINTON:</b> The New Haven-Clinton series was a great crowd puller with fans clamoring for seats at both locations. Don Herriman, Borden Smith, Bill Bannerman, and Dave Armstrong scored steadily for Comets. Club only had two losses and two ties in Utica games this year. &ldquo;Carter Is A Bum&rdquo; and &ldquo;Carter is a Cry Baby&rdquo; were the chants that goalie Lyle Carter heard steadily from New Haven fans. Len Speck and Bucky Buchman had great defensive series. Pat Kelly unhappy with goal judges at New Haven.</p><p><b>NEW HAVEN:</b> Don Walker lost his contact lenses in one of the Clinton games and there was the usual two-team search. Comet fans raised banner pro claiming, &ldquo;Nice Series, Don Perry&rdquo; at finale. Most disappointed Blade was John Brophy who had more reasons to beat Comets than any other Blade. Blake Ball&rsquo;s wrenched knee and a knee ailment of Terry Jones crimped their efforts. Perry said failure of team to hit hurt Blades. At one stage of series Perry threatened off-season house cleaning if team didn&rsquo;t beat Clinton.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0021-08

Clinton Staggers Into Title Final But Nashville Breezes In On Sweep

<h2><b>ALLAN CUP</b></h2><h3><b>Eastern Canada</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-01220/3139078-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg" title="f0022-01" width="594" height="106"></div><p><b>(Galt wins best-of-seven semi-finals 4-1)</b></p><h3><b>Western Canada</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-02156/3139071-1-eng-US/f0022-022.jpg" title="f0022-02" width="589" height="111"></div><p><b>(Calgary wins best-of-five semi-finals 3-2)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-03134/3139064-1-eng-US/f0022-032.jpg" title="f0022-03" width="598" height="107"></div><p><b>(Port-Arthur leads best-of-five semi-finals 2-1)</b></p><h2><b>QUEBEC SENIOR LEAGUE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-04108/3139057-1-eng-US/f0022-042.jpg" title="f0022-04" width="598" height="98"></div><p><b>(Victorioville wins best-of-seven finals 4-1)</b></p><h2><b>MEMORIAL CUP</b></h2><h3><b>Eastern Canada</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-0594/3139050-1-eng-US/f0022-052.jpg" title="f0022-05" width="589" height="109"></div><p><b>(Sorel leads best-of-seven quarter-finals 2-0)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-0670/3139043-1-eng-US/f0022-062.jpg" title="f0022-06" width="591" height="107"></div><p><b>(Hull leads best-of-seven quarter-finals 3-2)</b></p><h2><b>ONTARIO JUNIOR</b></h2><h3><b>Semi-Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-0762/3139036-1-eng-US/f0022-072.jpg" title="f0022-07" width="593" height="107"></div><p><b>(Best-of-seven semi-finals tied 2-2, two draws)</b></p><h2><b>WESTERN CANADA</b></h2><p><b>(Regina leads best-of-five semi-finals 2-0)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-0854/3139029-1-eng-US/f0022-082.jpg" title="f0022-08" width="585" height="117"></div><p><b>(Dauphin wins best-ot-seven semi-finals 4-2)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-0948/3139022-1-eng-US/f0022-092.jpg" title="f0022-09" width="585" height="109"></div><h2><b>WESTERN CANADA JUNIOR</b></h2><h3><b>Semi-finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-1039/3139015-1-eng-US/f0022-102.jpg" title="f0022-10" width="584" height="119"></div><p><b>(Edmonton leads best-of-seven series 1-0, one draw)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-1135/3139008-1-eng-US/f0022-112.jpg" title="f0022-11" width="588" height="120"></div><p><b>(Flin Flon leads best-of-seven series 1-0, one draw)</b></p><h2><b>WESTERN ONTARIO JUNIOR</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-1231/3139001-1-eng-US/f0022-122.jpg" title="f0022-12" width="588" height="114"></div><p><b>(Best-of-seven semi-finals tied 2-2)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-1325/3138994-1-eng-US/f0022-132.jpg" title="f0022-13" width="596" height="107"></div><p><b>(Brantford leads best-of-seven, semi-finals 3-1)</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-01

<p>FORT WAYNE, IND.&mdash;</p><p>With Gordie Howe&rsquo; famous star of the Detroit Red Wings looking on and two of his sons in the lineup, the Detroit Dearborn Midgets won the National Midget championship in the tournament staged here.</p><p>The Detroit team defeated the Fort Wayne Midget Komets in the title game, 10-0,after beating Chicago in the semi-finals, 4-1. Fort Wayne entered the finals by winning from New York, 3-1. Seattle, Wash, won the consolation championship. Tom Esper had a hat trick for Detroit in the championship game.</p><p>Both of Gordie Howe&rsquo;s sons, Mark and Marty, won berths on the All-Star team, the former as left wind and the latter as defense.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Detroit Midgets Win As Howe Boys Star

<div class="byline">BY BOB REED</div><p>FORT WAYNE, Ind.&mdash;</p><p>International Hockey League teams were into the semi-final playoffs for the Turner Cup and there was a new threat for the season champion Dayton Gems.</p><p>That was the Muskegon Mohawks, third place finishers over the season, who emerged from the first round playoffs with by far the best record of the four that survived. The Mohawks, winning all three starts, piled up a total of 20 goals, five more than their nearest rivals and allowed only six, an average of only two per game.</p><p>The Gems were also three-game winners but they were pushed in all three games, being forced into overtime in two of them and coming from behind in another to win by a goal. However, the Gems, best defensive team in the league over the season, continued strong in that department, allowing only eight goals in the three games.</p><p>Besides Dayton and Muskegon, it was Toledo and Fort Wayne in the semi-finals. Columbus and Port Huron were eliminated in the six-team &ldquo;semi-round robin&rdquo; in the most hectic finish that could be imagined.</p><p>Four teams came down to the wire, faced with certain objectives in the final games in order to join. Muskegon and Dayton, who were already in, with two victories salted away. No more uncertain finish could have been imagined had the Script been written in advance.</p><p>Toledo, Fort Wayne, Columbus and Port Huron all needed victories in the windup games to assure a chance for survival. Toledo was the only one to accomplish that objective. But there was still formula for the losers-points, goals for and goals against.</p><p>Toledo got in by scoring seven goals in the final game. Port Huron, the hard luck loser in the first round, scored as many goals as all-winning Dayton, but lost out with 16 &ldquo;goals against&rdquo;.</p><p>That left Fort Wayne and Columbus sweating it out. The Komets were playing in Muskegon, where they were losing by 5-1 when they heard that Columbus was leading Dayton, 32. Their only hope, and it was a very faint one was for the Gems to nose the Checkers, at the same time holding them scoreless the rest of the way while the Komets were getting another goal or two and at the same time keeping the Mohawks within a reasonable &ldquo;goals against.&rdquo;</p><p>A crowd of 4,125 in the Muskegon arena, unaware of all the possibilities for the Komets, was amazed when they pulled the goalie, trailing by 5-1. But it allowed them to score a goal, by Reggie Primeau at 18:45, while the Mohawks were getting two in an empty net. This left them with 10 goals for and 15 against. In the meantime the Checkers were nosed out in an overtime at Dayton and finished with exactly the same number of goals for and against in the playoffs as the Komets. That carried the tie back to the regular season, where the Komets nosed the Checkers for fith place in the final game.</p><p>Dune Rousseau was the hero in both Dayton overtime victories, scoring the winning goals in both. Stan Maxwell had four goals for Toledo as the Blades were nosing Port Huron, 7-6. The Blades did not use Ramsay in goal in the final game of the initial playoffs and his status appeared doubtful for the semi-final round.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Muskegon’s Hot First Round Record Makes Hawks New Threat In Playoffs

<p>DAYTON, O. &mdash;</p><p>Dayton&rsquo;s Don Westbrooke is the new scoring champion of the International Hockey League with 118 points, three better than Muskegon&rsquo;s Gary Ford when he won the scoring title last year. Ford&rsquo;s 102 points this season placed him third behind Westbrooke and Bert Fizzell of Columbus.</p><p>Westbrooke rifled home 59 goals and assisted on 59 others for his 118 points. Fizzell, with 37 goals and 67 assists, wound up with 104 points while Ford had 41 goals and 61 assists.</p><p>Muskegon, the league&rsquo;s most prolific scoring team, placed five in the top 17 scorers in unofficial results.</p><p>In addition to Ford, Bryan McLay, Bob Smith, Bob Tombari and Bernie Blanchette were in the select circle. Columbus placed four among the top scorers. First year man Doug Volmar produced 63 goals for Columbus to top the league while Fizzell&rsquo;s 67 assists were high in that department.</p><h2><b>FINAL SCORING</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-1418/3139164-1-eng-US/f0022-142.jpg" title="f0022-14" width="592" height="386"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-1516/3139157-1-eng-US/f0022-152.jpg" title="f0022-15" width="591" height="88"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0022-14

Westbrooke Wins IHL Scoring

<div class="byline">BY JACK GATECLIFF</div><p>MONTREAL, Que. &mdash;</p><p>Montreal Junior Canadiens loom as heavy favorites to capture the Ontario Hockey Association junior A championship for the first time since they were granted entry into the Ontario group in the 1961-62 season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-01198/3139230-1-eng-US/f0023-012.jpg" title="f0023-01" width="255" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>OHA ALL-STARS</b></p><p><b>Rejean Houle</b></p></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-02157/3139223-1-eng-US/f0023-022.jpg" title="f0023-02" width="259" height="417"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Gil Perreault</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-03125/3139216-1-eng-US/f0023-032.jpg" title="f0023-03" width="257" height="410"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Marc Tardif</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-0497/3139209-1-eng-US/f0023-042.jpg" title="f0023-04" width="264" height="407"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Jim Rutherford</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-0577/3139202-1-eng-US/f0023-052.jpg" title="f0023-05" width="255" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Dick Redmond</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-0665/3139195-1-eng-US/f0023-062.jpg" title="f0023-06" width="264" height="410"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Randy Manery</b></figcaption></div><p>The Canadiens were accepted into the Ontario league as an emergency measure in the fall of 1961 when the two Toronto entries, the Marlboros and St. Michael&rsquo;s, withdrew to form a Toronto Metro junior A group.</p><p>The Marlboros returned two years later but the Canadiens had established themselves as such an excellent drawing card that the junior A council decided to retain them as members.</p><p>Although they have always been strong contenders the Canadiens have never won the playoff championship.</p><p>Last year they were eliminated by Niagara Falls Flyers in the final round.</p><p>In their first nine playoff games this season the Canadiens have been undefeated.</p><p>They won three and tied two with Hamilton Red Wings in the quarter-finals, then shot Peterborough Petes down in four straight.</p><p>They now await the survivor of the St. Catharines-Niagara Falls semi-final.</p><p>The Flyers went eight games before eliminating Ottawa 67s in their first round while the Black Hawks defeated Toronto Marlboros in six games.</p><p>Montreal finished in first place during the regular schedule, six points above St. Catharines while Peterborough was third and Niagara Falls fourth.</p><p>The Canadiens also had the league&rsquo;s top points scorer in right winger Rejean Houle who scored 53 goals and 55 assists for 108 points in the 54-game schedule.</p><p>St. Catharines rookie Marcel Dionne, a native of Drummondville, Quebec, was second with 100 points, Daryl Sittier of London third with 99, Pierre Jarry of Ottawa fourth with 98 and Gil Perreault of the Canadiens fifth with 97.</p><p>The forward line on the first all-star team was composed completely of Montreal players &mdash; Houle, Perreault and left winger Marc Tardif.</p><p>Jim Rutherford of Hamilton was named the top goaltender, Dick Redmond of St. Catharines and Randy Manery of Hamilton earned defence berths.</p><p>The second team was made up of goaltender Paul Hoganson of Toronto, defencemen Ron Stackhouse of Peterborough and Serge Lajeunesse of Montreal, centre Sittier, wingers Phil Roberto and Don Tannahill of Niagara Falls.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0023-01

Unbeaten Canadiens Streaking To League Title

<h2><b>FIRST TEAM</b></h2><p>G&mdash;Rutherford, Hamilton</p><p>D&mdash;Redmond, St. Catharines</p><p>D&mdash;Manery, Hamilton</p><p>C&mdash;Perreault, Montreal</p><p>RW&mdash;Houle, Montreal</p><p>LW&mdash;Tardif, Montreal</p><h2><b>SECOND TEAM</b></h2><p>G&mdash;Hoganson, Toronto</p><p>D&mdash;Stackhouse, Peterborough</p><p>D&mdash;Lajeunesse, Montreal</p><p>C&mdash;Sittier, London</p><p>RW&mdash;Roberto, Niagara</p><p>LW&mdash;Tannahill, Niagara<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

THE TEAMS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-0759/3139285-1-eng-US/f0023-072.jpg" title="f0023-07" width="884" height="1174"></div><p><b>Solution in April 19 issue</b></p><h2><b>ACROSS</b></h2><p>1&mdash;Pictured player.</p><p>9&mdash;1965-66 Conn Smythe trophy winner.</p><p>10&mdash;A Member of the Deer family. (P).</p><p>11&mdash;Pittsburgh uses one as their emblem.</p><p>12&mdash;Pit Martin registered one in Chicago&rsquo;s last game.</p><p>14&mdash;To make mistakes.</p><p>16&mdash;Neither.</p><p>17&mdash;Initials of an N.H.L. referee.</p><p>18&mdash;Preposition.</p><p>19&mdash;Initials of one of the Rangers.</p><p>21&mdash;One of the Hawks.</p><p>24&mdash;Initials of Attwell of Buffalo.</p><p>26&mdash;One of the Hawks.</p><p>27&mdash;Scored 25 goals for Minnesota this season.</p><p>29&mdash;Initials of Grenier of Houston.</p><p>31&mdash;Stapleton injured one earlier this season.</p><p>32&mdash;One of the North Stars.</p><h2><b>DOWN</b></h2><p>1&mdash;A Minnesota rookie.</p><p>2&mdash;Initials of ex-Hawk Rollins.</p><p>3&mdash;One of the Cleveland Barons.</p><p>4&mdash;15th and 26th letters of the alphabet.</p><p>5&mdash;First name of one of the Rangers.</p><p>6&mdash;The. (fr.)</p><p>7&mdash;One of the L.A. Kings.</p><p>8&mdash;Wears NO. 19 for Toronto.</p><p>13&mdash;1st and 15th letters of the alphabet.</p><p>15&mdash;A New York centre.</p><p>20&mdash;St. Louis Recently</p><p>called up this forward.</p><p>22&mdash;Locas of Providence answers to this.</p><p>23&mdash;Initials of one of the Bruins.</p><p>25&mdash;Verb.</p><p>27&mdash;Same as 6 down.</p><p>28&mdash;19 across registered on the last day of the season. (init.)</p><p>30&mdash;Initials of Leafs captain.</p><h2><b>LAST WEEK&rsquo;S ANSWERS</b></h2><h3><b>ACROSS</b></h3><p>1&mdash;FERGUSON.</p><p>2&mdash;LEO.</p><p>6&mdash;OO.</p><p>7&mdash;BODNAR.</p><p>12&mdash;INGRAM.</p><p>13&mdash;IAN.</p><p>14&mdash;A.P.</p><p>16&mdash;ONE.</p><p>17&mdash;GEO.</p><p>19&mdash;L.N.</p><p>20&mdash;ARE.</p><p>22&mdash;J. L.</p><p>23&mdash;SAM.</p><p>26&mdash;B.E.</p><p>27&mdash;TRAINS.</p><p>30&mdash;TEA.</p><p>32&mdash;K.C.</p><p>33&mdash;STANFIELD.</p><h3><b>DOWN</b></h3><p>1&mdash;FLEMING.</p><p>2&mdash;D.G</p><p>3&mdash;ROBINSON.</p><p>4&mdash;NORMAN.</p><p>8&mdash;ON.</p><p>9&mdash;D.G.</p><p>10&mdash;N.R.</p><p>11&mdash;A.A.</p><p>15&mdash;PETE</p><p>16&mdash;O.H.A.</p><p>18&mdash;ELLETT</p><p>21&mdash;RON.</p><p>22&mdash;J. B.</p><p>23&mdash;STAN.</p><p>24&mdash;A.R.</p><p>25&mdash;MAKI.</p><p>28&mdash;ICE.</p><p>29&mdash;SID.</p><p>31&mdash;EA.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0023-07

Hockey Crossword

<div class="byline">BY JACK BERRY</div><p>DETROIT, Mich.&mdash;</p><p>Criticism of the Red Wings has been almost unheard of in Detroit but it mounted this year when the team failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for a club record third straight time and the fifth time in 11 years.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-01205/3139323-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="263" height="398"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Bruce Norris</b></figcaption></div><p>Red Wing fans were accustomed not only to making the playoffs with delightful regularity but to finishing right up at the top. The 1950s record of seven straight first place finishes is unmatched in pro sport.</p><p>But those were the 1950s. Now the team is on the verge of the 1970s and in between there was only one championship, the Ted Lindsay year and, more and more in retrospect it is apparent that Lindsay should have won the Hart Trophy that season as most valuable player.</p><p>He scored just 15 goals but he was the spark that sent the Red Wings to the 1964-65 championship and they haven&rsquo;t played like that since.</p><p>The Wings did play well at home this season, winning 3, tieing seven and losing only eight. That helped keep the heat off but it broke out at the end with both newspapers critical of club owner Bruce Norris and the fans very critical of general manager Sid Abel.</p><p>Detroit Free Press sports editor-columnist Joe Falls cited Abel for &ldquo;trading the tomorrows for yesterdays.&rdquo;</p><p>Norris, who is consulted on every move and calls a number of them himself, says he hasn&rsquo;t &ldquo;meddled&rdquo; with the team and he was angry when the newspapers accused him of it.</p><p>But someone must be a poor judge of talent for the club to finish out of the money three straight years. And there must be some poor judgement when the club misses five times in 11 years and barely makes the playoffs, finishing fourth, five other times. The exception was the Lindsay year, the title year.</p><p>Abel intimated in a newspaper interview that perhaps the farm clubs weren&rsquo;t producing, that Detroit didn&rsquo;t have any Brad Parks or Walt Tkaczuks. But a check of the rosters of the 11 other NHL teams shows 25 players age 28 and under who are products of the Detroit farms and were traded or lost in the draft. Therefore the farms have produced NHL players.</p><p>With the heat building, Norris said both Abel and coach Bill Gadsby would return next season. Abel has been coach, general manager or both for 111/2 seasons.</p><p>Gabsby just completed his rookie year as coach and the former tough, 20-year NHL defenseman did a good job although the team missed the playoffs. It advanced to fifth from a very bad last and it allowed 221 goals in 76 games compared to a club record 257 for 74 games last season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02149/3139316-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="541" height="566"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Bill Gadsby &hellip;Resents Being Replaced</b></figcaption></div><p>But Norris &ldquo;suggested&rdquo; that Abel and Gadsby switch places, Able going behind the bench, for two crucial games during the Wings&rsquo; decisive five game journey in March. The Wings had torally to get a tie in one of them, a 4-4 game at Oakland, and lost the other, 4-2, at Los Angeles.</p><p>Gadsby returned to the bench for the next game saying it was &ldquo;where I ought to be all the time.&rdquo;</p><p>Norris doesn&rsquo;t like losing. He pointed out, &ldquo;we spent $2 million enlarging and improving the building and the only way we&rsquo;re going to get it back is by making the playoffs.&rdquo;</p><p>There&rsquo;s also a family tradition of winning, established by his father who purchased the Wings and Olympia in 1933 and together with Jack Adams built one of the game&rsquo;s strongest dynasties, a dynasty that is no more.</p><p>Abel doesn&rsquo;t like losing, either. An All-Star player at two positions, youngest captain in Red Wing history, center of the famed Production Line and a Hart Trophy winner, Abel took an outstanding record into the executive end. He&rsquo;s been particularly well-liked by newspaper and radio-TV men and has been very frank and that&rsquo;s been a reason for a hesitancy to criticize.</p><p>But when a club misses the playoffs three straight years and five of 11, something is wrong.</p><p>Fortunately during that time the Wings still had&mdash;and have &mdash; Gordie Howe who has eased the pain with his continued superb play. The addition of Frank Mahovlich to the line with Howe and longtime sidekick Alex Delvecchio made it more palatable this season with the unit ripping up the record book.</p><p>Norris admitted the team has deficiencies on defense and that the second and third lines didn&rsquo;t contribute, enough to the scoring. He indicated the team would try to trade to improve itself but then there&rsquo;s the question of trade who? The farms have been pretty well cleaned out.</p><p>As the season ended, there was no cause for optimism among Red Wing supporters.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-01

WOLVES HOWL AS WINGS MISS PLAYOFFS

<p>DETROIT, Mich.&mdash;</p><p>The Red wings may have finished out of the playoffs in the NHL for the third successive year but it didn&rsquo;t seem to bother the Olympia fans.</p><p>And there were plenty of supporters. The team drew a record 496,067 fans this season, set a single game record of 15,347 and tied it twice.</p><p>Dean Prentice was the surprised recipient of two previously unannounced awards at the season-closing Trophy Night. Prentice was honored by the For&rsquo;Em Fan Club as the &ldquo;Unsung Hero&rdquo; and his teammates voted him the Trophy for &ldquo;Best Performance When Injured.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-03104/3139354-1-eng-US/f0024-032.jpg" title="f0024-03" width="269" height="429"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Dean Prentice</b></figcaption></div><p>Gordie Howe, Frank Mahovlich, Garry Unger, Gary Bergman and Bob Baun were the Wings&rsquo; iron men, playing all 76 games. Nick Libett missed only one. It was the 16th time in Howe&rsquo;s 23-year NHL career that he played every game and the fantastic 41-year-old has missed only two games in the past eight seasons, just 42 of a possible 1,610.</p><p>Bruce MacGregor ended the season on the sidelines with a mild case of mononucleosis &hellip;the Wings ended the season with an eight game winless streak, tying only two in the stretch run and that knocked them out of the playoff picture. They won only three of 13 games in March. &mdash; BERRY<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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April 12, 1969

Footloose

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