Totems Miss Playoffs But Walton Top Scorer

SEATTLE— Bob Walton who took over the scoring leadership from Murray Heatley in the final weeks of the season, held on to win the Western Hockey League scoring title. Ken Broderick of San Diego who led all season, won the goaltending award with a 2.94 goals against average. His own teammate, Bob Champoux, was his nearest rival, with a 3.31 mark. Walton, slender center of the Seattle Totems, posted a three-point margin over Murray Heatley of Phoenix. The 23-year-old Walton scored 40 goals and a league-leading 61 assists, despite the fact his team missed the playoffs. Heatley, 24-year-old Phoenix Roadrunner rightwinger, led in goals with 43, and totalled 98 points. Art Jones of Portland, the scoring champion for the last five consecutive seasons, finished third with 89 points, two ahead of Salt Lake’s Lyle Bradley. Ron Huston,…

If Better Balance Will Help Then Reay’s Raiders Have A Chance To Bring Back The Last Glory Days Of 1961

CHICAGO— Not one to become maudlin over a bygone possession like say, a Bobby Hull, William T. Reay instead prefers to don the old rose-colored glasses when peeking at the future. As springtime rolled around, of course, the future was the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the coach of the Chicago Black Hawks was giving his state of the union message. “This is a more balanced club this year,” he was saying. “Nobody is waiting for one or two guys to do the job. Everybody is going out and doing his own.” Of course, Mr. Reay was casting no aspersions on the abilities of Hull, whom he would welcome back into the Black Hawk lineup in about three seconds. What the coach was saying, also, is what he had to say. (He wasn’t about to enter…

Hockey Ad Lib

Looking Back On The Season As the playoffs proceed, there still is time to spotlight achievements from the long season, which should not be forgotten. Canadiens captured the pennant with a team effort, tutored over rough spots in the road by tough Scotty Bowman. Bruins, who switched mentors in midstream, from Tom Johnson to Bep Guidolin, were served by stars as usual as they saved second. Phil Esposito is thunder, Bobby Orr lightning. Some say Orr always is the Most Valuable Player. Since Esposito won one, Orr has won three straight. Espo should win another this season. He may repeat as this publication’s Player of the Year. In any event, his thunder has not gone unnoticed here. He is more than just sound. He also is fury in action. It is sad…

HOW THEY STAND