Puck On The Net: Tweeting Game 2

The Hockey History blogger will be tweeting game two starting around 7:30 EST/4:30 PST. Join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends.

Here's a few slap shots:

• Eklund fired! - No, not that Eklund. The original Eklund, former Flyers power play specialist Pelle Eklund, was among six scouts fired by the Montreal Canadiens today. Former NHL ref Denis Morel was another of the casualties. Right before the NHL Draft seems like an odd time to fire your scouts. I suspect they must have their draft lists together already.
• Giant Stanley Cup - Roy MacGregor reports that there is an effort to create a giant Stanley Cup statue, complete with Lord Stanley of Preston present, too. As MacGregor says, "they are looking to put up a 20-metre statue to a trophy that stood 180-millimetres tall, spending as much as $8-million to honour a trophy that cost Stanley $48.67." The statue would be in Ottawa, although the exact location is still up for debate.

See you at game time on Twitter @HockeyLegends.

The Curse of Muldoon

This is Pete Muldoon. Way back in 1926 he became the first head coach of the Chicago Black Hawks. Note that the team's nickname originally was two words, not one.

Muldoon had spent eight seasons coaching in Seattle, and had guided the Metropolitans to three Stanley Cup finals appearances. Oddly enough, the Ontario native moved to the American northwest to pursue a career as a professional boxer, not as a hockey coach.

Hawks owner Major Frederick McLaughlin hired Muldoon to coach his new hockey team, and had great expectations. But things did not go as either had hope. The Hawks finished 19-22-3 in the 44 game season in 1926-27.

McLaughlin blamed Muldoon for the third place finish, and fired him after just the one season. Muldoon was said to be irate.

In 1943 famed Toronto Globe & Mail columnist Jim Coleman recalled the incident, complete with the following quote. "Fire me, Major, and you'll never finish first. I'll put a curse on this team that will hoodoo it until the end of time," Muldoon said angrily.

Way back in those days there was much greater emphasis on winning first place in the league than there is nowadays. In fact it was almost as important as winning the Stanley Cup.

Supposedly the "Curse of Muldoon" was very effective as it was not until 1967 that the Hawks did finish first place in their own division, the supposed breaking of the curse. They had won Stanley Cups in 1934, 1938 and 1961, however.

Some historians suggest it was the first such curse in North American pro sports.

But there is a catch. It was completely made up. Many years later Coleman admitted he made up the entire account while pressed to meet a writing deadline back in 1943.

But the legend grew into fact, with Chicago and NHL scribes everywhere passing on the story and even changing it and expanding upon it over the years. The Curse of Muldoon has very much been a part of the hockey lexicon in Chicago.

Ultimately the late Pete Muldoon was the only true victim of his supposed curse. He is remembered as a hot-head when in truth he was anything but. But I guess at least he is remembered.

Muldoon should be remembered as a great hockey man, as attested by none other than Frank and Lester Patrick. In many ways he was the father of hockey in the American northwest, Seattle and Tacoma, Washington and in Portland, Oregon in particular. Had he not prematurely died of a heart attack in 1929 perhaps big league hockey would have continued it's growth in the area.

Morey Holzman has probably researched Mudoon and his supposed hex more than anyone. He had an interesting piece in the New York Times this past weekend. Be sure to read it and give Morey some feedback.

Puck On The 'Net: Far From A Classic

Here's some game one slap shots:

• Well that was far from a classic Stanley Cup finals game. Both Chicago and Philadelphia were trying very hard to disprove the theory that you must have strong goaltending to win the Stanley Cup.
• I thought Philly really had Chicago's number in this game through two, but they couldn't maintain any leads. They did a good job of forechecking, interrupting break out plays, and getting to the slot.
• Even though Chicago played their worst game since game one of the Vancouver series, somehow the Blackhawks kept the score tied after two. Then they really took over the game, with Philly looking like the team skating in quicksand. The Flyers were really over-relying on their top 4 D. Perhaps this is why they tired out.
• Toews, Kane and Byfuglien and Richards, Carter and Gagne combined for 0 points and a -16 rating in game 1.
• Daniel Briere and Chris Pronger were Philadelphia's best players I barely noticed Mike Richards all game.
• Even if Philadelphia convincingly won game one, the Flyers would not have been headlining the morning sports pages. Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay had a perfect game, and apparently all hockey reporters were told prior to the hockey game's completion to keep their stories short. 

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends

Tweeting Game One

Join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends for game one of the Stanley Cup finals. Chicago vs. Philadelphia in what should be a very good series.

Save Henderson's Jersey

A commenter on this website by the name of TS gave me an interesting idea - The idea would be facilitate a way for fans to donate money in trust, with the idea of using the money to purchase the jersey and then donate it to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Now I don't have the technical know-how when it comes to doing this. And TS gives my two websites,  GreatestHockeyLegends.com and 1972SummitSeries.com,  too much credit on the size of audience I can reach. So I'd like a little feedback on this - do you think this is a realistic venture?

Henderson Jersey To Be Destroyed?

There's still a month left to bid on arguably the most significant piece of memorabilia in Canadian hockey history. With over 20 bids and a current price tag of over $130,000, the winning bid on Paul Henderson's 1972 Summit Series jersey will be upwards of $300,000 or maybe even more.

On the email discussion group for the Society of International Hockey Research, fellow hockey historians pondered who may behind these bids and the fate of the jersey itself. Hopefully the anonymous winning bid will go to a well-money private collector. Hopefully he will be willing to share the jersey with the Hockey Hall of Fame at least part of the year.

SIHR member Ralph Slate (of hockeydb.com fame) postulated that with prices already so high, perhaps it is a private business who is after the jersey. He even stated, perhaps somewhat in jest, "Sadly, at that price, the jersey is likely being pursued by a trading card company who will destroy it by cutting it into "swatches" for inclusion in their hockey card packs."

This is a possibility. Back in 2000 the card company In The Game acquired the only known pair of goalie pads that belong to Georges Vezina. The company cut the pads up into 300 pieces and placed them on hockey cards sold in $5 packs. One card was recently listed on eBay at $349.

The company said their motivation was in "sharing the piece with fans around the world." I'd rather have seen the Vezina's pads and the other items donated to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Could the same happen to Paul Henderson's famous jersey?  They had previously done similar cards with cut ups of Johnny Bower's sticks, Terry Sawchuk's blocker, the gloves of Turk Broda and Jacques Plante, and Russian great Vladislav Tretiak's jersey. In The Game (ITG) does seem to have a preoccupation with the year 1972.

There is no doubt whoever wins this auction will have to be well-moneyed. Hopefully they are well intentioned, too.

Puck On The 'Net: Hitting The Links

Here's a few links of interest for Friday's Slap Shots:

• A Simon Fraser University (Vancouver) study suggests wealthy teams don't fare any better at the draft table compared to weaker franchises. For all the time and money teams invest into it, the NHL Draft really is a crapshoot.
• Is the Chicago Blackhawks secret weapon simply Vitamin D? Vitamin D sure has gotten lots of great press in recent months, but the rest of us probably shouldn't start popping 5000 IUs a day.
• Hawkeytown, USA - Eric Duhatschek with a good look at the revival of the Blackhawks.
• Theoren Fleury joins Russ Courtnall as the first two announced cast members of the Battle of the Blades. There was some rumours that Mats Sundin was being courted for the show, too.

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends

Other Great Items Up For Bids

Yesterday I made mention of the amazing Paul Henderson 1972 Summit Series game worn jersey up for bids at ClassicAuctions.net. Here's a look at some other items of interest:

The estate of Teeder Kennedy is prominently featured. You can buy his Stanley Cup championship rings, his Maple Leaf Garden life time pass, his Hart Trophy plate, his issued set of Trail of the Stanley Cup, and his Hockey Hall of Fame induction plaque.

The auction's most unusual item has to be Teeder Kennedy's dental plate. His 1945 Stanley Cup championship ashtray is unique, too. Meanwhile his 1940s Leafs wool cardigan is very cool, as is the hockey themed movie poster collection.

Grant Fuhr's game worn goalie mask should see a lot of interest, as should Vladislav Tretiak's helmet and cage mask.

As always there is no shortage of game worn jerseys. Among the most interesting are a Hobey Baker era (1910s) Princeton Tigers sweater and Hakan Loob's old school Team Sweden jersey from the 1970s.

Sami Kapanen Retires

Sami Kapanen officially retired today. True, he left the National Hockey League a couple of years back, but
he remained active in Finland.

I always enjoyed Sami Kapanen, the speedy little Finnish waterbug of a hockey player. He was constantly in motion. He didn't just keep his feet moving, he kept them motoring. He was one of the fastest players I've seen, and just a fantastic competitor.

His skating skills were deeper than just speed. He had an excellent acceleration, and he knew how to change gears on a defenseman. He had good agility and balance on his feet, with a low center of gravity that he learned to maximize to make him hard to knock off the puck. He was good at reading the play develop and knew when to dart in and out of traffic.

Here's my full feature on Sami Kapanen

Henderson's Jersey Up For Bids

Our friends over at ClassicAuctions.net have an all new and always fascinating auction running now through June 22nd, 2010. Teeder Kennedy's estate may be the feature collection, but the highlight item is undeniable: the actual jersey Paul Henderson wore in game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series.

Described as "the most significant artifact in the history of the game of hockey," this is of course the jersey Henderson scored arguably the most goal in the game's glorious history - the goal that won the 1972 Summit Series with just 34 seconds left.

Bidding for the jersey has just started, opening at $10,000. It is already fetching over $67,000 (update: over $120,000, which is more than double the value in the 12 hours or so since I originally published this article) with the bidding likely to get a whole lot higher than that!

Henderson apparently gifted the jersey to Team Canada trainer Joe Sgro. He sold it to one collector, who in turned sold it to another who is now offering it up for auction. No price history is publicly available on the jersey. The auction house is expecting this jersey to break previous highest game worn jersey sale of $191,000 for a Bobby Orr rookie jersey.

Needless to say, we will be watching the progress of this jersey sale with great curiosity.

Remembering Rocket Richard

Ten years ago today we lost Maurice "Rocket" Richard.

Puck On The 'Net: Marian Hossa: Chicago's Secret Weapon?

Here's Thursday's Slap Shots:

• I've tweeted this line before - the only thing that can stop Chicago from winning the Stanley Cup now is the curse of Marian Hossa. He has been on the losing side of each of the last two Stanley Cup finals, after all. But it might just be that Marian Hossa will finally break out in the Finals. He is a bit of Flyers killer historically. In 16 career Stanley Cup playoff games vs. Philadelphia Hossa has scored 8 goals, 14 assists for an impressive 22 points.
• Hossa does get a bad wrap because of his contract. 12 years and $63 million for a guy with a spotty playoff record. Heck, this post season the Blackhawks' highest paid player has just 2 goals in 16 games. While he probably shouldn't be getting paid as a gamebreaker, he does bring a lot to the table that does go unheralded, including his strong defensive play.
• I've probably come across as expecting Chicago to decisively trump Philadelphia in the finals. But the Flyers are not as huge an underdog as I and others may think. They have nearly the same offensive depth up front, an equally good coach, an equally good goaltender, and perhaps superior specialty teams. But I believe this series will be based on who has the blue line. Somehow I just don't see Philadelphia's rearguards handling the size and speed of the Hawks very well.
• By the way, Philadelphia took the only meeting between these two teams in the regular season, winning 3-2 on home ice on March 13th, 2010. Cristobal Huet played in net for Chicago.

Chicago's Last Stanley Cup - 1961

Here's a good video on the Chicago Black Hawks 1961 Stanley Cup victory:

Philadelphia Last Won Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975

Black Hawks vs. Blackhawks.

Michael Langlois of Vintage Leaf Memories has a nice article comparing the Chicago Black Hawks of 1961 to the Chicago Blackhawks of 2010.

Which leads me to this tangent - Black Hawks vs. Blackhawks.

Although the founding documents filed when the franchise became part of the National Hockey League in 1926 had the team's nicknamed spelled as one word "Blackhawks," the team was commonly known by the two word spelling of Black Hawks. It was not until 1986 that team settled the issued and reverted back to the original spelling we now know today: the Chicago Blackhawks.

The team was founded in 1926 by Major Frederic McLaughlin, a World War 1 veteran who inherited his father's successful coffee business. Even though he knew little about hockey prior to 1926, McLaughlin found the Blackhawks, naming them after his "Blackhawk" infantry division he commanded. The division itself was nicknamed after Chief Black Hawk of the Sauk Nation.

You can see how the spelling was confusing right from the on-set. Check out this rare pin, courtesy of ClassicAuctions.net,  believed to be the Hawks inaugural season of 1926-27, or perhaps even earlier. Even though the team's name was originally one world Blackhawks, very early on the two word variation was commonly used:

Even though the team itself commonly spelled the name with two words, the one word variation still crept in to official team issued products. Here's Bobby Hull's jacket from back in the 1960s. Note the one-word spelling.

The decision in 1986 to rechristen the team with the original one word spelling may have been a pre-emptive move to ward off future litigation. Over the years Native American groups have increasingly shown their objection the use of Indian names and logos for professional and college sports, such as the Blackhawks, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. By reverting to the one word spelling I suppose the Chicago hockey team could argue their name actually honours a piece of military history, and therefor would not need to change their name or compensate any Native group.

You know, aside from that big Indian head they use as their logo.

Puck On The 'Net: Yzerman Bolts Detroit

Here's Wednesday's Slap Shots:

• I think everyone realized that in order to become a NHL general manager, Steve Yzerman would have to leave Detroit. When that expected day came, it still came as a shock. Steve Yzerman no longer a Red Wing, but the new general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning
• Yzerman will do an excellent job there. As a colleague suggested to me today, he can only bring that franchise up. The Lightning have redefined dysfunctional in the last couple of seasons. Circus act is almost too kind of a description for the anarchy there. 
• Hopefully the damage inflicted in Tampa Bay the last couple of years can be overcome. Tampa has shown to be one of the better sunbelt markets, especially when the team was strong. The team needs a whole new fresh start, and Yzerman can deliver that. At the same time key names like Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and now Steven Stamkos still form a strong and familiar nucleus to not only build around on the ice, but off of it as well.
• Paul Kariya might look good in Tampa Bay, although I suspect Yzerman's immediate on-ice focus will be better stocking the system and bringing in some proven depth players. He will need to fill off-ice vacancies in management and especially behind the bench first. Once he has picked a coaching staff then everyone will have a better look at his vision for next season. Then he can begin plugging the on-ice holes for next season and perhaps beyond. 

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends

Puck On The 'Net: Chicago vs Philly

The Stanley Cup finals are set, with the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Philadelphia Flyers for game one on Saturday, May 29th. Here's Tuesday's Slap Shots:

• I hate predictions, and my track record probably shows why. But I feel fairly confident in picking Chicago to win over Philadelphia. The Hawks have so much depth, so much speed, and are a team built for now. The Flyers have some very good forwards and a surprising goaltender, and they are a better team than their last minute entry into the playoffs indicates. Still the Flyers are this year's Cinderella, and history shows us the clock always strikes midnight on Cinderella.
• The key to the Hawks is their depth and their speed. Their speed is generated by their great breakout game out of their own zone. They hit the opposing blue line flying and have eaten up far better back lines than what Philadelphia can offer. Philly will have to clog up the neutral zone and force Chicago to look for new breakouts. That's far easier said than done - just ask Nashville, Vancouver and San Jose.
• I'm disappointed the NHL is waiting for Saturday to starting the series. That would place game 7 on June 11th, which is far too late to be playing hockey. Starting on Thursday May 27th only moves things up 2 days, but it lessens the wait. 
• By the way, all games start at 8pm EST/5pm PST. I'm glad to see no afternoon starts.
• Jonathan Toews vs. Mike Richards head to head should be a dandy. Canada's top two centers not named Crosby. 
• No one seems to like Chris Pronger, and I think his lack of speed will be exposed by the Hawks. But one guy who may finally meet his match in Pronger is Dustin Byfuglien. Chicago would be fine with that - let those two battle leaving Matt Carle to defend against Toews and Patrick Kane. Did I already mention Chicago has just too much depth?
• I should take this moment to thank the Montreal Canadiens for a memorable playoff run. Jaroslav Halak, Mike Cammalleri, and the entire Habs journeyman group of blue liners really impressed me. That said Scott Gomez and, surprising to me anyways, Tomas Plekanec needed to bring more to the table than they did.

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends

1966 Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens

The year is 1966. Ace defenseman Jean-Claude Tremblay is the key player as the Montreal Canadiens defend their Stanley Cup championship.

Tremblay leads all Canadiens players in point scored during these playoffs, tallying 11 points including 1 goal and 6 points in the finals against Detroit. His defensive effort was also supreme. He seemed to always be on the ice for the many crucial situations faced in a playoff game.

Despite his efforts and his team's Stanley Cup victory, Tremblay was not named as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP. That honour instead went to goalie Roger Crozier of the runner-up Red Wings. Tremblay was so slighted by the injustice that he reportedly smashed his fist against the dressing room wall and threw a tantrum, towels, sticks and whatever else he could find.

Crozier was amazing that spring, getting the surprising Red Wings into the finals. He actually got the Red Wings a 2-0 lead in the finals series but suffered a leg injury, forcing him to miss game three. Crozier would hobble back into the crease for games 4, 5 and 6, and play valiantly despite the obvious pain and discomfort. Though the Canadiens would take 4 straight to win the series 4-2, Crozier clearly earned admirers for his gutsy performance and was given the second annual Conn Smythe Trophy.

Bob Watt Passes Away At 82

Tom Hawthorn has a short obit of Bob Watt in the Globe and Mail today. Watt was a member of the famed Edmonton Mercurys team that won Olympic gold in 1952. Watt, 82, died back on May 11th.

Michel Mongeau Passes Away At 45

Michel Mongeau passed away this weekend. He was suffering from skin cancer. Survived by his wife and two children, he was just 45 years old.

Mongeau was a scoring machine almost everywhere he went. He is legendary in Quebec junior and the old IHL circles. In both leagues he is considered to be amongst the best to have ever played.

Despite his offensive prowress he was never drafted by the National Hockey League. It was not until his monstrous IHL campaigns that the St. Louis Blues gave him a look, even giving him a chance to play on a line with Brett Hull.

Ultimately Mongeau's stint in the NHL was too short, just like his life. You can read more about Mongeau's career and life here, including how he tried suing Chris Tamer after a terrible cross-checking incident.

Puck On The 'Net: Lindback's Split Second of Fame

Here's Monday's Slap Shots:

• Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks, who have advanced to the Stanley Cup finals by sweeping the San Jose Sharks. The Blackhawks look unstoppable right now. Only the curse of Marian Hossa stands in the way of their first Stanley Cup championship since 1961.
• Congratulations to the Czech Republic for knocking off Russia to capture the gold medal at the World Hockey Championships. And so ends a tough year for the Russians, especially coach Vyacheslav Bykov.
• Same could be said for Alexander Ovechkin. He needs to add some championships to his resume if he wants to continue to be considered as the game's best players. In many people's minds, mine included, Sidney Crosby definitively passed him in the past 12 months. 
• The silver medal was enough to give Russia top billing in the world rankings.
• Sweden defeated Germany to capture the bronze medal. Interestingly, the Swedes inserted back-up goaltender Anders Lindback in for the final 0.7 seconds of the game. It was his only action all tournament. 
• Congratulations also goes out to the Windsor Spitfires, who repeat as the Memorial Cup champions. Taylor Hall has certainly amassed a very impressive junior resume, hasn't he?

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends.

1965 Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens

The year is 1965. A familiar name is engraved on the Stanley Cup. The Montreal Canadiens barely knock off the Chicago Black Hawks in 7 games. But the names belonging to the Canadiens were in no way familiar to Stanley Cup lore.

While the likes of Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard were holdovers from the great Canadiens teams of the 1950s, the team was mostly made up of a new generation of stars. For thirteen members of the team, this was their first Stanley Cup.

The revamped Canadiens included the likes of John Ferguson, Bobby Rousseau, Yvan Cournoyer, Ralph Backstrom and J.C. Tremblay. The Habs also acquired veterans from other teams, like Gump Worsley and Dick Duff.

It was the classy Beliveau who led this squad. He scored 5 goals and 10 points in the finals alone, and finished second behind Bobby Hull in total playoff scoring. For his efforts Beliveau became the first ever recipient of the newly created Conn Smythe Trophy, introduced to honour the best player of the playoffs.

Though they had Beliveau, the Canadiens lacked the flashy superstar they had in the 1950s with Rocket Richard, and would have in the 1970s with Guy Lafleur. Without that superstar ingredient, this Habs team would never get the recognition of it's predecessors or successors, despite winning 5 of the 7 Stanley Cups from 1965 through 1971. They were forever dubbed as the "Quiet Dynasty."

Puck On The 'Net

Sunday's Slap Shots:

• Bobby Baun wants you to hear this.
• Georges Laraque vs. George St. Pierre, on the mat. Gee, I wonder who would win.
• Just terrible allegations against Mark Hardy
• Turk Broda could relate to this: Wendel Clark and the battle of the bulge.
• It's Russia vs. Czech Republic for the World Championship. If anyone cares.

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends.

2010 Hockey Books Offer Lots Of Promise

Let's face it, with a couple of exceptions, the 2009 class of hockey books was pedestrian at best. But an early look at the class of 2010 offers a promising season of browsing the bookstores.

I've spent quite a bit of time this weekend over at Hockey Book Reviews.com preparing for the 2010 hockey book season. I've got an early look at several books:

• The Hockey Book by Sports Illustrated
• Retired Numbers by Andrew Podnieks
• Hockey Superstitions by Andrew Podnieks
• Final Call by Kerry Fraser
• The Greatest Games by Todd Denault
• Reflections: Best of the Decade by NHL
• Hockey's Top 100: Games Greatest Goals by Weekes and Banks
• Gold Medal Diary by Hayley Wickenheiser

I also have recently reviewed a few older titles: Canada's Game by Andrew C. Holman, A Trail Less Travelled by Don Reddick, and Stole This From A Hockey Card by Chris Robinson.

1964 Stanley Cup - Toronto Maple Leafs

The year is 1964. The Stanley Cup championship is played under the slimmest of margins, as the two-time defending champion Toronto Maple Leafs edge Gordie Howe's Detroit Red Wings 4 games to 3.

Two games were decided in overtime, with the teams splitting decisions. Two other games were literally decided in the dying seconds of the game. Bob Pulford scored, shorthanded nonetheless, with just 2 seconds on the clock to give the Leafs a 3-2 win in game one. Alex Delvecchio answered back by winning game three for the Wings with just 17 seconds remaining.

Many wonder why Bob Pulford is in the Hockey Hall of Fame as a player. Well his 1964 playoff performance undoubtedly has a lot to do with it. The Pulford-Eddie Shack-Ron Stewart line held the vaunted Jean Beliveau - Boom Boom Geoffrion - John Ferguson line of the first place Canadiens to only three goals in seven games in round one. In round two he put an end to the brilliant scoring run by Norm Ullman of Detroit, whose line had four goals in the seven games against the Leafs. Pulford was the Leafs star in a 3-2 loss to Montreal, scoring both goals including one shorthanded. He was mentioned as one of the Leafs best players in three of the other games against Montreal for his hard checking and brilliant penalty-killing. In addition to his game one heroics he had two goals and one assist as Toronto won 4-3 in overtime in game six. He had his third short-handed marker in that one and set up the famous overtime marker to take game six.

The famous overtime goal Pulford set up was of course scored by Bobby Baun, with a broken leg nonetheless. In one of the most heroic moments in all of hockey history, Baun scored a goal with a cracked ankle. He had blocked a Delvecchio howitzer, instantly collapsing to the ice in immense pain. He had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher, but he came back in the game, and scored at 1:43 of extra time. He then refused to let doctors look at his foot, and returned for game 7.

Montreal's New Little Men Of Iron

Much has been made of the Montreal Canadiens' unexpected playoff run, especially about their diminutive size. They the Davids in a post-season maze through Goliaths. Les Habitants slayed the giants in Washington and Pittsburgh, and today they hope to equal their battle against the big bullies from Broad Street. They persevere, against long odds.

Maybe it's time Montrealers pull out an old nickname from long ago in their glorious hockey past. For the 2010 Canadiens are a lot like the early 1900s Montreal AAA - The Little Men Of Iron.

It was the Montreal Star's sports editor Peter Spanjaardt who coined the phrase. The team, already known by another popular nickname - the Winged Wheelers - were a tiny, plucky bunch, save for their 300lb goaltender, Billy Nicholson.

They were the speediest team on ice, led by 118 pound dynamo Dickie Boon (pictured), robust Jack Marshall and sharpshooter Archie Hooper.

These particular Montrealers twice won the Stanley Cup - in 1902 and again in 1903 - at the expense of the Winnipeg Victorias dynasty. The Vics were a big bruising team that had won the Cup in 1896, 1901 and 1902 and challenged unsuccessfully three other times before the turn of the century - losing each time to a team from Montreal.

The two series between the Westerners and the AAA were said to be very spirited, physical battles. The Winnipegers tried their best to use their size to their advantage, heavily bodychecking the Montrealers at every opportunity. But Montreal hit back, using the laws of physics to utilized their speed to increase the impact that their lack of size would not allow.

The first series, played in Winnipeg, was so anticipated that the game was "broadcast" by telegraph back to Montreal where anxious fans eagerly awaited each update. When the final whistle was blown Montreal hand hung on to a 2-1 lead and was declared the winner. The fans in Montreal became delirious.

Upon the team's return a crowd of well-wishers greeted the champions at Windsor Station. The plan was to pull the team by horse and sleigh back to the AAA complex. But the fans lets the horses loose so that they could pull their heroes home. The adulation continued, with three civic receptions and with each player being given diamond rings.

The celebration was somewhat surprising given that teams from Montreal had already won the Stanley Cup 9 times prior to the AAA championship of 1902. But for some reason these Little Men of Iron captured the imagination of the city.

Much like the Montreal Canadiens of 2010 are doing today.

1963 Stanley Cup - Toronto Maple Leafs

The year is 1963. It is the only year in NHL-controlled Stanley Cup history (1927 to present) that not a single playoff game went into overtime.

The Toronto Maple Leafs easily defend their crown as Stanley Cup champions. They posted the best regular season record and followed that up with an 8-2 playoff record, dusting off Montreal and then Detroit in the finals.

The Leafs were led by goaltender Johnny Bower, who put on the best goaltending display of his long career. Toronto were outshot in all but three of ten games, but Bower blocked 299/315 shots (94.9%) and was mentioned as a star in five of the ten playoff games. He had 32 and 35 saves in his shutouts over Montreal, the leagues highest scoring team.

Dave Keon paced Toronto scorers with 12 points, though Detroit's Gordie Howe and Norm Ullman tied for the league lead in scoring with 16.

This Toronto team included famed roughian Eddie Shack. If you ever met "The Entertainer" years later he would tell you the most fantastic stories of how he scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in 1963. While it is true he got that goal, it was a result of a point shot from Kent Douglas that deflected off of Shack and then Detroit defender Doug Barkley.

Despite the players' best efforts to establish their name with greatness, somehow Stanley Cup engravers screwed up and engraved on the Cup "Toronto Maple Leaes."

1962 Stanley Cup - Toronto Maple Leafs

The year is 1962. A new Leafs dynasty, this one of epic proportions, rises. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks 4 games to 2. The Leafs would win three Stanley Cup titles in succession, and four in six years.

The Leafs are led by their coach. Punch Imlach instituted a style of play that always has been the hallmark of champions. His game plan is nothing fancy, instead relying on good old determination, hard work and pride.

On the ice Toronto was led by the strapping superstar Frank Mahovlich. Though he and coach Imlach would have their differences, The Big M was essential to the Leafs dynasty. He scored 6 goals and 12 points, including 4 goals and 7 points in the finals against Chicago.

Defenseman Tim Horton was a standout as well. Never known as an offensive defenseman, Horton led all Toronto players in scoring in the spring of 1962, registering 16 points in 12 games. He assisted on the Stanley Cup winning goal by Dick Duff after a spectacular end-to-end rush.

Defenseman Bobby Baun matched up against Chicago's great winger Bobby Hull all series long. Dave Keon was a NHL All Star that season, and the ever popular Johnny Bower, the oldest player in the league, was great when he had to be.

An interesting aside about Leafs center Red Kelly: Kelly was a sitting MP in the House of Commons in Ottawa while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Though he never missed a game, he was unable to take part in Stanley Cup celebrations in Toronto as he had to get back to Ottawa on government business.

This was Toronto's first Stanley Cup title in 11 years. Adding to the legend of the victory was the finding of Bill Barilko's remains. Barilko famously scored the Stanley Cup winning goal back in 1951 for the Leafs, but then disappeared in a float plane crash in Ontario's remote north. With little luck since Barilko's death, a curse of sorts was spread when it was said that the Leafs would not win another Stanley Cup until Barilko was found and laid to rest. Weeks after the 1962 championship, the plane wreckage and remains were spotted.

Chicago wasted a truly great playoff performance by Stan Mikita. Mikita set a new record for points (21) and assists (15) in a playoff year. He had points in eleven straight playoff games. He also had two game winners and set up two other winners, along with scoring a short-handed tally.

Also, this was the year that a Montreal fan tried to steal the Stanley Cup from its glass display in Chicago Stadium. The thief almost reached the street before being stopped by a stadium police officer. According to legend the fan said "I was taking the Cup back to Montreal, where it belongs."

1961 Stanley Cup - Chicago Blackhawks

The year is 1961. After spending much of the previous decade as cellar dwellers, the Chicago Blackhawks emerge as Stanley Cup champions, knocking off Montreal in round one and Detroit in 6 games in the finals.

Everyone immediately thinks of Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Glenn Hall. But Pierre Pilote controlled the pace of play from the blue line, and Reggie Fleming scored the most pivotal goal of the finals.

Here is a great YouTube video on the 1961 championship:

Mikita Hated The Handshake, But Liked Champagne

The post-series hand-shake is one of my favorite quirks of Stanley Cup playoff competition. Not everyone is fan though, namely Stan Mikita. He had a different way of congratulating a victorious opposition:

"It has always bothered me to shake hands with the opposing players after losing a Stanley Cup series. I think it bothers most players, and they would rather not do it - at least not the minute after you've lost. You want to cool down. But you're expected to shake hands with a guy who is sipping his hand into your pocket to take your money. I can't be ready to break a stick over a man's head one minute and then shake his hand the next. My wife is always after me about good sportsmanship, to shake hands, but I'm not that way. I remember, after we beat Detroit, Gordie Howe came into our clubhouse and drank champagne with us. I thought that was a real good way of congratulating the opposing team, and that's the way I've done since."

Wow. So much for the players never socializing with each other back in the old days.

1960 Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens

The year is 1960. Many are already hailing the Montreal Canadiens as the greatest team of all time, a sentiment echoed by many to this day.

This year the Habs set two amazing records. Famously they captured their 5th consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Just as remarkable was the fact that this was Montreal's 10th consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup finals.

Here's a look at every member of the 1959-60 Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens:

Ralph Backstrom - Junior hockey's best player in the late 1950s could only become a third line center in Montreal, but he was still a special member of 6 Stanley Cup championships.

Marcel Bonin - "L'ours de Joliette" - "the bear of Joliette" - was the unexpected playoff hero in 1959

Boom Boom Geoffrion - Feared for his heavy shot, few players were as exciting and charismatic as Montreal's six time Stanley Cup champion.

Phil Goyette - Together with best friend Don Marshall, the talented Phil Goyette provided a good defensive conscious in Montreal and some offense in New York

	Doug Harvey - Considered by many to be the second greatest defenseman of all time, Harvey may have been the Habs most important cog.
	Bill Hicke - Bill Hicke was an outstanding junior and AHL player who was able to crack the Habs dynasty years just in time to win the 5th of 5 straight Stanley Cup championships in 1960.
	Charlie Hodge - Charlie Hodge had the unfortunate role of being number two goalie to the great Jacques Plante.
	Tom Johnson - A wily though sometimes dirty defender, opposing players certainly knew when Hall of Fame defenseman Tom Johnson was on the ice.

Junior Langlois - Albert "Junior" Langlois replaced Dollard St. Laurent on defense half way through the late 1950s dynasty.

Don Marshall - A great defensive player with Montreal in the 1950s, Marshall found his offensive game in New York in the 1960s.

Dickie Moore - One has to wonder had Moore's aggressive style not led to such severe injuries just how good Dickie Moore could have been. As it is, he is forever immortalized in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Jacques Plante - Best known for literally changing the face of hockey, Jake The Snake may be the greatest goalie of all time if not the most important.

Andre Pronovost - Andre Pronovost was a defensive forward extraordinaire in the late 1950s.

Claude Provost - Nine time Stanley Cup champion Claude Provost earned a reputation as the top defensive forward of two different Montreal Canadiens dynasties.

	Henri Richard - Despite capturing 11 Stanley Cups and being an all around better player and scoring more points, Henri Richard will always be Rocket's little brother.
	Maurice "Rocket" Richard - Montreal's incomparable Rocket Richard was far more than just a great hockey player - he represented all of Quebec.

	Jean Guy Talbot - A quietly efficient defenseman, Jean Guy Talbot was a nice piece of 7 Stanley Cup puzzles in Montreal.
	Bob Turner - The Regina native was quietly a part of all 5 Stanley Cup championships from 1956 through 1960.

Coach

Toe Blake - His image as arguably hockey's greatest coach completely overshadowed his Hall of Fame playing career..

Lucky Henri

Henri Richard always realized how fortunate he was to be a member of the Montreal Canadiens. But, in one way anyways, playing with his famous brother actually may have hurt him some.

"That 1960 team was the best I ever played on. We had a well balanced team - Plante in goal, Doug Harvey and Tom Johnson on defense, Geoffrion, my brother, Beliveau, Backstrom. We won in eight straight games.

"Geoffrion, Beliveau, and Olmstead were the scoring line. I played on the third line with Moore and my brother. As the center I was looking a little too much for Maurice, too much. Now I am always still looking for someone and that's why they say I don't shoot enough. Maurice was 15 years older than me . . . he never told me anything, never helped me . . . I was just playing with him.

"When I see my name on the Cup, I think of all those great players I had with me. I wouldn't have m name there if I didn't have all those big stars that played with the Canadiens over these years. The first five years I was in the league, we won five Stanley Cups. Obviously, that's not a personal record, it's a team record, a team I was just lucky enough to be on."

Plante Was Always Thrilled

Jacques Plante got used to winning pretty early in his career. But he tells us an old Habs great taught him long ago that every victory would be special in its own way:

"I was very fortunate. I was on six championship teams. But each time it was a different thrill. You never got tired of winning the Cup. Each time I would have paid money to win the Cup. I remember one year - in 1960 - when we were trying to win for the fifth straight time. We were ahed of Toronto three games to none. And in the fourth game we were ahead 3-0 in the third period. I kept thinking: Hey, they could score three goals, they could tie us and beat us back in Montreal and they could beat us in Toronto - they are always strong at home - and we're down to a seventh game. Until the bell rings you are never sure you have won the Cup.

"When I was young Sylvio Mantha, an old defenseman for the Canadiens, told me: 'I was on three championship teams and each time it was a different thrill.' I found out that was exactly so."

Puck On The 'Net: Conn Smythe Trophy Candidates

We're a few hours before puck drop on night 2 of round 3. Now's a good time to nominate the Conn Smythe Trophy candidates for each remaining team:

• Jaroslav Halak, Montreal - Mike Cammalleri is having a great post-season, too. But there can be no doubt that the Slovakian goaltender is the playoffs MVP so far.
• Jonathan Toews, Chicago - Antti Niemi has been very good in getting the job done in Chicago. But of all of Chicago's star players, it is Toews, the 2010 playoffs leading scorer, that has risen his game the most. 
• Joe Pavelski, San Jose - Where would the Sharks be without Little Joe? Time and again he has played spring hero out west.
• Mike Richards, Philadelphia - While Danny Briere has quietly had strong playoffs, leading the team in scoring, it is Richards who stirs the drink in Philly. His Time On Ice is huge (over 22 minutes as a forward), and always in key situations. 12 of Richards' 17 points have come on the road, too.

Here's some more Slap Shots from the World Championships in Germany:

• Over at the World Championships, Canada lost again, this time 3-2 to Czech Republic. This is turning into a bit of an embarrassment, although most Canadians don't care too much about the Worlds.
• It could be worse. Team USA's tournament is already over, and they finished 13th out of 16 teams. They were perilously close to a 15th or 16th place finish. Had they not beaten Italy in a shootout, they would have been relegated to the B Pool for next year. 
• I still think the future for USA hockey is brighter than ever. They will be serious contenders at every international tourney for years to come. The arriving generation is something special.
• Canada now has to play a revved up Russian team in a win or go home scenario. This will be like the Soviet Red Army vs. Father Bauer's or Dave King's national team. There's not much hope of actually winning this game for the Canadians. Russia has won 25 consecutive games at the Worlds.
• Mark Messier has called out his team, saying they need to play with more heart. As a Vancouver fan, I will always question the leadership role of Mark Messier no matter where he goes now, including here at the Worlds. 

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends.   

1959 Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens

The year is 1959. The Montreal Canadiens win their 4th consecutive Stanley Cup championship, the first team to accomplish that magnificent feat. The Canadiens knocked off the streaking Toronto Maple Leafs in five games.

Although Jean Beliveau, missed the finals with two cracked vertebrae, the Canadiens had plenty of fire power in the likes of Boom Boom Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Dickie Moore, Bert Olmstead, Jacques Plante, Henri Richard and of course Maurice "Rocket" Richard.
But the spring of 1959 was all about an unheralded left-winger named Marcel Bonin, who is better remembered for wrestling bears and refusing to score goals.

Marcel Bonin was a very solid player, but not a true front-liner. He was feisty and physical, good at retrieving pucks in corners and scrums. Though he never had dominating scoring statistics, he had decent enough hands to make a nice pass after securing the puck from a battle. He was very versatile, able to play either wing and a nice fit with several line combinations.

Bonin averaged about 15 goals a season, but he could have scored more. Interestingly, the following Bonin quote suggests he didn't really want to score more.

"I reached my yearly average. I scored 15 goals like in the previous years. If I score 19, they will expect 25 for next year. I don't want to get into that. So...for the next 7 or 8 games, I'll be the playmaker but you score the goals. It's over for me."

That definitely wasn't the case in the 1959 playoffs. The left-winger had the greatest moments of his career as he led the playoffs in goals with 10, four more than anyone else, in 11 games. Three of his goals were game winners. He scored 7 goals in the first round against Chicago and added another three, including the championship winning goal, in round two against Toronto.

Bonin had a reputation as a solid playoff performer, but his scoring outbreak was nothing short of incredible. Much like a modern day John Druce or Chris Kontos, Bonin's hot streak was a blip. Though he was a nice piece of 4 Stanley Cup championships, Marcel Bonin would only score 1 goal and 10 assists in 39 other career NHL playoff games.

Puck On The 'Net: Hawks, Flyers Game Up

Here's Monday's Slap Shots:

• I neglected to post my series predictions for the Conference Finals before games one. My usually horrendous record did not really play a role in that. Anyways, I picked Chicago and Montreal to meet in the Stanley Cup finals.
• Judging by game one my choice of Montreal is looking silly. Philadelphia was able to do what Ovechkin and Crosby could not do - solve Jaroslav Halak.
• I'm not too worried about Halak. He'll bounce back. The Habs coaching staff has shown great ability to adjust during these playoffs. I suspect this series will be a long one.
• I really like Chicago out west. I can't decide who to cheer for - Montreal because they are the Canadian team, or Chicago because Wade Flaherty is part of the coaching staff their. As a rookie goaltending consultant, what a great job he's done with super-rookie Antti Niemi. I'm cheering for him partly for selfish reasons though. If he finally gets his day with the Stanley Cup, I'm sure he'd bring it home to the banks of the Skeena River. It'd be nice to see the Stanley Cup in Terrace, BC twice within 12 months (Hockeyville 2009 was the other appearance).

Big Ice, Big Problem for Sochi?

Canada lost 3-1 to Sweden in the qualification round of the 2010 World Hockey Championships on Sunday. They're not out of medal contention yet, but suffice to say the loss doesn't help.

While these World Championships have been full of surprises, Canada has not had a great tournament. Disinterest from some absent big name players hasn't helped. What I wonder about is how big of an effect the big ice has had on Canada's performance, and how Canada can learn from this for the future, specifically for future Olympics.

International hockey uses an ice surface that is 15 feet wider than the standard NHL surface. While that does create for more room out there, the general result is a slower paced, less physical, possession game. The standard sized ice used in North America and the NHL was also used at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, one of the most entertaining tournaments in hockey history. Standard ice tends to encourage more physicality, which leads to more turnovers and therefore more scoring chances. Which is better is a matter of choice, though it is telling that most European players in the NHL prefer the smaller ice.

Canada (and USA) has traditionally had trouble adjusting to big ice tournaments. European players grow up playing the game on the bigger ice. Their readjustment back to big ice is generally seamless and therefore a decided advantage for those teams.

Canada's top players generally will get their first exposure to big ice at the World Junior level, with many later getting some more experience at the Worlds. While European players grow up playing the game this way, Canadians often have only a handful of game experience come Olympic time.This is a big reason why I believe the U20 World Junior tournament needs to return to Europe. Canada's future performances in international hockey and especially at the Olympics depends on it.

Yes, Canadians love the WJCs, and with sold out crowds and favorable television time slots, the revenues and profits are unmatchable anywhere in Europe. Canada has benefited beyond financially. For 2010 Olympic gold Canada leaned heavily on players from this era of WJC. And why not? Top young players with established chemistry who persevered under the immense pressure of sold out crowds and home town fans and media.

Including the next two WJCs, 7 out of 10 tournaments will have been held in Canada or in a US border city. That has developed a whole generation of Canadian success which culminated with the 2010 Olympic gold medal. Make no mistake, this was no accident. It was a brilliant long term plan envisioned by Bob Nicholson and the people at Hockey Canada.

Going forward, Canada needs to develop players who are able to perform in hostile environments and, perhaps more importantly, big ice. The Olympics won't be held in North America again for the immediate generation of players. When Canada selects the 2014 Olympic team in Sochi, how many players will have played meaningful games on big ice? Especially together, with proven chemistry? Going with an older generation of players, Canada's failure to adapt to big ice was a story in the 2006 Torino games. Will it be a concerning headline for the next generation of Olympic heroes?

Hockey Canada might be better off to not hog the WJCs every other year or even more often. Future Olympic success may depend on it.

Home Ice Advantage

An interesting story this post-season has been that the road teams have fared very well. Home ice is supposed to be a big advantage. But the road team has won slightly more than half of the games so far, and a perfect 4-0 record in game 7s.

Here's Gump Worsley's input on home ice advantage and how playing well on the road is a trait of a superstar hockey player:

"Home ice is an advantage in the playoffs, no doubt about it. Four of the seven games are going to be played on your ice - that's a real advantage. It really helps in the playoffs. People say, 'No, you should be able to play as good away as you do at home.' That's bull. Some guys do. But if you take the majority, you look at any hockey club, most of them always play better at home.

"I'm talking about the average hockey player. Which you have a lot of on hockey clubs. But the superstars, they play good all over the place. You can go see a Bobby Orr in Philadelphia or Chicago, he plays just as well as in Boston. But then you see another guy who plays well at home, you see him a couple of games on the road, he's just a so-so hockey player. He loses that category of superstar because he doesn't play as well on the road. Whether that guy just gets livened up by his own home crowd and he needs that for a push, or what, I just don't know.

"But that is the difference between an average player and a superstar - playing the same all around the league. Why? That's a good question. But I'll say this: I read where Ed Snider, who owns the Philadelphia club, said that Rick MacLeish plays better at home than on the road. Why would you make a statement like that about your own hockey player? It doesn't do anything for a hockey player. You should boost him up. But I'll tell you this: If I could find a solution for why  most guys don't play as good on the road, I'd be coaching probably. Or I'd just tell them what to do and take the million-dollar check."

1958 Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens

The year is 1958. Led by the usual cast of Jean Beliveau, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Dickie Moore, Bert Olmstead, Jacques Plante, Henri Richard and of course Maurice "Rocket" Richard, the Montreal Canadiens are heavy favorites to capture their third consecutive Stanley Cup championship.

The no-name Boston Bruins, featuring relative NHL newcomers Bronco Horvath and Johnny Bucyk, stand in the Canadiens way. The Bruins were easily dismissed as Cup challengers the previous year, but in 1958 they gave Montreal all they could handle. The two teams split the first four games, with Montreal escaping the pivotal fifth game with an overtime tally courtesy of Rocket Richard.

The Canadiens would wrap up the title in game 6 in Boston, the first time the Habs had won the Cup on the road. The Bruins fans booed so mercilessly that the league's board of governors had a debate about the future of the Stanley Cup's on-ice presentation.

Puck On The 'Net: Meanwhile, Over In Mannheim

North American hockey fans are all consumed with the NHL playoffs, but the World Hockey Championships are also going on in Germany. The World Championships have always been a bit of a farce and is considered by many to be a 2nd tier international tournament, and that is reflected by the significant amount of talent that turned down a chance to play for Canada.. That combined with the time zone differences and the presence of the NHL playoffs, North Americans have a tendency not to pay a whole lot of attention.

But there have been some interesting goings on over in Germany. Here's a few Slap Shots on the 'Net:

• Denmark beat Slovakia 6-0. They also beat Finland 4-1 and USA 2-1. Honest, it's true! And mindboggling. Peter Regen is Denmark's Gretzky.
• Perhaps even more earth shattering - The United States are now playing in the relegation round.
• It is the year of the upset at the Worlds. Germany beat USA 2-1 (in front of nearly 80,000 spectators), Norway beat the Czech Republic 3-2, and Switzerland beat Canada 4-1.
• Jordan Eberle continues to make his case to be included in the next edition of Legends of Team Canada.
• All Canadian games as well as all semi-final and medal games will be broadcast on TSN. Check here for broadcast schedules.
• Canada's games are also archived on TSN and are free to view.

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends.  

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Phil Goyette On The Rocket

What Phil Goyette accomplished in 1957 was nothing short of amazing. He was able to crack the Montreal Canadiens line-up, in the midst of their greatest dynasty, as a rookie. He made quite an impression, too, and he owed it all to one man.

Here's Phil Goyette's commentary from John Devaney and Burt Goldblatt's 1975 book "The Stanley Cup."

"Someone got hurt and they brought me up from the farm club for the last portion of the season. I got a five game tryout and I stayed with the club. To stay with the team they had in those days was quite a thrill. In the playoffs I got more ice time than I did during the season. They used to put me on and I did well, production wise and defensively, and everything went so well, they didn't take me off. I always had good playoff years.

"What helped me was playing with the Rocket. He was quiet, didn't say  much, but you could feel the tension inside him. You always had the feeling he would score the big goal for us. But we didn't rely on him. Often you yourself would get the big goal, or someone else would. That was because you were working twice as hard just to keep up with the Rocket. I think that's one reason why I got so many big goals for us in the playoffs. It was because of the Rocket."

1957 Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens

The year is 1957. The Montreal Canadiens win their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship and seventh in franchise history. Interestingly, all seven titles were finalized on home ice, spoiling the great fans of hockey's top city.

Montreal did not have to defend their title against their old nemesis, because the Boston Bruins upset the Detroit Red Wings in the semi-finals. Montreal knocked off the New York Rangers.

Anyone with a little sense of history about the Bruins-Canadiens rivalry knows the lopsidedness in which Montreal dominates Boston. 1957 was no different, as the Habs dusted their hands of the Bruins in 5 games.

Boom Boom Geoffrion leads the way with 4 goals and 6 points in the 5 game series. He led all playoff scorers in a total of 11 goals and 18 points. Three of his goals were game winners, while three of his assists set up three more game winners.

Maurice "Rocket" Richard scored 4 goals in the finals. Despite having bone chips removed from his elbow early in the season, Richard had another incredible season.

Jacques Plante led the defense, with a puny 1.00 GAA in the finals against the Bruins.

Puck On The 'Net: Flyers Make History

The odds were longer than long. Only 3 teams in major league sports history have ever done it. The Philadelphia Flyers were trying to win a best of seven series after losing the first three games. Win 4 consecutive elimination games. They had to do it while using three different goaltenders. On top of it all, spotting the Boston Bruins a 3-0 lead early in game 7. Unbelievable!

Here's Saturday's Slap Shots:

• 286 combined times in Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association and NHL history has a best of seven series seen one team grab a 3-0 series lead. Only the 1942 Leafs (in the Stanley Cup final, nonetheless!), 1975 Islanders and 2004 Red Sox havecome from behind previously. 
• I almost feel sorry for the Boston Bruins. They just couldn't find any offense. They needed Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall now, not on draft day. Very few Bruins players impressed me in game 7. Just Milan Lucic come to think of it.
• It was great to see Simon Gagne get the winning goal. He's such a great player who unfortunately has had serious bad luck with the injuries. 
• The Flyers now meet the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference finals. Here's some more history - this will be the first time the 7th and 8th seeds have met in a Conference finals.
• Normally I would point out how I was one of the few who predicted Philadelphia would beat Boston in round 2. But since that was the only series I got right, I'll just let it slide this time. 

As always, join me for more thoughts and conversation on Twitter @HockeyLegends.  

1956 Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens

The year is 1956. The usual 1950s Stanley Cup clash of the titans resumes, as the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings meet in the finals for the third consecutive year and 4th time in 5 years.

Detroit has had the upper hand, winning 3 of the previous 4 championships. But the Red Wings dynasty is about usurped by what many historians insist is the greatest team in the history of hockey.

The evidence is convincing. Montreal would knock off Detroit in 5 games in 1956, then go on an unmatched 5 year reign as Stanley Cup champion.

The core of those teams were all in place in 1956: Jean Beliveau. Boom Boom Geoffrion. Doug Harvey. Tom Johnson. Dickie Moore. Bert Olmstead. Jacques Plante. Henri Richard. Maurice "Rocket" Richard.