Great Moments In Hockey History: Bill Barilko Scores

April 21st, 1951. The tragic Bill Barilko story is about the take place.

The Montreal Canadiens and Barilko's Toronto Maple Leafs are meeting in the Stanley Cup finals, for only the second time in history. The Canadiens pulled off an upset against mighty Detroit to play for the Cup.

The two Canadian teams combined for one of the most dramatic Stanley Cup finals in history. Every game went into overtime. Every game had a hero.

The teams split overtime wins in the first two games played in Toronto. Improbably Toronto would sweep the Canadiens in Montreal in games 3 and 4. Though both were tight and in overtime, somehow Toronto gained a stranglehold on the series that was not truly indicative of the parity between each team.

Toronto had a chance to win the Cup in game 5 on home ice. But it would not be easy. Montreal led 2-1 late in the game. With the goalie pulled and with just 32 seconds left in the game, Tod Sloan, who was every bit a hero in this series as anyone, miraculously scored to once again send the two teams into overtime.

This overtime would not last long. At 2:53 of the first overtime, Bill Barilko sneaks into the slot and one times a shot into the net past Montreal goalie Gerry McNeil. Bill Barilko shot the puck as hard as he could, so hard that he fell forward as the puck sailed into the net. The Leafs had won another Stanley Cup.

Tragically, Bill Barilko would never score another goal. With a real promising career ahead of the 24 year old, he would die in a float plane crash that summer. His body and the wreckage would not be found for 11 years.

Hockey Went Hollywood Back In 1927

The pretty young lady in this photo is Vera Ellen. This Hollywood star was best known for her dancing work in musical movies, starring opposite of the likes of Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and the Marx Brothers. Modern audiences may only recognize her for her supporting role in the holiday classic White Christmas. While Bing Crosby is smitten with Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye tries getting Ms. Ellen, playing the role of Judy, under the mistletoe.

The hockey player in the photo is Bill Barilko. Yes, that Bill Barilko. The same Bill Barilko that famously scored the Stanley Cup winning goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1951, only then to disappear in a plane crash weeks later.

Bashin' Bill came out of northern Ontario in 1945 to play for the Leafs minor league team in Hollywood of all places. The Hollywood Wolves, playing out of the Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles, were a short-lived hockey team in the Pacific Coast Hockey League. They lasted just three seasons, from 1944 through 1947, with Barilko playing most of the final two seasons in LA before being called up to the Leafs. Kevin Shea dedicates a whole chapter on this Hollywood adventure in his biography Barilko: Without A Trace.

The Wolves' California based opponents included the Oakland Oaks, San Diego Skyhawks, Los Angeles Monarchs, Pasadena Panthers and San Francisco Shamrocks. The Vancouver Canucks were also in this league, as well as teams from Seattle, Portland and New Westminster. The PCHL and hockey in California was all introduced by a pair of visionary brothers - Phil and Cliff Henderson.

Other notables to play for the Hollywood Wolves were all veterans near the end of their careers - Ching Johnson, Jack Keating, Eric "Doc" Prentice, Bob Gracie (who also coached) and former Hart Trophy winner Cowboy Tom Anderson. Vera Ellen, by the way, was the team's "mascot."

How the team got the nickname Wolves is a mystery. You'd think the marketing department would have pushed for Dreamers or something.

Professional hockey in "Hollywood" actually dates back to 1927 when a team called the the Millionaires played in the California Hockey League. Over the years teams called the Stars and Bears would also play in various low level leagues.

The California Hockey League iced teams from Los Angeles (Maroons, Richfields, Millionaires and Angels), Oakland (Shieks and Checkers), Richfield (Oilers) and San Francisco (Seals, Blackhawks, Tigers, Rangers). That league would last just 5 years.

This Date In Stanley Cup History

April 21, 1951 • Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bill Barilko scored the Cup-winning goal at 2:53 of overtime to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game Five of the 1951 Final. It was the only Stanley Cup series in which every game had ended in overtime. Toronto’s Sid Smith, Ted Kennedy, Harry Watson, Barilko and Montreal’s Maurice “Rocket” Richard each netted overtime winners during the five-game matchup.

Barilko died in an off-season plane crash in the summer of 1951, though his remains would not be discovered until 1962.

1951 Stanley Cup - Toronto Maple Leafs

The year is 1951. The tragic Bill Barilko story is about the take place.

The Montreal Canadiens and Barilko's Toronto Maple Leafs are meeting in the Stanley Cup finals, for only the second time in history. The Canadiens pulled off an upset against mighty Detroit to play for the Cup.

The two Canadian teams combined for one of the most dramatic Stanley Cup finals in history. Every game went into overtime. Every game had a hero.

The teams split overtime wins in the first two games played in Toronto. Improbably Toronto would sweep the Canadiens in Montreal in games 3 and 4. Though both were tight and in overtime, somehow Toronto gained a stranglehold on the series that was not truly indicative of the parity between each team.

Toronto had a chance to win the Cup in game 5 on home ice. But it would not be easy. Montreal led 2-1 late in the game. With the goalie pulled and with just 32 seconds left in the game, Tod Sloan, who was every bit a hero in this series as anyone, miraculously scored to once again send the two teams into overtime.

This overtime would not last long. At 2:53 of the first overtime, Bill Barilko sneaks into the slot and one times a shot into the net past Montreal goalie Gerry McNeil. Bill Barilko shot the puck as hard as he could, so hard that he fell forward as the puck sailed into the net. The Leafs had won another Stanley Cup.

Tragically, Bill Barilko would never score another goal. With a real promising career ahead of the 24 year old, he would die in a float plane crash that summer. His body and the wreckage would not be found for 11 years.

Greatest Photos In Hockey History #12 Bill Barilko's Last Goal

In the 1951 finals, the Leafs were facing their eternal rivals the Montreal Canadiens, and with this goal pictured above Bill Barilko became the unlikely hero.

Toronto scored with just 32 second left to force game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals into overtime. Toronto led the series 3 games to 1, and were looking to clinch the championship.

At 2:53 of the first overtime period, Barilko became a national hero. He hadn't recorded a single point in the series prior to then, but he fired a desperation shot as he crossed the blue line. He had so much effort into his shot he actually fell forward to ice after releasing the puck. The puck somehow found its way past Montreal goalie Gerry McNeil, and the Cup was Toronto's. Barilko was the unlikely hero who won the Cup.

Unfortunately Barilko didn't get to enjoy the Cup victory or his new national hero status for very long. During the off-season he and friend Dr. Henry Hudson flew to northern Ontario on a fishing trip. The plane crashed and the wreckage wasn't found for 15 years. In the wreckage of that plane lies the legend of Bill Barilko.

1962: A New Leafs Dynasty Born Out Of The Ashes Of The Last One

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."

1951: Barilko Scores

The year is 1951. The tragic Bill Barilko story is about the take place.

The Montreal Canadiens and Barilko's Toronto Maple Leafs are meeting in the Stanley Cup finals, for only the second time in history. The Canadiens pulled off an upset against mighty Detroit to play for the Cup.

The two Canadian teams combined for one of the most dramatic Stanley Cup finals in history. Every game went into overtime. Every game had a hero.

The teams split overtime wins in the first two games played in Toronto. Improbably Toronto would sweep the Canadiens in Montreal in games 3 and 4. Though both were tight and in overtime, somehow Toronto gained a stranglehold on the series that was not truly indicative of the parity between each team.

Toronto had a chance to win the Cup in game 5 on home ice. But it would not be easy. Montreal led 2-1 late in the game. With the goalie pulled and with just 32 seconds left in the game, Tod Sloan, who was every bit a hero in this series as anyone, miraculously scored to once again send the two teams into overtime.

This overtime would not last long. At 2:53 of the first overtime, Bill Barilko sneaks into the slot and one times a shot into the net past Montreal goalie Gerry McNeil. Bill Barilko shot the puck as hard as he could, so hard that he fell forward as the puck sailed into the net. The Leafs had won another Stanley Cup.

Tragically, Bill Barilko would never score another goal. With a real promising career ahead of the 24 year old, he would die in a float plane crash that summer. His body and the wreckage would not be found for 11 years.