Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - NHL history in a 127 years of bite sized pieces.

CaptainCrunch · 03-26-2024, 08:27 PM

1953-54

The two best teams in the NHL were the Canadians and the Red Wings, it was getting to be old hat. the Red Wings were cruising towards their 6th straight first place finish, but the Habs were right behind them. Most fans felt in their bones that they were looking at a Red Wings vs Habs Stanley Cup matchup.

The Habs were on the verge of greatness, Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion had won the Calder Trophy two years ago, and he had gained his name through the mastery of the newest fan in the NHL which was the slap shot. Rookie Jean Beliveau had joined the team after a long contract negotiation. Dickie Moore was becoming the best Left Winger in the NHL, and Maurice Richard had never looked better.

Bealiveau was a different type of player, he looked effortless when he was going full speed, but unlike his linemates Moore and Richard, Bealiveau was a gentleman and because of that he became the target of every player in the NHL to the point that he missed 26 games of his rookie season due to injury.

Of course the Red Wings were still the most stacked team in the NHL. Red Kelly became the first defenseman to win the Norris Trophy, and he also took home the Lady Byng. Gordie Howe was still a beast in his prime leading the NHL in scoring for the fourth straight year, so its no surprise that the Wings won the regular season title again with 88 points 7 points clear of the second place Canadians.

As expected there was a Habs-Wings final. The Wings beat the Leafs in 5 games, while the Habs turfed the Bruins in 4 games leading to Boston's only ever GM Art Ross to retire so Lynn Patrick could take his place.

In the finals Montreal's coach Dick Irwin decided to go with young goalie Jacques Plante, but the move backfired as the Wings roared out to a 3-1 lead. Irwin made a goalie switch starting Gerry McNeil and the Habs roared back to tie the series at 3 games a apiece on the back of a 1-0 and a 4-1 win.

Game 7 was a barn burner between two evenly matched team and the game went into overtime tied at 1 apiece.

Remember the old saying you have to be good to be lucky and lucky to be good. We know the Red Wings were good, but in overtime they got lucky. Tony Leswick entered the Habs zone and released a long slow and fluttering shot that should have been easy for McNeil to catch, but Doug Harvey who was also a top baseball player decided to reach out and deflect the puck into the corner. Harvey only got a piece of the puck, and it took a sharp right turn off of his glove and past McNeil at 4:29 of the first overtime. A fluke goal had given the Wings their 3rd Stanley Cup in 5 years.

Trivia

A new award is established named after the former owner of the Red Wings Jame Norris.
The NHL intraleague draft is revamped allowing teams to protect 20 instead of 30 players with the claiming price reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 per player.
Denis Potvin is born on Oct 29 in Ottawa Ontario. He promptly hip checks an intern out of the hospital room and into row three of the waiting room.
The Rangers make several roster moves including demoting last years Calder Trophy winner to the minors and replacing him with career minor leaguer Johnny Bower.
Frank Boucher signs Max Bentley.
The Rangers sign 135 pond left winger Camille Henry to an NHL contract.
The Rangers win their 6th straight league title.
Harry Lumley of the Leafs leads all goalies with a 1.86 gaa with 13 shutouts.
The Black Hawks finish in the basement again, rumors swril that the Hawks are going to fold. The Rangers miss the playoffs for the 5th time in 6 season.
Gordie Howe captures a fourth straight scoring title with 81 points.
Maurice leads the league in goals with 37.
On Oct 5th Detroit rookie scores 4 assists in his debut game setting an NHL record.
On Oct 9th, Montreal's Bert Olmstead scores 8 points in a game including 4 goals against the Wings.
On New Years day the Rangers convince Doug Bentley into joining his brother Max in a comeback attempt, he scores in his first game as a Ranger.
Detroit whips the Leafs in 5 games in their semi final series.
The Habs crush Detroit in 4 games.
In the finals the Red Wings leap towards a 3-1 series league, but the Habs bounce back to tie the series.
In game 7, the game goes into extra time knotted at one before Tony Leswick ends the series when Doug Harvey tips the puck into his own net.
Even though Chicago was terrible and gave up 60 more goals then any other team, the NHL awards Al Rollins with the Hart Trophy.
Detroits Red Kelly wins his third Lady Byng trophy and takes home the first Norris Trophy.
Toronto Goalie Harry Lumley wins the Vezina trophy
Emile "The Eel" Henry scores 24 goals and wins the Calder Trophy.
Rennsselaer Politechnic Institute wins the NCAA championship beating Minnesota 5-4 in overtime.
The Soviet Union wins its first World Championship.

Debut

Doug Mohns, Boston Bruins

Earl Reibel, Detroit Red Wings
Camille Henry, New York Rangers
Johnny Bower, New York Rangers

Last Game

Woody Dumart, Boston Bruins
George Gee, Chicago Black Hawks
Jack Gelineau, Chicago Black Hawks
Sid Abel, Chicago Black Hawks
Jim McFadden, Chicago Black Hawks
Elmer Lach, Montreal Canadiens
Gaye Stewart, Montreal Canadiens
Doug Bentley, New York Rangers
Max Bentley, New York Rangers
Leo Reise, New York Rangers
Howie Meeker, Toronto Maple Leafs

03-26-2024, 08:27 PM	#128
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1953-54 The two best teams in the NHL were the Canadians and the Red Wings, it was getting to be old hat. the Red Wings were cruising towards their 6th straight first place finish, but the Habs were right behind them. Most fans felt in their bones that they were looking at a Red Wings vs Habs Stanley Cup matchup. The Habs were on the verge of greatness, Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion had won the Calder Trophy two years ago, and he had gained his name through the mastery of the newest fan in the NHL which was the slap shot. Rookie Jean Beliveau had joined the team after a long contract negotiation. Dickie Moore was becoming the best Left Winger in the NHL, and Maurice Richard had never looked better. Bealiveau was a different type of player, he looked effortless when he was going full speed, but unlike his linemates Moore and Richard, Bealiveau was a gentleman and because of that he became the target of every player in the NHL to the point that he missed 26 games of his rookie season due to injury. Of course the Red Wings were still the most stacked team in the NHL. Red Kelly became the first defenseman to win the Norris Trophy, and he also took home the Lady Byng. Gordie Howe was still a beast in his prime leading the NHL in scoring for the fourth straight year, so its no surprise that the Wings won the regular season title again with 88 points 7 points clear of the second place Canadians. As expected there was a Habs-Wings final. The Wings beat the Leafs in 5 games, while the Habs turfed the Bruins in 4 games leading to Boston's only ever GM Art Ross to retire so Lynn Patrick could take his place. In the finals Montreal's coach Dick Irwin decided to go with young goalie Jacques Plante, but the move backfired as the Wings roared out to a 3-1 lead. Irwin made a goalie switch starting Gerry McNeil and the Habs roared back to tie the series at 3 games a apiece on the back of a 1-0 and a 4-1 win. Game 7 was a barn burner between two evenly matched team and the game went into overtime tied at 1 apiece. Remember the old saying you have to be good to be lucky and lucky to be good. We know the Red Wings were good, but in overtime they got lucky. Tony Leswick entered the Habs zone and released a long slow and fluttering shot that should have been easy for McNeil to catch, but Doug Harvey who was also a top baseball player decided to reach out and deflect the puck into the corner. Harvey only got a piece of the puck, and it took a sharp right turn off of his glove and past McNeil at 4:29 of the first overtime. A fluke goal had given the Wings their 3rd Stanley Cup in 5 years. Trivia A new award is established named after the former owner of the Red Wings Jame Norris. The NHL intraleague draft is revamped allowing teams to protect 20 instead of 30 players with the claiming price reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 per player. Denis Potvin is born on Oct 29 in Ottawa Ontario. He promptly hip checks an intern out of the hospital room and into row three of the waiting room. The Rangers make several roster moves including demoting last years Calder Trophy winner to the minors and replacing him with career minor leaguer Johnny Bower. Frank Boucher signs Max Bentley. The Rangers sign 135 pond left winger Camille Henry to an NHL contract. The Rangers win their 6th straight league title. Harry Lumley of the Leafs leads all goalies with a 1.86 gaa with 13 shutouts. The Black Hawks finish in the basement again, rumors swril that the Hawks are going to fold. The Rangers miss the playoffs for the 5th time in 6 season. Gordie Howe captures a fourth straight scoring title with 81 points. Maurice leads the league in goals with 37. On Oct 5th Detroit rookie scores 4 assists in his debut game setting an NHL record. On Oct 9th, Montreal's Bert Olmstead scores 8 points in a game including 4 goals against the Wings. On New Years day the Rangers convince Doug Bentley into joining his brother Max in a comeback attempt, he scores in his first game as a Ranger. Detroit whips the Leafs in 5 games in their semi final series. The Habs crush Detroit in 4 games. In the finals the Red Wings leap towards a 3-1 series league, but the Habs bounce back to tie the series. In game 7, the game goes into extra time knotted at one before Tony Leswick ends the series when Doug Harvey tips the puck into his own net. Even though Chicago was terrible and gave up 60 more goals then any other team, the NHL awards Al Rollins with the Hart Trophy. Detroits Red Kelly wins his third Lady Byng trophy and takes home the first Norris Trophy. Toronto Goalie Harry Lumley wins the Vezina trophy Emile "The Eel" Henry scores 24 goals and wins the Calder Trophy. Rennsselaer Politechnic Institute wins the NCAA championship beating Minnesota 5-4 in overtime. The Soviet Union wins its first World Championship. Debut Doug Mohns, Boston Bruins Earl Reibel, Detroit Red Wings Camille Henry, New York Rangers Johnny Bower, New York Rangers Last Game Woody Dumart, Boston Bruins George Gee, Chicago Black Hawks Jack Gelineau, Chicago Black Hawks Sid Abel, Chicago Black Hawks Jim McFadden, Chicago Black Hawks Elmer Lach, Montreal Canadiens Gaye Stewart, Montreal Canadiens Doug Bentley, New York Rangers Max Bentley, New York Rangers Leo Reise, New York Rangers Howie Meeker, Toronto Maple Leafs __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!