1954-55
One of the cool things about being a sports fan is once in a while you will see the game evolve based on one or two players.
Bobby Orr and Eddie Shore changed the position of defense. Wayne Gretzky changed puck pursuit. Connor McDavid bought whining to a whole new level.
We rarely talk about goalies as generational players. I mean frankly they are never in the discussion. But the the 50's, the NHL gave witness to two players that should be recognized as generational. Terry Sawchuk came in and dominated the league for years. Jacque Plante was generational for a different reason, I would argue that he was mentally generational. He evolved the game, go on buy his book, its not an autobiography but gives keen insight to how he thought the game and in his career how much he changed the position. This wouldn't occur again until Tony Esposito joined the NHL.
Now Plante was a unique individual, in his spare time he loved to knit wool caps. He was cocky and had a bizarre style of play that made it hard for shooters to figure things out. But Jacques Plante became the first goalie to leave the crease and chase down the puck, because in his mind it made it easier on his defence. He was the first goalie to head behind the net on shoot ins.
Purists hated him because he disrupted how teams played offensively.
Plante introduced this in 1953 as a rookie, he was battling Gerry McNeil for the starting position, and in the semifinals Dick Irwin took the risk and put Plante in.
Montreal came back from a 3-2 deficit to the Hawks, and then mowed down the Bruins in the finals on the back of Plante's 1.75 gaa.
In 1953-54, Plante remained a back up, but it was clear that when he took the net his antics and puck retrieval bothered other teams who wanted rules put in to keep the goalies in their creases.
When Gerry McNeil finally retired Plante became the starter and by 1955-56 he was considered to be the best goalie in the game and he remained that way for more then 5 seasons.
Lets be clear the Canadians were an excellent hockey team, but with Plante's goaltending they finished 24 points ahead of the 2nd place Bruins with a 45-15-10 record. Plante won his first of his 5 straight Vezina Trophies.
The Habs then cake walked past the Rangers and then the Bruins wining 8 games and losing 2, while Plante posted a 1.80 gaa.
Because of that, other goalies began to emulate Plante's wandering ways changing the NHL forever.
Then in 1959 after suffering a brutal cut, Jacque Plante donned a mask and made it part of his standard equipment. And the the goalies and league followed him.
Trivia
- With Montreal scoring 2 or 3 goals per power play, Clarence Campbell proposes a rule where a penalized player returns to the ice after a goal is scored. Only Montreal votes against he rule change. Maurice Richard hen punches out Campbell (That didn't happen).
- On June 3 the Wings and Bruins engage in a mega trade. Detroit sends Terry Sawchuk, Vic Stasiuk, Marcel Bonin and Lorne Davis to the Bruins for Gilles Boisvert, Real Chevrefils, Norm Corconran, Warren Godfrey and Ed Sandford.
- The Wings trade Tong LEswich, Glen Skov, Johnny Wilsona and Benny Woit to Chicago for Dave Creighton, Bucky Hollingworth and Jerry Toppazzini.
- The Wings trade Real Chevrefils and Jerry Toppazzini to Boston for Murray Costello and Lorne Ferguson.
- On Aug 18th Detroit trades Dave Chreighton and Bronco Horvath to New York for Billy Dra and Aggie Kukulowicz
- Eight games into the season Detroit reacquires Metro Pystai from Chicago for Ed Sandford.
- Dick Irvin leaves the Habs after 15 years to rebuild the Hawks. Toe Blake takes over behind the bench in Montreal.
- The Rangers promote Muzz Patrick to the GM spot and hire Phil Watson as their head coach.
- Detroit's 7 year streak of first place ends as they finish 2nd to the Habs.
- Jean Beliveau leads the league in goals with 47 and points with 88.
- Jacques Plante leads all goalies with 42 wins and a 1.86 gaa.
- Terry Sawchuk struggles with Boston leading the league in losses.
- Detroit rookie Glenn Hall posts 12 shutouts.
- Henri Richard joins his brother in Montreal and gains the nickname "Pocket Rocket", millions of Canadians snicker at the nickname.
- The Rangers end their playoff drought with a 3rd place finish. They are lead by sophomore defenseman Lou Fontinato who takes the penalty crown with 202 minutes in penalties.
- The playoffs feature the Habs taking on the Rangers and Detroit against Toronto.
- Montreal crushes the Rangers in 5 games outscoring then 24-9.
- The Red Wings dispatch the Leafs in 5 games.
- The finals match up the Wings and Canadians for the 4th time in 5 years. But its not close as the Habs clinch the cup in game 5.
- Jean Beliveau wins the Hart Trophy.
- Jaques Plante wins the Vezina Trophy.
- Dutch Reibel of the Wings wins the Lady Byng.
- Detroit goalie Glenn Hall wins the Calder.
- Canadians' Doug Harvey wins his 2nd Norris Trophy.
- The Toronto Marlboros win their second straight Memorial Cup and celebrate with a road trip to flavor country.
- In a massive upset the Soviets win their first Olympic Gold Medal in their first appearance in the Olympics starting a long period of dominance. The Untied States finished 2nd and Canada third. Probably prompting a House of Common's investigation.
- Michigan wins its 6th NCAA title beating Michigan Tech in the finals.
Debuts
Last games