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CaptainCrunch · 03-10-2024, 06:31 PM

1943-44

They were the Punch Line, a term used to define the end point of a joke, but frankly they were no joke and as serious as a heart attack to the rest of the league. Made of of Elmer Lach, Toe Blake and Maurice Richard, they were the impossible line to defend against. In the mid 40's the Canadians were about to go on a legendary run.

Because of his flashiness and skill most eye's focused on Maurice Richard, the rocket. But Blake was really the lines driver.

They were first bought together in the 1942-43 season when Dick Irvin realized that the mercurial and emotional Richard needed a stabilizing force on the ice and Elmer Lach a hardnosed and skilled center who was even keeled was a good match, Toe Blake fell into the other spot and the line clicked.

The thing though was that this team was incredibly deep anyways, and the Punch Line made the team more frightening. The Canadians had a stellar defense and were backed by rookie Bill Durnan in net. By the half way point of the season they were 20-2-3 and 13 points ahead of the second place Leafs.

Montreal finished the season with 5 wins and went into the playoffs on a high. In their first round matchup against the Leafs they were shocked in game 1 when the Leafs beat them 3-1 but that only served as a wake up call. The Rocket scored all 5 Montreal goals in game 2 and beat the Leafs in 5 games destroying the Leafs 11-0 to move onto the finals.

In the finals they faced the Black Hawks and destroyed them in 4 games with Richard leading the way.

Things would be no different next season.

Trivia

The Modern age of hockey begins as the NHL adds the center ice red line to speed up the game and reduce offsides.
The delayed penalty is introduced.
While many teams were weakened by the war effort the Canadians were strengthened as their players didn't rush to join the war effort.
The Habs are dominant, they finish with a 38-5-7 and score the most goals with 234 goals and allow the least with 109.
In his first full NHL season Maurice Richard scores 32 goals.
The Rangers finish in last place with a 6-39-5 record.
Rangers coach Frank Boucher attempts a comeback due to the Rangers thin roster, he plays 15 games and puts up 14 points at 42.
The Rangers feature rookie goalie Tubby McAuley he allows 5.20 gaa and loses 39 games.
The Rangers lend Phil Watson to the Habs for the whole season.
On Jan 23 the Wings wreck the Rangers 15-0 setting a NHL record for most lopsided win.
On Feb 1 Detroit's Syd Howe scores 6 goals against the Rangers in a 12-2 beating. Its the first 6 goal game in 23 years.
Boston's Herb Cain wins the scoring title with 82 points a NHL record and a 46 point improvement on last season.
Doug Bentley leads the league with 38 goals for the Hawks.
Toronto's Babe Pratt sets a new standard for defensemen with 17 goals and 57 points.
Mike McMAhon of Montreal a tiny 5'8 defensemen leads the league in penalty minutes with 99.
Bill Durnan a 28 year old rookie goalie leads the league with a 2.18 gaa.
The Habs swamp the Leafs in 5 games in their opening round series.
The Hawks upset the powerhouse Wings in 5 games.
The finals are never in question as the Habs won their first cup in 13 years in a 4 game laughter.
Toronto's Babe Pratt wins the Hart Trophy.
Chicago's Clint Smith wins his second straight Lady Byng.
Montreal rookie Bill Durnan wins the Vezina.
Gus Bodnar of the Leafs wins the Calder.

03-10-2024, 06:31 PM	#101
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1943-44 They were the Punch Line, a term used to define the end point of a joke, but frankly they were no joke and as serious as a heart attack to the rest of the league. Made of of Elmer Lach, Toe Blake and Maurice Richard, they were the impossible line to defend against. In the mid 40's the Canadians were about to go on a legendary run. Because of his flashiness and skill most eye's focused on Maurice Richard, the rocket. But Blake was really the lines driver. They were first bought together in the 1942-43 season when Dick Irvin realized that the mercurial and emotional Richard needed a stabilizing force on the ice and Elmer Lach a hardnosed and skilled center who was even keeled was a good match, Toe Blake fell into the other spot and the line clicked. The thing though was that this team was incredibly deep anyways, and the Punch Line made the team more frightening. The Canadians had a stellar defense and were backed by rookie Bill Durnan in net. By the half way point of the season they were 20-2-3 and 13 points ahead of the second place Leafs. Montreal finished the season with 5 wins and went into the playoffs on a high. In their first round matchup against the Leafs they were shocked in game 1 when the Leafs beat them 3-1 but that only served as a wake up call. The Rocket scored all 5 Montreal goals in game 2 and beat the Leafs in 5 games destroying the Leafs 11-0 to move onto the finals. In the finals they faced the Black Hawks and destroyed them in 4 games with Richard leading the way. Things would be no different next season. Trivia The Modern age of hockey begins as the NHL adds the center ice red line to speed up the game and reduce offsides. The delayed penalty is introduced. While many teams were weakened by the war effort the Canadians were strengthened as their players didn't rush to join the war effort. The Habs are dominant, they finish with a 38-5-7 and score the most goals with 234 goals and allow the least with 109. In his first full NHL season Maurice Richard scores 32 goals. The Rangers finish in last place with a 6-39-5 record. Rangers coach Frank Boucher attempts a comeback due to the Rangers thin roster, he plays 15 games and puts up 14 points at 42. The Rangers feature rookie goalie Tubby McAuley he allows 5.20 gaa and loses 39 games. The Rangers lend Phil Watson to the Habs for the whole season. On Jan 23 the Wings wreck the Rangers 15-0 setting a NHL record for most lopsided win. On Feb 1 Detroit's Syd Howe scores 6 goals against the Rangers in a 12-2 beating. Its the first 6 goal game in 23 years. Boston's Herb Cain wins the scoring title with 82 points a NHL record and a 46 point improvement on last season. Doug Bentley leads the league with 38 goals for the Hawks. Toronto's Babe Pratt sets a new standard for defensemen with 17 goals and 57 points. Mike McMAhon of Montreal a tiny 5'8 defensemen leads the league in penalty minutes with 99. Bill Durnan a 28 year old rookie goalie leads the league with a 2.18 gaa. The Habs swamp the Leafs in 5 games in their opening round series. The Hawks upset the powerhouse Wings in 5 games. The finals are never in question as the Habs won their first cup in 13 years in a 4 game laughter. Toronto's Babe Pratt wins the Hart Trophy. Chicago's Clint Smith wins his second straight Lady Byng. Montreal rookie Bill Durnan wins the Vezina. Gus Bodnar of the Leafs wins the Calder. __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!