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CaptainCrunch · 03-12-2024, 06:56 PM

1944-45

He had a hockey rink named after him where I played most of my games growing up, but Frank McCool was not your typical goalie. Tall and Lanky in the day of pudgy goalies, he was also a high strung individual that lived with a chronic case of ulcers so bad that he had to drink milk between periods when he wasn't throwing up.

McCool was probably never going to get a full time opportunity in the NHL, except starter Turk Broda went to serve in the war. McCool was average in 1944-45 posting a 3.22 gaa and winning the Calder Trophy, but nobody thought that he was anything but a weak point in Toronto's lineup when they hit the playoffs.

In the opening round the Leafs took on the Canadians who had finished with a 38-8-4 record and featured the Punch Line, and the brilliant Bill Durnan in goal. But things shifted and "Ulcers" would become a legend. He lead the Leafs in an upset of the Canadians in 6 games, and McCool outside of a 10-3 blowout in game 5 was brilliant.

The Leaf's then took on the Red Wings who had finished 15 points ahead of Toronto in the finals. Again nobody thought that McCool would be able to carry the Leafs to the cup. However ulcers and nerves aside, McCool shut out the Wings in the first 3 games of the series. However the Wings bounced back to tie the series at 3 games a piece.

During Game 7 McCool's ulcers got so bad that he had to leave the ice for an antacid, but he returned and battled in the 3rd period as the Leafs were hanging onto a 2-1 lead. McCool was again brilliant and the Leafs scored a late goal to salt away the cup.

For McCool, he played 22 games in the next season before retiring due to his ulcers.

Trivia

Maurice Richard scores at a goal per game rate.
Richard sets a NHL record on Dec 28th when he scored 8 points in a game including 5 goals against the Red Wings.
On Jan 21, the Bruins score four goals in a minute and 20 seconds in a 14-3 blowout of the Rangers.
Montreal finishes first and 13 points ahead of the second place Wings.
Ted Lindsay makes his debut with the Red Wings.
Elmer Lach of the Canadians sets an NHL record with 54 assists.
Rocket Richard has the first 50 goal season in NHL history scoring 50 in 50.
Ranger's goalie Tubby McAuley improves on his 6.20 gaa by reducing it to a 4.95 gaa, sadly its his last year in the NHL.
Bill Durnan of Montreal leads the league with a 2.42 gaa.
Pat Egan now with Boston takes the penalty crown with 86 minutes.
Detroit defenseman Flash Hollett scores 20 goals and 41 points.
The Leafs upset the Canadians in 6 games in their semi final.
Detroit beats Boston in 7 games in the other semifinal.
The Leafs upset the Wings in 7 games to win their 4th cup.
Elmer Lach of the Habs wins the Hart Trophy.
Bill Durnan wins the Vezina Trophy.
Frank McCool wins the Calder Trophy.
Chicago's Bill Mosienko wins the Lady Byng.

03-12-2024, 06:56 PM	#102
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1944-45 He had a hockey rink named after him where I played most of my games growing up, but Frank McCool was not your typical goalie. Tall and Lanky in the day of pudgy goalies, he was also a high strung individual that lived with a chronic case of ulcers so bad that he had to drink milk between periods when he wasn't throwing up. McCool was probably never going to get a full time opportunity in the NHL, except starter Turk Broda went to serve in the war. McCool was average in 1944-45 posting a 3.22 gaa and winning the Calder Trophy, but nobody thought that he was anything but a weak point in Toronto's lineup when they hit the playoffs. In the opening round the Leafs took on the Canadians who had finished with a 38-8-4 record and featured the Punch Line, and the brilliant Bill Durnan in goal. But things shifted and "Ulcers" would become a legend. He lead the Leafs in an upset of the Canadians in 6 games, and McCool outside of a 10-3 blowout in game 5 was brilliant. The Leaf's then took on the Red Wings who had finished 15 points ahead of Toronto in the finals. Again nobody thought that McCool would be able to carry the Leafs to the cup. However ulcers and nerves aside, McCool shut out the Wings in the first 3 games of the series. However the Wings bounced back to tie the series at 3 games a piece. During Game 7 McCool's ulcers got so bad that he had to leave the ice for an antacid, but he returned and battled in the 3rd period as the Leafs were hanging onto a 2-1 lead. McCool was again brilliant and the Leafs scored a late goal to salt away the cup. For McCool, he played 22 games in the next season before retiring due to his ulcers. Trivia Maurice Richard scores at a goal per game rate. Richard sets a NHL record on Dec 28th when he scored 8 points in a game including 5 goals against the Red Wings. On Jan 21, the Bruins score four goals in a minute and 20 seconds in a 14-3 blowout of the Rangers. Montreal finishes first and 13 points ahead of the second place Wings. Ted Lindsay makes his debut with the Red Wings. Elmer Lach of the Canadians sets an NHL record with 54 assists. Rocket Richard has the first 50 goal season in NHL history scoring 50 in 50. Ranger's goalie Tubby McAuley improves on his 6.20 gaa by reducing it to a 4.95 gaa, sadly its his last year in the NHL. Bill Durnan of Montreal leads the league with a 2.42 gaa. Pat Egan now with Boston takes the penalty crown with 86 minutes. Detroit defenseman Flash Hollett scores 20 goals and 41 points. The Leafs upset the Canadians in 6 games in their semi final. Detroit beats Boston in 7 games in the other semifinal. The Leafs upset the Wings in 7 games to win their 4th cup. Elmer Lach of the Habs wins the Hart Trophy. Bill Durnan wins the Vezina Trophy. Frank McCool wins the Calder Trophy. Chicago's Bill Mosienko wins the Lady Byng. __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!