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CaptainCrunch · 03-15-2024, 07:15 PM

1946-47

After scoring 50 goals in 50 games, Maurice Richard dropped suddenly the next year to score 27, but he was still one of the most feared scorers in the NHL.

The challenge though for him was that the NHL was finally returning to normalcy after a world war where teams had trouble filling out lineup cards and the great depression where teams struggled to survive.

Richard was unique for his age. He was a pure shooter he had a wicked wrist shot and a even more devestating backhand shot. He could score from anywhere on the ice. He was unafraid to skate to the net and challenge the toughest NHL defensemen. He was intense and frightening to play against.

In 1946-57 he rebounded to score 45 goal, teams tried different ways to try to shut him down including physical and psychological abuse because they knew he was short tempered.

But Richard was also a deceptively good fighter, he'd knocked out Rangers defenseman Bob Gill who was a tough golden gloves boxer twice in a game.

But Richards frustration came from his feeling that the referees weren't willing to call penalties against his assailants. His frustration and temper were about to hurt his own team.

The Canadians finished first again with a 34-16-10 record and stomped on the Bruins in the first round. The Habs moved on to face the Leafs in the finals, and the Leafs employed a strategy that could generously be called "Lets mug him" as Bill Ezinicki and Vic Lynn were assigned to shadow re mug the Rocket.

In game 2, Richard finally had enough in game two he exploded and vicioualy attacked Lynn and Ezincki leaving them bloody on the ice after vicious stick assaults.

Basically Richard's actions left NHL President Clarence Campbell with no choice but to suspend Richard for game 3 and fine him $250 dollars. ($3500 today). In 1947 this was a pretty stiff for the times.

The Canadians were shocked and it effected them deeply, they lost game 3, Richard game back in game 4 and basically pouted and was passive. He exploded for 2 goals in game 5, but the Leaf's shut him down in game 6 to take the cup.

Universally Richards temper was blamed for the Habs failure to win the cup. And it wouldn't be the last time Richard exploded, this incident was foreshadowing.

Trivia

The NHL adopts hand signals on penalty calls.
The NHL mandates that linemen from neutral cities be hired for games.
Red Dutton steps down as NHL president and doesn't return to an NHL rink until 1980. Clarence Campbell takes over as NHL President.
Montreal general manager Tommy Gorman retires and his replaced by Frank Selke.
The NHL announces that it will pay a $1000.00 cash prize to every trophy winner and member of the all star team. ($13,950 today)
The NHL schedule goes from 50 to 60 games.
The Canadians win their 4th straight NHL regular season title.
Chicago's Max Bentley wins the scoring title with 29 goals and 72 points, edging out Maurice by 1 point.
Richard leads the league with 45 goals.
The Red Wings debut a rookie from Saskatchewan by the name of Gordie Howe.
Toronto winger Don Metz knocks out Canadians Elmer Lach who suffers a fractured skull which ends his season.
Montreal's Bill Durnan leads the league in GAA at 2.30 for the 4th year in a row.
Toronto's Howie Meeker sets a NHL rookie record with 5 goals in a game against the Hawks on Jan 8th.
Detroit's Billy Taylor sets an NHL record with 7 assists on March 16th against Chicago.
Toronto beats the Wings in 5 games to advance to the finals.
Montreal beats Boston in double overtime in game 5 to head to the finals.
Montreal beats the Leaf's 6-0 in game one of the finals. Bill Durnan blurts to a reporter asking how the "Leafs had even made the playoffs" This went directly to the Leaf's dressing room and they won 4 out of the last 5 games of the series to win their 6th cup.
Maurice Richard wins his first and only Hart Trophy.
Bill Durnan wins his 4th straight Vezina.
Bobby Bauer of the Bruins takes his third Lady Byng Trophy.
Howie Meeker beats out Jimmy Conacher and Gordie Howe of the Wings to win the Calder. This will be the only NHL trophy that Howe doesn't win.
The World Hockey Championships resume for the first time in 8 years. Czechoslovakia wins over the favoured Canadians.

03-15-2024, 07:15 PM	#106
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1946-47 After scoring 50 goals in 50 games, Maurice Richard dropped suddenly the next year to score 27, but he was still one of the most feared scorers in the NHL. The challenge though for him was that the NHL was finally returning to normalcy after a world war where teams had trouble filling out lineup cards and the great depression where teams struggled to survive. Richard was unique for his age. He was a pure shooter he had a wicked wrist shot and a even more devestating backhand shot. He could score from anywhere on the ice. He was unafraid to skate to the net and challenge the toughest NHL defensemen. He was intense and frightening to play against. In 1946-57 he rebounded to score 45 goal, teams tried different ways to try to shut him down including physical and psychological abuse because they knew he was short tempered. But Richard was also a deceptively good fighter, he'd knocked out Rangers defenseman Bob Gill who was a tough golden gloves boxer twice in a game. But Richards frustration came from his feeling that the referees weren't willing to call penalties against his assailants. His frustration and temper were about to hurt his own team. The Canadians finished first again with a 34-16-10 record and stomped on the Bruins in the first round. The Habs moved on to face the Leafs in the finals, and the Leafs employed a strategy that could generously be called "Lets mug him" as Bill Ezinicki and Vic Lynn were assigned to shadow re mug the Rocket. In game 2, Richard finally had enough in game two he exploded and vicioualy attacked Lynn and Ezincki leaving them bloody on the ice after vicious stick assaults. Basically Richard's actions left NHL President Clarence Campbell with no choice but to suspend Richard for game 3 and fine him $250 dollars. ($3500 today). In 1947 this was a pretty stiff for the times. The Canadians were shocked and it effected them deeply, they lost game 3, Richard game back in game 4 and basically pouted and was passive. He exploded for 2 goals in game 5, but the Leaf's shut him down in game 6 to take the cup. Universally Richards temper was blamed for the Habs failure to win the cup. And it wouldn't be the last time Richard exploded, this incident was foreshadowing. Trivia The NHL adopts hand signals on penalty calls. The NHL mandates that linemen from neutral cities be hired for games. Red Dutton steps down as NHL president and doesn't return to an NHL rink until 1980. Clarence Campbell takes over as NHL President. Montreal general manager Tommy Gorman retires and his replaced by Frank Selke. The NHL announces that it will pay a $1000.00 cash prize to every trophy winner and member of the all star team. ($13,950 today) The NHL schedule goes from 50 to 60 games. The Canadians win their 4th straight NHL regular season title. Chicago's Max Bentley wins the scoring title with 29 goals and 72 points, edging out Maurice by 1 point. Richard leads the league with 45 goals. The Red Wings debut a rookie from Saskatchewan by the name of Gordie Howe. Toronto winger Don Metz knocks out Canadians Elmer Lach who suffers a fractured skull which ends his season. Montreal's Bill Durnan leads the league in GAA at 2.30 for the 4th year in a row. Toronto's Howie Meeker sets a NHL rookie record with 5 goals in a game against the Hawks on Jan 8th. Detroit's Billy Taylor sets an NHL record with 7 assists on March 16th against Chicago. Toronto beats the Wings in 5 games to advance to the finals. Montreal beats Boston in double overtime in game 5 to head to the finals. Montreal beats the Leaf's 6-0 in game one of the finals. Bill Durnan blurts to a reporter asking how the "Leafs had even made the playoffs" This went directly to the Leaf's dressing room and they won 4 out of the last 5 games of the series to win their 6th cup. Maurice Richard wins his first and only Hart Trophy. Bill Durnan wins his 4th straight Vezina. Bobby Bauer of the Bruins takes his third Lady Byng Trophy. Howie Meeker beats out Jimmy Conacher and Gordie Howe of the Wings to win the Calder. This will be the only NHL trophy that Howe doesn't win. The World Hockey Championships resume for the first time in 8 years. Czechoslovakia wins over the favoured Canadians. __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!