1954-55
When one looks back on Maurice "Rocket" Richard you have to credit him as the first power forward in the NHL. He was highly skilled, tough, non compromising. He could deke you out, put you on your ass, or carry you on his back on the way to a goal. But he also was also a player with a tremendous player. He was once suspended for braining players with his stick. He once confronted a referee and linesman in a hotel lobby.
You see the problem was that Richard had never won a scoring title, and it frankly pissed him off, and he blamed the NHL referees for not calling penalties when he was being assaulted on the ice.
But 1954-55 looked like his year to finally win the scoring championship. He was having his greatest season ever, with 3 games left in the season he had 74 points and was ahead of his team mate Bernie Geoffrion. At the same time the Canadians were battling Detroit for first place in the NHL.
With the season winding down the Canadians took to the ice against the Boston Bruins at the Gardens. The game was a rough one and at one point Richard and Bruins defenseman Hal Laycoe went at it.
When linesman Cliff Thompson intervened in the fight Richard thought it was one sided and floored Thompson. He was ejected from the game and NHL President Clarence Campbell ordered a hearing two days later.
Campbell and Richard were not friends, would never exchange Christmas cards and Richard was convinced that Campbell had it out for him. Campbell also often listened to the advice of league power brokers like Conn Smyth and they insisted that Richard's attack of an official had to be punished severely. So Campbell dropped the hammer and suspended Richard for the final three games of the year and the playoffs.
The News quickly spread across Montreal leaving the populous of Montreal in a state of Rage. It didn't help that the Habs were playing the Red Wings that night and first place was on the line.
Despite warnings from the police, both Richard and Campbell attended the game that night. Campbell entered the game late and the fans noticed him and began to pelt him with fruit and vegetables, one fan raced up the stairs and punched Campbell in the face and a tear gas canister exploded in the crowd near ice level.
Richard and his wife fled to safety in the arena clinic, to their surprise Campbell had also been rushed there to protect him. Richard was warned not to talk to him, and they glared at each other until Campbell left.
A riot broke out outside of the forum and things spiralled out of control. By the time Richard and his wife had gotten home Canadians Frank Selke called him and convinced Richard to go on TV and Radio to try to calm things down. Richard spoke to the Canadian fans and told them that he deserved the suspension though he thought it was too long, and with that the riot slowly subsided.
The Red Wings were given the win by forfeit costing the Habs first place. Bernie Geoffrion was soundly boo'd out of the building by Habs fans as he overtook Richard and won the scoring title by a single point.
Without Richard, the Habs still made the finals but they lost to the Red Wings in 7 games. Richard would never win the scoring title that he coveted for so long.
Trivia
- The NHL begins the practice of maintaining an out of town scoreboard in every arena.
- The NHL rules that the referee and linesmen have to wear the Zebra stripped shirts.
- Teams begin to wear coloured sweaters at home and white sweaters on the road.
- In Detroit Tommy Ivan steps down as coach after seven dominant seasons and is replaced by Jimmy Skinner.
- after a slow start the Bruins bring in recently retired Milt Schmidt as coach.
- Sid Abel is fired by Chicago after a terrible season and is replaced by Frank Eddolls.
- Canadian's goalie Gerry McNeil retires at 28 years of age opening the door for Jacques Plante.
- The Red Wings win the regular season title with 95 points finishing two ahead of Montreal.
- Bernie Geoffrion ties Maurice Richard for the goal scoring lead with 38.
- Bernie Geoffrion wins the scoring crown with 75 points one ahead of Richard.
- Toronto goalie Harry Lumley has the leagues best Gaa for the second year in a row with a 1.94 gaa.
- The Wall of Misery Terry Sawchuk leads all goalies with 40 wins and takes the Vezina.
- Gump Worsley takes back his job in New York.
- Canadian's defenseman Doug Harvey breaks an NHL record for defensemen with 43 breaking Babe Pratts old record.
- The Zamboni makes its debut on March 10th at the Montreal forum.
- Detroit faces Toronto in one semifinal while Montreal takes on Boston.
- Even without Richard the Habs lay a beating down on the Bruins outscoring them 16-9 in a five game series.
- Detroit lays a whooping down on the Leafs winning 4-0.
- In the finals, the Habs take a 2-1 lead into the third period of game one but the Wings roar back to win 4-2.
- The Wings lay a beating on the Habs in game 2 7-1 as Ted Lindsay scores 4 goals.
- In game 3 the Habs win 4-3 and follow it up with a 5-3 win in game 4.
- Detroit beats the Canadians in game 5 5-1, but the Canadians send the series to 7th heaven with a 6-3 win.
- Alex Delvecchio scores twice as the Wings take their 4th Cup in 6 years.
- Gordie Howe who scored the cup winning goal sets a NHL record for playoff points with 20 in 11 games.
- Toronto's Ted Kennedy wins the Hart Trophy and announces his retirement.
- Toronto's Sid Smith wins the Lady Byng Trophy.
- Chicago rookie Ed Litzenberger scores 51 points and wins the Calder.
- Doug Harvey wins the Norris Trophy.
- Michigan wins its fifth NCAA title beating Colorado College in the finals.
NHL Debuts
Last games