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CaptainCrunch · 04-28-2024, 06:45 PM

1971-72

Lets not cut bait here, the Bruins came into the 1971-72 season as an angry hockey team. After being upset in the first year of the playoffs last year, and failing to build on their cup victory the year before, the Bruins were out to avenge themselves on the NHL.

Behind Orr and Esposito who finished fist and second in scoring the Bruins burned the NHL to the ground and finished with a 54-13-11. Story wise the only story that could distract the Hockey world from the Bruins was the story of a proposed new professional hockey team calling itself the World Hockey Association.

The WHA had not actually created a schedule, but laid out a franchised circuit for 1972-73 and loudly announced that they would be freely raiding NHL Rosters and the bruins were the primary target, there were rumors of offers to Esposito and Green who were on expiring contracts.

It was interesting to note that the WHA made no such noise bout Orr, it was just assumed that Orr would never be leave Boston, and the WHA probably assumed that if they did manage to get Orr that Boston fan bases would start making boards with nails in them as a response.

On the NHL front the only team that was seen as a serious challenger to the Bruins were the Rangers, they were lead by the GAG (oh grow up, it stands for goal a game line) of Rod Gilbert, Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle. On the back end they had a great goalie in Ed Giacomin, and they had the league's second best blueliner in Brad Park.

While Park wasn't as flashy or as flamboyant on the ice as Orr, Park was a better body-checker, and a better stick handler, and every bit as creative as Orr on the rush. The problem though is that the Bruins were still the deeper club that could come at you in waves. The other problem was that the Rangers were a softer club, they could get intimidated. But despite that the Rangers finished in second place with a flashy 48-17-13 record. In the playoffs the Rangers disposed of the Canadians in the quarter finals and swept the Hawks in the semis. Boston bullied their way to the finals with easy series against the Leafs and the Blues.

The finals became a battle between Orr and Park. Orr dominated in the first two games of the finals, then Park took over and dominated a 5-2 win for the Rangers in game 3. Orr scored twice in game 4, Park was a key in a Rangers 3-2 win in game 5, but then Orr wrapped up the cup in game 6 by scoring a goal and assisting on another as the Buins won 3-0.

When the post season awards were announced, Park finished as the runner up to Orr for the Norris for the third straight year, Orr won his 5th straight Norris Trophy, 3rd straight Hart, and second career Conn Smythe award killing any debates between Ranger and Bruins fans over who was better.

Trivia

Because of the number of NHL brawls, the NHL installs a rule that ejects any player that joins a fight in progress.
The Hall of Fame inducts 5 new members, Busher Jackson, Gordon Roberts, Terry Sawchuk, Cooney Weiland and Arthur Wirtz.
In the Amateur Draft, the Canadians draft wonder kid Guy Lafleur with the first overall pick, Detroit grabs Marcel Dionne second.
NHL Amateur Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_NHL_amateur_draft
The Bruins finish first in the league with a 54-13-11 record and improve on their offence from last year with 330 goals..
Boston's Phil Esposito leads the league in goals with 66 and points with 113.
Boston's Bobby Orr leads the NHL in assists with 80 and finished second in scoring with 117 points.
The Canadians say goodbye to Jean Beliveau as he retires, but welcome Scotty Bowman behind the bench.
Detroit in their first year without the retired Gordie Howe wastes 42 goals from Mickey Redmond and finishes 5th in the East.
The Sabre's welcome rookie Richard Martin who scores 44 goals playing on a line with Gil Perreault but the Sabres win a mere 16 games.
Vancouver wins 20 games and finishes last in the East.
Chicago behind a tough defence and lead by Bobby Hull and his 50 goals in his last year in Chicago take the West division with a 46-17-15 record allowing just 166 goals.
The Flyers hire Freddy "The Fog" Shero as their new coach, and Bobby Clarke scores 35 goals and 81 points, but the Flyers still miss the playoffs.
California represented by the Seals and Kings finish 6th and 7th in the West respectively.
Chicago's Tony Esposito sports the best gaa in 21 years with a stingy 1.77.
In the East Semis, Boston wrecks Toronto in 5 games, and the Rangers take out the cup champion Habs in 6 games.
In the West, Chicago sweeps Pittsburgh, and St Louis sneaks past Minnesota in 6 games.
The semifinals are a display in dominance as the Rangers sweep the Hawks and the Bruins sweep St. Louis outscoring them 28-8.
In the finals the Bruins beat the Rangers in 6 games as the bruins win their second cup in three years.
Bobby Orr wins the Conn Smythe on the back of 24 playoff points.
Bobby Orr takes home his 3rd straight Hart Trophy and 5th straight Norris Trophy.
Jean Ratelle of the Rangers takes home the Lady Byng and Lester B Pearson Award.
Tony Esposito and Garry Smith of the Hawks share the Vezina Trophy.
Ken Dryden in his first official year takes home the Calder Trophy and puts it on the shelf with his Conn Smythe Trophy from the year before.
Bobby Clarke a diabetic is given the Masterton Trophy.
The Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL featuring Richard Brodeur in goal capture the Memorial Cup.
Boston University defends its NCAA championship beating Cornwall int he finals.
The Soviets win the Olympic Gold medal in the Sapporo Japan Games.
Team USA featuring Mark Howe and Robbie Ftorek win the Silver medal.
The Canadians boycott the Olympic hockey tournament over the use of professional amateurs from the Eastern Bloc countries.

Debuts

Terry O'Reilly, Boston Bruins
Rick Martin, Buffalo Sabres
Craig Ramsay, Buffalo Sabres
Marcel Dionne, Detroit Red Wings
Billy Smith, Los Angeles Kings
Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens
Bill Clement, Philadelphia Flyers
Dave Schultz, Philadelphia Flyers
Mike Murphy, St. Louis Blues
Wayne Stephenson, St. Louis Blues
Rick Kehoe, Toronto Maple Leafs
Jocelyn Guevremont, Vancouver Canucks
Dennis Kearns, Vancouver Canucks

Final Games

John McKenzie, Boston Bruins
Ted Green, Boston Bruins
Dick Duff, Buffalo Sabres
Eric Nesterenko, Chicago Black Hawks
Ab McDonald, Detroit Red Wings
Bob Pulford, Los Angeles Kings
J.C. Tremblay, Montreal Canadiens
Phil Goyette, New York Rangers
Val Fonteyne, Pittsburgh Penguins
Bill Hicke, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brit Selby, St. Louis Blues
Don Marshall, Toronto Maple Leafs
Rosaire Paiement, Vancouver Canucks

NOTE: McKenzie, Green, Tremblay, Fonteyne, Selby, Nesterenko, McDonald, Hicke and Paiement would continue their careers in the World Hockey Association.

04-28-2024, 06:45 PM	#165
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1971-72 Lets not cut bait here, the Bruins came into the 1971-72 season as an angry hockey team. After being upset in the first year of the playoffs last year, and failing to build on their cup victory the year before, the Bruins were out to avenge themselves on the NHL. Behind Orr and Esposito who finished fist and second in scoring the Bruins burned the NHL to the ground and finished with a 54-13-11. Story wise the only story that could distract the Hockey world from the Bruins was the story of a proposed new professional hockey team calling itself the World Hockey Association. The WHA had not actually created a schedule, but laid out a franchised circuit for 1972-73 and loudly announced that they would be freely raiding NHL Rosters and the bruins were the primary target, there were rumors of offers to Esposito and Green who were on expiring contracts. It was interesting to note that the WHA made no such noise bout Orr, it was just assumed that Orr would never be leave Boston, and the WHA probably assumed that if they did manage to get Orr that Boston fan bases would start making boards with nails in them as a response. On the NHL front the only team that was seen as a serious challenger to the Bruins were the Rangers, they were lead by the GAG (oh grow up, it stands for goal a game line) of Rod Gilbert, Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle. On the back end they had a great goalie in Ed Giacomin, and they had the league's second best blueliner in Brad Park. While Park wasn't as flashy or as flamboyant on the ice as Orr, Park was a better body-checker, and a better stick handler, and every bit as creative as Orr on the rush. The problem though is that the Bruins were still the deeper club that could come at you in waves. The other problem was that the Rangers were a softer club, they could get intimidated. But despite that the Rangers finished in second place with a flashy 48-17-13 record. In the playoffs the Rangers disposed of the Canadians in the quarter finals and swept the Hawks in the semis. Boston bullied their way to the finals with easy series against the Leafs and the Blues. The finals became a battle between Orr and Park. Orr dominated in the first two games of the finals, then Park took over and dominated a 5-2 win for the Rangers in game 3. Orr scored twice in game 4, Park was a key in a Rangers 3-2 win in game 5, but then Orr wrapped up the cup in game 6 by scoring a goal and assisting on another as the Buins won 3-0. When the post season awards were announced, Park finished as the runner up to Orr for the Norris for the third straight year, Orr won his 5th straight Norris Trophy, 3rd straight Hart, and second career Conn Smythe award killing any debates between Ranger and Bruins fans over who was better. Trivia Because of the number of NHL brawls, the NHL installs a rule that ejects any player that joins a fight in progress. The Hall of Fame inducts 5 new members, Busher Jackson, Gordon Roberts, Terry Sawchuk, Cooney Weiland and Arthur Wirtz. In the Amateur Draft, the Canadians draft wonder kid Guy Lafleur with the first overall pick, Detroit grabs Marcel Dionne second. NHL Amateur Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_NHL_amateur_draft The Bruins finish first in the league with a 54-13-11 record and improve on their offence from last year with 330 goals.. Boston's Phil Esposito leads the league in goals with 66 and points with 113. Boston's Bobby Orr leads the NHL in assists with 80 and finished second in scoring with 117 points. The Canadians say goodbye to Jean Beliveau as he retires, but welcome Scotty Bowman behind the bench. Detroit in their first year without the retired Gordie Howe wastes 42 goals from Mickey Redmond and finishes 5th in the East. The Sabre's welcome rookie Richard Martin who scores 44 goals playing on a line with Gil Perreault but the Sabres win a mere 16 games. Vancouver wins 20 games and finishes last in the East. Chicago behind a tough defence and lead by Bobby Hull and his 50 goals in his last year in Chicago take the West division with a 46-17-15 record allowing just 166 goals. The Flyers hire Freddy "The Fog" Shero as their new coach, and Bobby Clarke scores 35 goals and 81 points, but the Flyers still miss the playoffs. California represented by the Seals and Kings finish 6th and 7th in the West respectively. Chicago's Tony Esposito sports the best gaa in 21 years with a stingy 1.77. In the East Semis, Boston wrecks Toronto in 5 games, and the Rangers take out the cup champion Habs in 6 games. In the West, Chicago sweeps Pittsburgh, and St Louis sneaks past Minnesota in 6 games. The semifinals are a display in dominance as the Rangers sweep the Hawks and the Bruins sweep St. Louis outscoring them 28-8. In the finals the Bruins beat the Rangers in 6 games as the bruins win their second cup in three years. Bobby Orr wins the Conn Smythe on the back of 24 playoff points. Bobby Orr takes home his 3rd straight Hart Trophy and 5th straight Norris Trophy. Jean Ratelle of the Rangers takes home the Lady Byng and Lester B Pearson Award. Tony Esposito and Garry Smith of the Hawks share the Vezina Trophy. Ken Dryden in his first official year takes home the Calder Trophy and puts it on the shelf with his Conn Smythe Trophy from the year before. Bobby Clarke a diabetic is given the Masterton Trophy. The Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL featuring Richard Brodeur in goal capture the Memorial Cup. Boston University defends its NCAA championship beating Cornwall int he finals. The Soviets win the Olympic Gold medal in the Sapporo Japan Games. Team USA featuring Mark Howe and Robbie Ftorek win the Silver medal. The Canadians boycott the Olympic hockey tournament over the use of professional amateurs from the Eastern Bloc countries. Debuts Terry O'Reilly, Boston Bruins Rick Martin, Buffalo Sabres Craig Ramsay, Buffalo Sabres Marcel Dionne, Detroit Red Wings Billy Smith, Los Angeles Kings Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens Bill Clement, Philadelphia Flyers Dave Schultz, Philadelphia Flyers Mike Murphy, St. Louis Blues Wayne Stephenson, St. Louis Blues Rick Kehoe, Toronto Maple Leafs Jocelyn Guevremont, Vancouver Canucks Dennis Kearns, Vancouver Canucks Final Games John McKenzie, Boston Bruins Ted Green, Boston Bruins Dick Duff, Buffalo Sabres Eric Nesterenko, Chicago Black Hawks Ab McDonald, Detroit Red Wings Bob Pulford, Los Angeles Kings J.C. Tremblay, Montreal Canadiens Phil Goyette, New York Rangers Val Fonteyne, Pittsburgh Penguins Bill Hicke, Pittsburgh Penguins Brit Selby, St. Louis Blues Don Marshall, Toronto Maple Leafs Rosaire Paiement, Vancouver Canucks NOTE: McKenzie, Green, Tremblay, Fonteyne, Selby, Nesterenko, McDonald, Hicke and Paiement would continue their careers in the World Hockey Association. YouTube Video __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!