During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for May 1st, featuring the 1966-67 Toronto Maple Leafs.
Today in Hockey History
1966-67 Toronto Maple Leafs Take Stanley Cup
1967: The Leafs ride their age and experience to a Stanley Cup Title with a 3-1 win in Game 6 over the Montreal Canadiens. Toronto has an average age of over 30 and upsets the favoured two-time defending champions.
Ron Ellis and Jim Pappin score goals while George Armstrong gets an empty-netter to seal the deal. Terry Sawchuk makes 40 saves in net to slow down the vaunted Habs offence. Dave Keon‘s stellar defensive play nets him the Conn Smythe Trophy.
This is the last Stanley Cup awarded during the Original Six era and the Leafs last championship. Toronto’s win prevents Montreal from getting a run of five straight Stanley Cups
Other Notable Events
1971: Bobby Hull‘s goal and two assists help the Chicago Blackahwks beat the New York Rangers 4-2 in Game 7 of the semifinals.
1976: Reggie Leach scores in his seventh straight game as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Boston Bruins. Leach scores in the third period to give the Flyers a 5-2 win in Game 3 of the semifinals.
1985: Peter Stastny helps the Quebec Nordiques finally beat the Canadiens, 3-2, in overtime in Game 7 of Adams Division Final. He scores on the only shot in overtime for the Nordiques.
1987: Montreal gets its Game 7-revenge thanks to a goal and two assists for Bobby Smith. The Habs beat the Nords, 5-3, in the Adams Division Final.
Brian Propp and Brad Marsh score shorthanded goals 44 seconds apart as the Flyers beat the New York Islanders, 5-1. The shorthanded goals are a Flyers team record as they win Game 7 of the Patrick Division Final.
2002: Patrick Lalime is the fourth goalie in league history to get four shutouts in one post-season. The Ottawa Senators netminder makes 27 saves in the Sens’ 5-0 Game 1 over the Leafs in the Eastern semifinals.
2012: Marian Gaborik helps the Rangers beat the Washington Capitals in third overtime, 3-2. It’s the longest game the Blueshirts have played in since Game 1 of the 1939 semifinals.
Happy Birthday to You
1932: Real Chevrefils
1960: Greg Terrion
1979: Jason Chimera
1980: Brad Richards
1987: Kris Russell
1992: Brett Connolly
