The New York Rangers, who for the last two seasons have been playoff spectators and not participants, are serving notice that this year they are a team to be taken seriously. Last night against the Red Wings at the Olympia in Detroit, the Broadway Blueshirts extended their unbeaten skein to six games as they battled the Wings to a 3-3 tie.
The game was an entertaining affair for the home crowd. The Rangers broke out on top early, grabbing a 2-0 first period lead. But the Red Wings fought back and tied the game just past the eight-minute mark of the final frame.
Nevin Opens Scoring
Ranger captain Bob Nevin opened the scoring for New York at 1:04 of the first, whacking his own rebound past Detroit goalkeeper Roger Crozier. Veteran defenseman Harry Howell made it 2-0 with a power play goal at 13:46. Howell’s long shot was grabbed by Crozier, but the puck slipped out of his glove and trickled into the net.
Red Wings maintained solid pressure on Ranger rookie goalie Ed Giacomin, who finally was beaten by Paul Henderson with 87 seconds left in the opening period. Henderson was the trigger man on a fine three-way passing play with Bruce MacGregor and Billy Harris.
New York regained their two-goal lead at 7:23 of the middle session on a power play marker by veteran Don Marshall, his fourth of the year. Nevin and Howell drew assists on the play. The Red Wings still refused to quit, and finally found a chink in Giacomin’s armour with 36 seconds left in the period. Gord Howe did the honours on the power play, set up by Andy Bathgate and Alex Delvecchio. Howe deflected a point shot by Bathgate, giving Giacomin no chance on the play.
Over the first two periods Detroit held the edge in play, outshooting the visitors 24-15. Only some stellar play by Giacomin kept the Rangers in front. The final 20 minutes turned into a shooting gallery with the Red Wings wielding the guns.
Detroit Dominates Third
Detroit dominated, firing 18 shots in 20 minutes at a heroic Giacomin, while the Rangers responded with only five at Crozier.
The only goal of the period was scored by MacGregor, as the combination of he, Henderson and Harris struck again. MacGregor potted the goal from close range during a scramble at 8:09.
The final 11 minutes and 51 seconds passed without further scoring, thanks again to the acrobatics of the Rangers’ rookie netminder.
The tie, while preserving New York’s unbeaten string, also enabled the Red Wings to snap a two-game losing streak.
Generals Within One Point of OHA Lead
The Oshawa Generals moved to within one point of the OHA Junior A Series lead with a 7-4 win over the Hamilton Red Wings last night at Hamilton. In the other league game, the Montreal Junior Canadiens and Peterborough Petes skated to a 2-2 draw.
Danny O’Shea scored one goal and added three assists to pace the Oshawa attack. O’Shea leads the OHA in scoring. Other General scorers were Bill Little and Wayne Cashman with a pair of goals each, and Bill White and Bobby Orr with singles.
Renald Leclerc scored twice for the Red Wings. Kevin Petit and Freddie Speck connected for singles.
At Peterborough, Danny Grant scored both Petes goals. His second marker, at 9:59 of the third, tied the game at 2-2. Jacques Lemaire and Larry Pleau counted for the Baby Habs.
Blades Drop Hornets 6-4
The Pittsburgh Hornets of the American Hockey League continued their tour of Western Hockey League cities last night with a 6-4 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Blades.
Rookie Bobby Schmautz scored his first goal of the season at 13:24 of the final frame and it proved to be the game-winner. Other Blades marksmen were Leo Labine, Norm Johnson and Brian Smith with three.
Pittsburgh goal-getters were Irv Spencer, Val Fonteyne, Bert Marshall and Norm Beaudin.
After 12 inter-locking games between the AHL and WHL teams, each league has six victories’
Imlach Hints Walton Available
Amid rumours swirling around the Maple Leafs suggesting they are engaged in serious trade talks with the Boston Bruins, Toronto manager-coach Punch Imlach suggested yesterday that young Mike Walton, currently with Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, could be had by the Bruins, if the price is right. It’s no secret that the Bruins are canvassing the other five NHL teams for help down the middle, and sources have said they are dickering with Imlach for Walton and Wally Boyer, also with the Amerks. Imlach was asked to comment:
Sure, they need centres. They figure they can get Boyer cheap because he doesn’t figure in our plans. But Walton’s a good hockey player.
I offered them Walton and Pappin last season but they backed off. Walton’s playing well, he’s a good offensive centre… maybe they could still get Walton.
Minnesota in First
The Minnesota Rangers of the Central Professional Hockey League moved into first place last night with a 3-1 home-ice win over the Houston Apollos.
Bill Collins was the hero for the Rangers, scoring a pair of goals within two minutes and 45 seconds of the second period. Gary Sabourin had the other Minnesota goal.
Bill Staub scored for Houston.