The Chicago Black Hawks scored three goals in the second period and that was enough for them to get by the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 3-2 last night in Detroit. It was the only game on the National Hockey League schedule.
No Hull, No Problem
The Black Hawks were without the NHL’s leading goal-getter Bobby Hull, but the rest of his mates picked up the slack with a gritty performance. The game was a close-checking affair with scoring chances for both teams at a premium.
After a scoreless first period in which Detroit held the edge in play, the Hawks scored two goals in 29 seconds early in the second. Fred Stanfield broke the goose egg when he was sent in alone by Doug Mohns. Stanfield waited until Detroit goalie Roger Crozier made the first move and then deposited the puck into the net.
Twenty-nine seconds later, Phil Esposito scored Chicago’s second goal on a three-way play with Ken Hodge and Chico Maki. The rookie Hodge, fresh out of junior this year, is still growing into his huge frame, but has on occasion shown flashes of brilliance. Some see him as an ideal line mate for Esposito some time down the road.
Norm Ullman set up Ab McDonald a couple of minutes later to put the Red Wings on the board. But Bill Hay restored the two-goal margin for the Hawks to make the score 3-1 at the end of the second period.
Alex Delvecchio scored in the first minute of the final frame to draw Detroit within one goal. The Hawks then threw a virtual blanket over the Wings, and left the rest to Glenn Hall, who had to handle only four shots the rest of the way.
Detroit’s Gordie Howe, still seeking his 600th career goal, failed to connect for the fourth straight game. One milestone that was reached during the conest was the 800th NHL point by Andy Bathgate, when he was credited with an assist on Delvecchio’s goal.
Minor Officials To Be on NHL Payroll
The National Hockey League is planning changes to the way it employs minor officials at it games. The folks who run the time clocks and man the goal judging chairs can expect to be paid for the trouble in the future. In addition, the league plans to create a pool of minor officials and possibly rotate them to games throughout the league.
As mentioned yesterday, the league is also going to mandate the clubs construct plexiglass cages in which to house the goal judges in each rink.
The league will also initiate stiff fines for those who argue or berate referees beyond the boundaries of good taste.
Montreal Canadiens owner David Molson, who is on the NHL rules committee, explained the reasoning behind the proposed changes:
“We can’t be knocking the officials all the time. We must develop a situation where there is no criticism. And that goes for the minor officials as well as the referees and linesmen.
“The league must also develop a uniform policy toward minor officials and they all should be paid by the league. If these changes aren’t made, the league will develop a bad image.”
No criticism? Good luck with that, Mr. Molson.
In related news, the New York Rangers have withdrawn their threat to bar goal judge Arthur Reichert from Madison Square Garden. Reichert’s decision to allow a Detroit Red Wing goal touched of Sunday evening’s madness.
Ranger president William Jennings commented, with tongue planted firmly in cheek:
The Rangers have given up wall-climbing. Emile Francis has abandoned his ring aspirations and we are all back to 100 per cent effort to make the playoffs.
Two Aces Lead AHL Scoring
Two members of the Quebec Aces hold down the top spots in the American Hockey League scoring race. Gordon Labossiere and Leon Rochefort are tied with 23 points each. Pittsburgh’s Murray Hall is next with 22 points, followed by two more Quebec players, Ed Hoekstra and Wayne Hicks.
Rookie goalie Gary Smith of Rochester is the league’s top netminder with a 1.73 average. The Americans Red Armstrong is the penalty leader with 38.
Marlies Move into Third
The Toronto Marlboros moved into a third-place tie with the Peterborough Petes on the strength of a 5-3 win over the London Nationals last night in London.
Mike Byers was the scoring hero for Toronto with a pair of goals, scored only 34 seconds apart. Other Marlie marksmen were Tom Martin, Al Osborne and Barry Watson.
Randy Murray, John Mercer and Jim Dorey replied for London.
Andrea Tops CPHL Scoring
Paul Andrea moved back into first place in the Central Professional Hockey League scoring race last week. Andrea’s two points propelled him into the lead.
Top goal scorers in the loop are Lowell MacDonald of Tulsa and Dick Meissner of St Louis, who have each scored eight times.
Art Stratton of St. Louis leads in assists with 11. Wayne Rutledge of Minnesota is the leading goalie with a 2.50 average.