Hockey and sports in general can be broken down into moments. Some moments are bigger than others and chart the course of a franchise and an entire league. These moments can define a team’s destiny for years to come. Last Word on Hockey’s Summer Series looks at these defining moments. Today we feature the biggest defining moment of the Montreal Canadiens franchise.
Top Montreal Canadiens Defining Moments in Team History
The Montreal Canadiens have one of the richest histories in the sport of hockey. Perhaps in all sport. Much like the other three Original Six teams featured so far, we could make multiple lists. We could go on for days on the amount of defining moments the Habs have had.
However, for our series, we’ll feature three important moments in this franchise’s history. The top moment is one that even shaped the future of an entire province and the country.
The Richard Riot
Hockey in the 1950s was a rough-and-tumble world. Only a select lucky few got to suit up to play professionally. Moreover, there were only 100 players among the six teams, so teams were very familiar with each other and there was plenty of bad blood. One March night in 1955 would cause a lot of tensions to boil over. The event have long-lasting ramifications on the hockey world.
The Run-Up
On March 13, 1955, Montreal was taking on the rival Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden. Bruins defenceman Hal Laycoe had high-sticked Habs star Maurice Richard in the face. It was a gruesome scene. The high-stick would result in five stitches to Richard’s head. Furthermore, Richard and Laycoe ended up in confrontation. In the ensuing aftermath, Richard struck linesman Cliff Thompson twice and knocked him out.
Richard was given a match penalty and an automatic $100 fine. The Boston Police Department even attempted to arrest Richard on the spot. However, they were turned back by the defiant Canadien players. Authorities backed off after Bruins management said the NHL would handle the matter.
A hearing regarding the situation was held on March 16th. Richard was suspended by league president Clarence Campbell for the final three games of the regular season and the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Moment
Campbell’s decision stirred up a hornet’s nest. Despite warnings from Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau not to do so, by Campbell attending the March 17th game at the Montreal Forum against the Detroit Red Wings, it ignited a powder keg. The league president was defiant and attended the game in Montreal just days after suspending the hometown team’s superstar for the rest of the season.
A crowd of people had gathered prior to the game. However, tensions would come to a head when Campbell would take his seat in the middle of the first period of play. The 15,000 people in attendance booed him and pelted him with various objects. One fan feigned a handshake only to slap Campbell across the face.
A tear gas bomb was set off inside the Forum, and all heck broke loose. The game was suspended and eventually ruled a 4-1 forfeit victory, in favour of Detroit. Richard, who was revered by the entire province of Quebec, made an appeal for calm, which thankfully did win out. Campbell still remained defiant. In addition, a Montreal councilor wanted him arrested for inciting a riot.
The Aftermath
Montreal would reach the Final, despite not having Richard. However, the Habs would lose in seven games. The Francophone population of Montreal took the suspension as another slight against one of their heroes. It was seen as a slight against their entire culture.
Many commentators said this was another building block in the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s. French-speaking residents in Quebec felt the Anglophone-centric league was excessively punishing a French-speaking player.
Richard would get the last laugh because he would lead the Canadiens to five straight Stanley Cups after his return. Montreal captured the Cup each year from 1956 to 1960. Furthermore, The Rocket would be remembered as of the league’s all-time greats.
Not many hockey-related events would be talked about in the history books. However, the fallout from the riot is still being felt.
Other Montreal Canadiens Defining Moments
This is the Mask
One can’t think of goalies without thinking of the iconic masks that they wear. However, the goalie mask that we come to know today is barely 60 years old.
It is noted that Jacques Plante was the first NHL goalie to use a mask in a live game. In contrast, it was another goalie from a Montreal NHL team that would don the mask for the first time. Clint Benedict of the Montreal Maroons was the first to wear a face covering way back in February 1930.
However, Plante had been wearing the mask in practice. Simply toying with the idea of protecting himself. But it would take a shot to Plante’s face from New York Rangers star Andy Bathgate in the first period of a November 1st, 1959 game.
Canadiens legendary head coach Toe Blake wasn’t a fan of the fiberglass mask. However, he was forced to relent, when Plante wouldn’t return to the game without having it on. Plante’s innovation would lead the way in goaltender safety and innovation.
St. Patrick Departs
This story was already touched on a bit in the Colorado Avalanche entry of our summer series. Goaltender Patrick Roy had been a big part of the Canadiens resurgence in the 1980s and 90s.
However, back in 1995, tensions grew between him and rookie head coach Mario Tremblay. It all came to a head on December 2nd, 1995. Montreal was taking on the Red Wings and their notoriously, high-powered offence.
Detroit was on fire and rolled to an 11-1 victory over Montreal. Roy was in goal for nine goals, before he was finally pulled. After he exited the game, he felt he had to say something. He walked past his teammates and told team president Ronald Corey that it would be his last game in Montreal. The future of Hall of Fame goalie was dealt to the Avs, and the rest is history.
Other Montreal Canadiens Defining Moments
We could go on for days for Montreal Canadiens defining moments. The 1971 NHL Draft class, taking down the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the five Stanley Cups in a row, the addition of Ken Dryden are just some of the moments we came up with for the Canadiens and their rich history. But stay tuned, as this such a storied franchise, as we will bring you a surprise follow up edition to this article.
Main photo by: Wikimedia Commons
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