Exactly 50 Years Since Canadiens Title, As An Underdog

Today my last “exact” 50 year, NHL or NBA anniversary post, recounts the Montreal Canadiens (3-2) game 7 win at Chicago Stadium vs the Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup, sending their great captain, Jean Beliveau, into retirement with a 10th Stanley Cup crown.

Henri Richard, who two years later would play on a record 11th Cup winner (only Bill Russell in the NBA has as many player titles in one of the four major North American sports leagues), led the #7 win scoring the tying goal in the second period and an all-time clutch, Stanley Cup winning goal in the third period.

Montreal netminder, Ken Dryden, eventually a great, had not even been afforded rookie status but he led the Canadiens to an underdog title as they beat the heavily favored, record breaking, defending champion, Boston Bruins in the “quarters” and the favored Blackhawks in an excellent NHL final.

Click below to view the three Montreal goals, one on a shot just past the red line, by the great Jacques Lemaire, as well as the end of the game.

Ken Dryden talks about his truly great, incredibly clutch save on Jim Pappin’s shot late in the third period.

Three great broadcasters are heard or seen on the video below. Ward Cornell is pictured interviewing Ken Dryden, while Danny Gallivan on play by play and Dick Irvin with commentary are also there.