Canadiens Draw First Blood in Playoff Series with Toronto

Apr. 1, 1965 - The Toronto Maple Leafs drew real blood in the start of the seminal playoffs, but the Canadiens won, 3-2, at the Forum on Bobby Rousseau’s brilliant third-period goal for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup semifinal.

The brawling saw referee Vern Buffey call 75 minutes in penalties. It included a knockout crosscheck of Terry Harper by the Leafs’ Frank Mahovlich and another KO when Kent Douglas chopped down Dave Balon in a stick-swinging duel in the first period.

Rousseau’s goal came on a brilliant pass from Jean Beliveau while Toronto defenseman Tim Horton was sitting out a tripping penalty.

“Jean gave me a perfect pass,” said Rousseau, who had to split the Leaf defense of Carl Brewer and Bobby Baun to take it. “I got the shot away before falling into the boards, and I believe it hit the inside of the goalie’s pads.”

The goal came after the Canadiens, ahead 2-0 from the first-period goals by Henri Richard and Ralph Backstrom, came close to throwing the win away. They slowed down after putting tremendous pressure on the great netminding of Johnny Bower. The Leafs tied it on goals by Dickie Moore and Carl Brewer less than three minutes apart in the third period.

“We eased up and came close to blowing it when we missed a couple of big chances in that third period,” said Montreal coach Toe Blake. 

Blake was not happy with the way the Leafs tried to manhandle his players.

“[Toronto coach] Punch Imlach should get out there and trade a few punches himself, then he may see the difference,” said Blake.

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