Canadiens Top Black Hawks in Game 1 of NHL Final

Apr. 17, 1965 - Montreal coach Toe Blake summed it up tersely: “They can play a lot better than that, and we’ll have to play a whale of a lot better if we expect to win the series.”Blake was happy but cautious tonight after the Canadiens edged the Chicago Black Hawks, 3-2, before 14,737 Montreal Forum fans in the opening game of the Stanley Cup finals.

The Habs, although well rested since they eliminated Toronto last Tuesday, barely managed to beat the Black Hawks, who played without two of their big guns — defenseman Pierre Pilote and right winger Ken Wharram.

The Canadiens twice blew a one-goal lead before making rookie Yvan Cournoyer’s goal stand up as the winner after the nine-minute mark of the third period.

Henri Richard’s fifth goal of the playoffs and John Ferguson’s second were matched by the Hawks’ Camille Henry and defenseman Matt Ravlich.

Blake spent two days convincing the world that Charlie Hodge would guard the Montreal net tonight but suddenly transferred the assignment to Gump Worsley.

If the Gumper appeared surprised at the start of the game, that’s because he was.

“Just before the game, the coach asked me how I felt,” said Worsley, who missed yesterday’s practice because of a bout with intestinal flu.

“I said I was all right, and he said, ‘Okay, you’ll play.’ I still wasn’t sure what he meant because two goalies have to dress anyway. But then [trainer] Andy Galley gave me the puck to lead the team onto the ice for the warmup.”Worsley’s flu attack was confirmed by Dr. D.G. Kinnear, one of the club’s medics, and Blake denied it was a tactical deke to confuse the Black Hawks.

“I just changed my mind,” Toe said, “just like a woman.”

Chicago coach Billy Reay didn’t appear to be disappointed about the setback.

“My players did all that was asked of them and almost won,” said Reay. “We came here straight from a tough semifinal series, and some of the fellows could have been a little tired. It should be a different story Tuesday.”

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