Habs Take 2-0 Series Lead over Black Hawks

Apr. 20, 1965 - Ted Harris, Jean-Claude Tremblay, Jimmy Roberts, and Claude Provost led a tenacious checking effort while Jean Beliveau (right) and Dick Duff (left) scored power-play goals tonight as the Canadiens blanked the Chicago Black Hawks, 2-0, in a tight game at the Montreal Forum.

The triumph gave the Canadiens a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup final series, which moves to Chicago Stadium for the third and fourth games, Thursday and Sunday.

Beliveau, the first star for the second straight game against the injury-plagued Hawks with his fourth playoff goal, summed things up for the whole team.

“When you win 2-0, just about everybody has to be playing well,” said Beliveau. “This was a little tougher game than last Saturday, but we didn’t give them many good scoring chances. At the same time, I still think we can skate better.”

The Hawks had only 18 shots on Gump Worsley, who chalked up his first playoff shutout in 26 postseason appearances.

“They played better, but the guys checked them closer,” said Worsley, who considered only two of his saves as tough. One came on a screened drive by Bobby Hull in the second period and the other off Camille Henry in a third-period scramble.

“I was looking down the same hole as Hull,” said Gump, explaining how he was able to watch the Hawk star shoot through a maze of legs. “I just got it with my skate.”

Someone asked Gump if he had a bonus coming to him for the shutout.

“Sure,” said Worsley, “after two more wins for the Stanley Cup.”

Ted Harris and J.C. Tremblay were tremendous on defense, and coach Toe Blake didn’t hesitate to praise the two rearguards.

“I must have had them on the ice for 45 minutes,” said Blake. “They played on stretch of five minutes and helped kill two penalties.”

Beliveau, who later assisted on Dick Duff’s goal, opened the scoring in the third minute of the second period while Hawk defenseman Doug Jarrett was off for holding. Noel Picard’s point drive rebounded off Al MacNeil, and Beliveau moved in to beat goalie Glenn Hall on the left side.

“I shot between his legs,” said Jean. “That’s the only way I can score these days — away up high or between the legs.”

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