Apr. 3, 1964 - Punch Imlach’s power play, created recently when he got Andy Bathgate and Don McKenney from the Rangers, finally showed its strength last night as Toronto whipped the Canadiens, 5-3, in a riotous game at Maple Leaf Gardens.
With unpredictable Frank Mahovlich setting the pace with two goals and three assists, the Leafs capitalized for goals on four Canadien penalties as they tied the best-of-seven Stanley Cup semifinal, 2-2, with the fifth game at the Montreal Forum tomorrow night. The Leafs, breaking loose for three goals in the second period, also got scoring from Red Kelly, Bathgate, and George Armstrong while McKenney chipped in with two assists.
The Habs, hampered throughout the game by penalties, scored a goal in each period. But only when they were down 5-2 in the third period, did they show signs of coming to life.
“I’m sure happy to see our power play click,” said Toronto coach Imlach. “But it’s about time. Something’s got to give with standout players like that on the ice at one time.”
Jean Beliveau, Montreal’s standout center, suffered a severe injury to the right knee just before he scored a goal in the second period, and he was unable to skate thereafter. He was injured when charged into the boards by Eddie Shack (right), who had something of a hitting field day against the Canadiens.
“I don’t know how bad the knee is,” Beliveau said afterward. “I felt it twist when Shack hit me into the boards. They’ll examine it tomorrow in Montreal.”
At the close of last night’s game, Imlach apparently expected trouble and sent out his biggest players — Shack, Allan Stanley, Hillman, Ron Stewart, and Carl Brewer. John Ferguson obliged by taking on Stewart, but the rest of the Habs didn’t follow suit.
“It’s their funeral if they want to tangle with 200-pounders when we outweigh them by 40 pounds,” said Imlach.
There had been a big fight in the first period, shortly after the Leafs opened the scoring. The battle lasted close to give minutes, with Dave Balon getting the worst of it from Toronto’s Ron Stewart and Henri Richard (left) of the Habs winding up with a cut eye from his scrap with Shack. Little Henri did more than hold his own against the Toronto bully boy, connecting with three or four solid punches. But as they were holding each other off, Shack butted his head like a bull and blood oozed from Richard’s right eye.
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