Provost Shadows Hull

Apr. 23, 1965 - Claude Provost, the most unpopular performer in last night’s third game in the Stanley Cup finals between the Montreal Canadiens and the Black Hawks at Chicago Stadium, doesn’t care if he never wins a popularity contest in Chicago.

The 31-year-old Provost, who scored 27 goals and picked up 37 assists during the Canadiens’ regular season, has emerged as the most important performer in the series, which Montreal leads, 2-1, after Chicago’s 3-1 victory last night. Provost’s importance hasn’t been as a scorer, however.

He became Bobby Hull’s shadow. His job is to “watch” Hull, whose 108-mile-an-hour slap shot has helped make him the most feared scorer in the league. 

Provost has frustrated and taunted Hull, whom he numbers among his best friends, to such an extent that the Golden Boy has had only two assists and hasn’t scored a goal in the first three games.

“I feel bad for Bobby, but that’s the way I’ve got to play against him,” said Provost. “I have to stay ahead of him and get the puck. If I don’t, and he winds up…”

At 5-9 and 168 pounds, the square-jawed Provost is an inch shorter and 25 pounds lighter than the burly Hull.

“You can tell Bobby’s angry,” Provost said. “He’s playing the body more. He never used to hit me so much. But when he plays the body, he doesn’t play the puck. I don’t blame him, though. I bet no one ever watched him so closely.”

Provost squeezed a rubber grip strengthener as he spoke. His teammates were in their hotel rooms, some taking naps between meals.

“Myself, I can’t sleep,” he said. “I think about the game all the time. I try to watch T.V. or talk to my roommate about what we’ll do this summer.

“I know they don’t like me in Chicago for what I’ve been doing to Bobby. But I’m not in a popularity contest. If it was a beauty contest, Bobby would win.”Many observers of the first three contests are wondering how long Provost, an extremely fast skater, can keep up the pace. Hull has been getting hungrier for a goal with each passing period — and getting angrier in the process.

“I enjoy watching him,” said Provost. “When you win, you never get tired.”

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