Nov. 11, 1964 - The sign on the sheet hanging from the balcony at Madison Square Garden tonight had written on it the French version of “We Love You Jacques.”
Ranger coach Red Sullivan said: “Plante played a hell of a game.” Plante, who isn’t always so modest, said: “It’s nice to be back, but this is a different team from last year. They help a goaltender a lot now.”
Plante noticed the sign when he came out for the pregame warmup a half hour before the Rangers and Bruins began their game. He smiled. After all, things haven’t gone very well for him so far this year. They went well tonight, however, as the Rangers won, 4-2, and the game of musical goalies will now continue as Sullivan decides whether to use Plante or Marcel Paille Sunday against Detroit.
Paille has an injured knee and hasn’t skated in a week, so Plante will play again. Besides, hockey coaches do not break up a winning combination, and the Rangers have won their last two games with Plante, who allowed only two goals in six periods.
“It’s unbelievable that this could be the same team I played for last year,” Plante said. “Any goaltender is going to look good when he has the defensemen playing like this and the forward coming back to help all the time.”
“Jacques, do you think you should be the regular Ranger goalie all the time?” a reporter asked Plante.
He paused and smiled, obviously remembering his recent trouble over a story quoting him about supposed rumblings of discontent among the Rangers.
“I had better not have any comment on that question,” he said. “Let’s just say that I like being here.”
People in Commack and points east will be happy to know that Plante credits the Long Island Arena for the Rangers’ improvement.
“Practicing out there is going to mean 10 to 15 points to this team, at least,” he said. “The larger ice surface makes the difference. When we used to practice at Iceland [above the Garden], it was a waste. The rink was too short, and over the season it made a big difference.”
The Ranger defense has not been a problem this year, but the offense has. Tonight’s four goals were the most in any game for the Rangers since opening night in Boston. Camille Henry and Earl Ingarfield each scored twice, but Henry’s goals were probably more noteworthy since he has had a great deal of trouble with his back and the skeptics were saying he was through. After all, 138-pound hockey players can only last so long.
Henry wears a brace on his back at all times, and Sullivan has decided on a course of action which he hopes will keep Camille as healthy as possible.
“I’m going to give him as much time as possible off,” said Red. “Henry will not practice with the team except the day before a game. He needs the rest.”
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