Game 078
Canadiens 2, Maple Leafs 1 (OT)
Thursday, December 8, 1927
Forum de Montréal, Montréal, Québec
A Joliat-Morenz rush along the left boards after three minutes’ overtime play broke up a 1-1 deadlock in the Toronto Maple Leafs-Canadiens National Hockey League game here tonight. Joliat scored the winning goal and Morenz was credited with an assist. The 2-1 win put the local team in the leadership of the Canadian section.
The first two periods were rather slow and listless. However, the final period more than made up for it, with the Toronto forwards going at a terrific rate in an attempt to equalize. Keeling was successful in tying the score on a lone rush and long shot. Hart had put the Canadiens in the lead after six minutes’ play in the first period by batting in his own rebound.
It was Toronto’s first appearance here this year, and 11,000 fans turned out.
Gagné and Cox were prominent in the early stages. Carson poke-checked cleverly to lead a dangerous Toronto rush. Mantha wormed his way from end to end, but Roach saved his rather easy shot. Play was slow, with the Canadiens outshooting their visitors. Gardiner was robbed of a promising opportunity, and a minute later Roach smothered a rebound with Morenz in excellent scoring position. Carson went off for carrying a high stick. Hart made a solo rush and soared his own rebound to beat Roach, who was off balance.
Duncan’s checking featured the Maple Leafs’ defence. Hainsworth made a brilliant save from a Keeling-Bailey rush.
The Canadiens opened the second period with “Gizzy” Hart at centre. Toronto did most of the pressing, with the Canadiens on the defensive. The local wings backchecked well, while Hainsworth was unbeatable.
McCaffrey and Day were ruled off in quick succession, but Gorman, Bailey and Duncan held the fort until the culprits returned, largely through ragging the puck.
Keeling put Morenz into the boards and was chased. Carson circled the Canadiens’ net and Hainsworth saved an almost certain goal. Gagné handled the puck and was penalized. Leduc followed, and the Canadiens were three to four, and a minute later three to five. Over-anxiety and offsides spoiled many Toronto rushes. Duncan got a major for checking heavily. Morenz bodychecked Carson and took a penalty.
Mantha forced a scramble in the goalmouth. Roach and Duncan cleared. Carson grabbed the puck behind his own net and made an end-to-end rush that deserved a goal, falling as he was in shooting position. Morenz broke the Maple Leaf defence for a shot. Gagné circled the net, and as he did so hit Roach with his stick. The little goalkeeper was not hurt. Joliat lost a chance from Gagné’s pass.
Toronto’s pressure told, and Keeling, on a lone effort, slammed a long shot past Hainsworth to tie the score. Back went the Canadiens, and Gaudreault came near scoring.
Story originally published in The Globe, December 9, 1927
BOXSCORE
1st Period
MTL PP GOAL – 06:47 – Hart
MTL PEN – Gagné
TOR PEN – Carson
2nd Period
MTL PENS – Gagné, Leduc, Morenz
TOR PENS – Duncan (major), Day, Keeling, McCaffrey
3rd Period
TOR GOAL – 13:40 – Keeling
MTL PENS – Burke, Gaudreault, Mantha
TOR PENS – Day, Gorman, Patterson
Overtime
MTL GOAL – 03:47 – Joliat (Morenz)
GOALTENDERS
MTL – Hainsworth (W)
TOR – Roach (L)
ROSTERS
MTL – Goaltenders: George Hainsworth. Defence: Marty Burke, Herb Gardiner, Albert Leduc, Sylvio Mantha (C). Forwards: Art Gagné, Leo Gaudreault, Gizzy Hart, Aurèle Joliat, Léo Lafrance, Wildor Larochelle, Howie Morenz.
TOR – Goaltenders: John Ross Roach. Defence: Hap Day, Art Duncan, Ed Gorman, Beattie Ramsay. Forwards: Ace Bailey, Bill Carson, Danny Cox, Butch Keeling, Bert McCaffrey, George Patterson.
TEAM RECORDS
MTL – 5-1-2 (.750)
TOR – 3-4-1 (.438)
Two Solitudes 