Johnny Bower’s Final NHL Shutout: A Vintage Performance in Philadelphia

On December 12, 1968, in the twilight of his remarkable career, Johnny Bower turned back the clock one last time. Playing at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, the veteran netminder stopped all 27 shots he faced to backstop the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 1-0 win over the Flyers. Ron Ellis provided the game’s lone goal, beating Bernie Parent for the decisive tally. Among the Flyers, Simon Nolet kept Bower busiest, firing five shots on goal.

Earlier that same 1968-69 season, Bower had recorded his final home shutout at Maple Leaf Gardens, a 2-0 victory over the Boston Bruins. In that contest, he turned aside 29 shots while Larry Mickey and Dave Keon did the scoring. Keon’s third-period shorthanded marker against Gerry Cheevers sealed the win, in a game that also featured a spirited scrap between Tim Horton and Derek Sanderson.

That season would be Bower’s last as a regular contributor, appearing in 20 regular-season and four playoff games while sharing duties with Bruce Gamble. The following year, he suited up for just a single game before retiring from the NHL.

Between 1953-54 and 1969-70, Bower appeared in 552 regular season and 74 playoff games with the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Known for his fearless play and famous poke check, “The China Wall” became one of hockey’s most beloved figures and, fittingly, his career ended as it had so often been defined: with a shutout.

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976, Johnny Bower’s final blanking of the Flyers remains a classic example of his enduring brilliance between the pipes.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Johnny Bower

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, Johnny Bower began his NHL career with which team?

Chicago Black Hawks
New York Rangers
Detroit Red Wings
Boston Bruins

2. Bower was affectionately nicknamed “The China Wall.” What was the main reason for this nickname?

His unbreakable goaltending style
His time spent playing in China
His habit of wearing a mask made in China
His connection to the Great Wall through his ancestry

3. How many Stanley Cups did Johnny Bower win with the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Two
Three
Four
Five

4. What unique goaltending technique was Johnny Bower especially known for perfecting?

The butterfly style
The poke check
The stand-up save
The glove flash

5. In what year was Johnny Bower inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

1970
1972
1976
1980

The Last Goalie To Play Every Minute Of An NHL Season: Ed Johnston’s Historic 1963-64 Feat

On March 22, 1964, Boston Bruins netminder Ed Johnston etched his name into NHL history. That night, he played all 60 minutes of Boston’s 70th and final game of the 1963-64 season. When the final buzzer sounded, Johnston had become the last goaltender in league history to play every single minute of an entire season.

In this final game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Johnston faced 40 shots, the 17th time he had to turn aside more than 40 in a single outing that year. Boston’s porous defense allowed fewer than 30 shots in just 12 of their 70 games. Leading the Chicago attack were Ab McDonald and the legendary Bobby Hull, each firing seven shots.

Johnston did everything he could to keep his last-place Bruins competitive. He surrendered four goals, while Glenn Hall allowed three at the other end in a 4-3 Blackhawks win. Still, there were bright spots: Stan Mikita was held off the scoresheet, and Hull managed only one assist.

Despite Boston’s struggles, Johnston led the NHL in both shots against and saves. His remarkable endurance and determination didn’t go unnoticed, he even received Hart Trophy (MVP) consideration, finishing tied for 10th in voting with Toronto defenseman Tim Horton.

About Ed Johnston

Eddie Johnston played 592 regular season and 18 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1962-63 and 1977-78 with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. The two-time Stanley Cup champion as a player with the Bruins recorded 32 regular season shutouts and added a single blank in the post season.

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

NHL Hockey Trivia: Ed Johnston

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which team did Ed Johnston play every single minute for during the 1963-64 NHL season?
   New York Rangers
   Boston Bruins
   Chicago Blackhawks
   Detroit Red Wings
   
2. Johnston was part of the Bruins’ goaltending tandem when they won two Stanley Cups in the early 1970s. Who was his partner in net?
   Bernie Parent
   Gerry Cheevers
   Rogie Vachon
   Tony Esposito
   
3. In addition to the Bruins, Johnston also played for which three other NHL teams?
   Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Blues
   Maple Leafs, Blues, Blackhawks
   North Stars, Penguins, Rangers
   Flyers, Sabres, Kings
   
4. Johnston later became a long-serving head coach and executive with which NHL team?
   Boston Bruins
   St. Louis Blues
   Pittsburgh Penguins
   Toronto Maple Leafs
   
5. Ed Johnston finished his NHL playing career with how many regular season wins?
   122
   182
   236
   282
   

This Day In Hockey History: Tim Horton's Birthday

On January 12, 1930, the legendary Tim Horton was born in Cochrane, Ontario. 

Tim Horton 1963-64 Birthday Game

It's hard to find an actual game played by Tim Horton that took place on a January 12. But, on January 12, 1964, Horton and the Toronto Maple Leafs took on the Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden. The teams were opposite ends of the standings and it would be an understatement to say the game ended in an upset.

Going into the game, the Maple Leafs were 21-11-6. The Bruins were having a rough season with just seven wins, 24 losses and eight ties. It should have been a birthday cake walk for Tim and the Buds.

It was not. Boston came out on top 6-3. Goalie Eddie Johnston turned away 38 of 41 shots in the victory. The winning goal was scored by Dean Prentice in the second period with an assist from Andy Hebenton.

As for Horton, he was held off the scoresheet. In fact, he didn't even get a minor penalty. However, Tim led the Maple Leafs with five shots on net.

About Tim Horton

Tim Horton played 1,446 regular season and 126 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1949-50 and 1973-74. Although most of his career was played with Toronto, he also played for the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres.

Horton helped the Maple Leafs to four Stanley Cup championships. He was a First Team All-Star defenseman on three occasions and was selected Second Team All-Star the same number of times.

Tim was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame posthumously in 1977. His number 2 was retired by the Buffalo Sabres in 1996. The Toronto Maple Leafs retired his number 7 in 2016.

5 That Played 1,000 Games In A Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey

Throughout the long and storied National Hockey League history of the Toronto Maple Leafs, five players have appeared in over 1,000 regular season games with the club. The team has existed in the NHL since 1917. However, four of the five players played during generally the same era.

George Armstrong – 1,187

George Armstrong leads the way with 1,187 regular season games played in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. Armstrong played from 1949-50 to 1970-71, always with Toronto. In that time, he totaled 713 points and appeared on four Stanley Cup winning teams (1961-62, 1962-63, 1963-64 and 1966-67). His number 10 is honoured by the Maple Leafs and George was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame 1975.

Tim Horton – 1,185

Tim Horton fell just two games shy of Armstrong with 1,185 games played with Toronto. However, Horton did play more NHL games, totaling 1,446 in a career that spanned from 1949-50 to 1973-74. Horton finished his career, playing with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres.

Horton was part of the same four Stanley Cup winning teams as George Armstrong. His number 7 is honoured by the team and he posthumously entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.

 

Borje Salming – 1,099

Borje Salming played 1,099 games with Toronto from 1973-74 to 1988-89. He played one more NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings and retired with 1,148 regular season games. He totalled 768 points from the Toronto blue line and his 620 assists are a Toronto Maple Leafs record for most career assists. Borje’s number 21 has been honoured by the Maple Leafs. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 and two years later he became a member of the IIHF Hall of Fame.

Dave Keon – 1,062

Dave Keon played 1,062 of his 1,296 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs between 1960-61 and 1974-75. Keon played an additional 301 games in the World Hockey Association with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Indianapolis Racers and New England Whalers. 

Keon returned to the NHL to play three years with the Hartford Whalers before retiring. Dave was part of the four Stanley Cup teams in the 1960’s. He won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 1960-61, the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1966-67 and two Lady Byng Trophies. Keon was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986.

Ron Ellis – 1,034

Ron Ellis played 1,034 games with Toronto in an NHL career that spanned from 1963-64 (1 game) to 1980-81. In that time, he scored 332 goals and accumulated 640 points. He was a big part of the 1966-67 Stanley Cup winning team. Ellis is the only one of the five not in the Hockey Hall of Fame. If there were an honourable mention category, Ron would be there.

 

NHL Hockey Trivia: Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have been in the National Hockey League for over forty years, entering the league for the 1970-71 season. In that time, they have yet to win the Stanley Cup but have been to the finals on two different occasions. Although the franchise is going through a rough stretch as of the 2013-14 season, the team does have a storied past housing players like Eddie Shack, Tim Horton, Pat Lafontaine, Gilbert Perreault and Alex Mogilny, among others.

Test and expand your hockey trivia knowledge with these four trivia questions focused on the Buffalo Sabres.

Q. When the Buffalo Sabres joined the NHL for the 1970-71 season, what other team came onboard with them?

A. The Vancouver Canucks joined in 1970-71 along with the Sabres in what was the beginning of the second generation of NHL expansion. In that inaugural season, Buffalo had more points than the Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and California Golden Seals. The Sabres ended up tied with the Los Angeles Kings with 63 points in the 14 team league. However, Buffalo finished 19 points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the fourth and final playoff position in the East Division.

Q. Who was the first overall draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres?

A. Gilbert Perreault was selected first overall and became the centre piece of the Sabres organization for seventeen years. In Buffalo’s first season in the NHL, Perreault won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. Gilbert was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.

Buffalo and Vancouver were slated to take the top two picks in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. The teams spun a wheel to determine who would go first and Buffalo won. Vancouver took defenseman Dale Tallon second overall. Tallon played 642 regular season games in the National Hockey League between 1970-71 and 1979-80 with the Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Q. The number 2 is retired by the Buffalo Sabres for what player?

A. Tim Horton wore number 2 for the 1972-73 season and the 1973-74 season up until his death on February 21, 1974. With the Toronto Maple Leafs, number 7 is honoured for Horton. Tim switched to number 4 with Buffalo because Rick Martin was already in possession of number 7 when he arrived. Horton played in the NHL from 1949-50 with the Maple Leafs, Rangers, Penguins and Sabres. Horton posthumously entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.

Q. Who is the only Buffalo Sabre player to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player?

A. Dominik Hasek won the Hart Trophy in 1996-97 and 1997-98. Not only is he the only Sabre to win the Hart, he is the only goaltender to ever win the trophy more than once. Hasek played for Buffalo from 1992-93 to 2000-01 and in the NHL from 1990-91 to 2007-08. Along with the Sabres, Dominik also played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings.

3 Calder Cup Championships of the Pittsburgh Hornets

The Pittsburgh Hornets existed in the American Hockey League from 1936-37 to 1955-56 and were revived for a stint between 1961-62 and 1966-67. In the first existence of the team, the Hornets won the Calder Cup as AHL playoff champion on two occasions. As the re-incarnated Hornets, the franchise would win one more Calder Cup championship before being chased out of town by the National Hockey League and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

1951-52

The Hornets won their first Calder Cup in 1951-52. The team finished first overall in the nine team league and first in the five team West Division. Pittsburgh knocked out the Hershey Bears, 4-1 in the opening round of the playoffs. After receiving a bye through the second round, Pittsburgh met the Providence Reds in the finals and prevailed in six games.

The 1951-52 Hornets were coached by Toronto Maple Leafs legend, King Clancy. A future Toronto star defenseman played on the blue line for Pittsburgh. Tim Horton played in all eleven playoff games. The following year, Horton became a regular with the Maple Leafs and would continue on in the National Hockey League until his death during the 1973-74 season. He would make his return to Pittsburgh, playing for the Penguins late in his career. Tim also appeared for the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres.

1954-55

Two years later, in 1954-55, the Hornets were crowned Calder Cup champions again. The AHL was reduced to a six team, single division league and Pittsburgh finished first overall. Coached by another big name former Toronto player, Howie Meeker, the Hornets beat the Springfield Indians three games to one in the first round before taking out the Buffalo Bisons 4-2 in the finals.

Leading the way for Pittsburgh in 1954-55 was Willie Marshall. Willie went on to become the AHL all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points, records that stand today. Since 2003-04, the AHL has honoured the player that finishes the regular season with the most goals with the Willie Marshall Award.

1966-67

The reincarnated version of the Hornets knew going in that 1966-67 would be their final season in Pittsburgh. The Penguins had been granted an NHL franchise and were slated to start, along with five other new teams, in 1967-68. There simply wasn’t room for two pro teams in town. Since re-entering the league in 1961-62, the new-style Hornets had been affiliated with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. The 1966-67 team was filled with young talent like Peter Mahovlich, Gary Jarrett and Billy Harris, along with long-time veterans Andy Bathgate and Doug Harvey.

The Hornets finished first overall in the nine team AHL, as well as finishing first in the four team West Division. After beating the Hershey Bears four games to one in the opening round, Pittsburgh received a bye through to the finals. They met Rochester in the Calder Cup finals and swept the Americans in four games.

Buffalo Sabres by the Numbers

The Buffalo Sabres, the most consistent National Hockey League team in the Toronto Region over the past 40 years, has enjoyed a storied history in a professional ‘small market’. Although the team has never taken home the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup, every new year is a possibility with the product the Sabres put on the ice. Take a glance at the history of the Buffalo Sabres, by the numbers.

1 Hart Memorial Trophy winner. He did it twice. Goaltender Dominek Hasek won the Hart as the NHL’s most valuable player in two consecutive seasons, 1996-97 and 1997-98.

2 Trips to the Stanley Cup finals. Although they’ve yet to take home the hardware, the Sabres have been to the dance twice in their history. In 1974-75, just Buffalo’s fifth year in the NHL, the Sabres faced off against the Philadelphia Flyers in the finals. The Broad Street Bullies won the series in six games for their second consecutive Stanley Cup.

3 Hat Tricks by Eddie Shack in 1970-71. ‘The Entertainer’ was traded from the Los Angeles Kings eleven games into Buffalo’s inaugural season. Shack scored 25 goals for the Sabres that season, 36% of which came in just three games. Eddie’s stay in Buffalo was short. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins midway through the following season.

6 retired jersey numbers hang from the rafters at the First Niagara Center. The Buffalo Sabres retired numbers include: 2 – Tim Horton; 7 – Rick Martin; 11 – Gilbert Perreault; 14 – Rene Robert; 16 – Pat Lafontaine; 18 – Danny Gare.

8 players that have donned a Buffalo Sabres jersey at some point during their NHL career are now enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. These players include: Dick Duff, Grant Fuhr, Clark Gillies, Tim Horton, Gilbert Perreault, Dale Hawerchuk, Pat Lafontaine and Doug Gilmour.

53 wins represents Buffalo’s best season in that particular category. The Sabres won 53 in 2006-07. It was the second time the team had reached the 50 win plateau after winning 52 the year before.

76 goals for Alexander Mogilny in 1992-93 remains a team single season record. The total is the fifth highest in NHL history and Mogilny is one of just eight players to reach 70 goals and beyond. Alex played for Buffalo from 1988-89 to 1994-95.

148 points by Pat Lafontaine in 1992-93 is not only a Sabres team record but the highest point total ever produced by an American born player.

512 goals were scored by Gilbert Perreault during his career with the Sabres. This total leaves Perreault at the top of Buffalo’s all-time list and the same can be said for games played, assists and points. Gil is placed 37^th all-time in the NHL for career goals scored and is one of just 41 players to reach the 500 goal plateau.

1970 was the year that saw the Buffalo Sabres play their first National Hockey League game. The team visited Pittsburgh for the first game of the 1970-71 season and walked away with a 2-1 victory over the Penguins. Buffalo entered the league that season, along with the Vancouver Canucks.