The Chicago Blackhawks closed out a dominant 1966-67 NHL regular season in emphatic fashion. On April 2, 1967, the Blackhawks visited Madison Square Garden for the final game of the schedule for both Chicago and the New York Rangers and walked away with a crushing 8-0 victory.
Highlights
Chicago defeated the Rangers 8-0 on April 2, 1967.
It was the final regular-season game for both teams.
Denis DeJordy stopped all 33 shots for the shutout.
Doug Mohns had a goal and two assists for three points.
Ed Van Impe recorded three assists despite having only 11 all season.
Bill Hay scored twice — the final two goals of his NHL career.
Cesare Maniago made his final appearance for the Rangers.
Minnesota selected Maniago with its first pick in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft.
There wasn't much at stake in the standings. Chicago had already secured first place with 41 wins and 94 points, finishing 17 points ahead of the second-place Montreal Canadiens. New York was locked into the fourth and final playoff position. Bobby Hull was also missing from the Chicago lineup after scoring his 52nd goal of the season a few games earlier. None of that stopped the Blackhawks from putting on a show.
Denis DeJordy was perfect in the Chicago net, turning aside all 33 shots he faced for the shutout. At the other end of the ice, Doug "Diesel" Mohns contributed a goal and two assists for a three-point night. Defenseman Ed Van Impe also had an unusually productive offensive game, recording three assists. He finished the entire season with just 11.
Bill Hay scored twice in the victory, with the two goals proving to be the final goals of his NHL career. Rangers starter Ed Giacomin endured a difficult night, allowing six goals on 22 shots over the first two periods before being replaced by Cesare Maniago.
Maniago stopped nine of 11 shots in the third period, and the appearance turned out to be his last as a member of the Rangers. Just a few months later, Minnesota made Maniago its first selection in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. He was the fourth player taken overall and would go on to become the North Stars' primary goaltender during their early years.
The 8-0 victory was a fitting conclusion to Chicago's outstanding regular season, but the success wouldn't carry into the playoffs. Despite finishing comfortably atop the NHL standings, the Blackhawks were eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round.
The Big 50: Chicago Blackhawks (The Men and Moments that Made the Chicago Blackhawks)
Relive the greatest players, personalities, and turning points in Blackhawks history in this countdown of the 50 most influential figures and moments that shaped the franchise.
Buy on Amazon
No comments:
Post a Comment