The Roadrunner Runs Wild: Three Power Play Goals vs. Toronto

During the 1966-67 NHL season, Yvan Cournoyer established himself as the league’s most dangerous weapon on the power play. The speedy Montreal Canadiens winger scored 20 of his 25 goals with the man advantage and finished tied for the NHL lead with seven game-winning goals.

On December 21, 1966, at the historic Montreal Forum, Cournoyer delivered one of his finest performances against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored three power play goals, his 8th, 9th, and 10th of the season, in a 6-2 Montreal victory. His second tally, assisted by Dick Duff and Henri Richard, stood as the game winner.

The Canadiens received strong support throughout the lineup. Bobby Rousseau added three assists, while Ralph Backstrom contributed two goals of his own. Toronto goals came from Larry Jeffrey and Kent Douglas.

Cournoyer enjoyed tremendous regular season success against Toronto, scoring 11 goals in 14 games versus the Leafs that year. However, the storyline shifted in the 1967 Stanley Cup Finals, where Toronto limited him to two goals and two assists in six games on their way to capturing the Stanley Cup.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

Buy on Amazon

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

How Johnny Bower Stole Boston’s Christmas in 1966

On December 24, 1966, Maple Leaf Gardens played host to a special kind of Christmas story, one written by the legendary Johnny Bower between the pipes. Just ten days earlier, Bower had stymied the Boston Bruins with a 30-save performance in a 2-1 Toronto win. But on Christmas Eve, he was downright Scrooge-like, turning aside all 29 shots in a 3-0 shutout victory.

While Gerry Cheevers was nearly as sharp for Boston, stopping 27 of 30, the Leafs finally broke through midway through the second period when George Armstrong scored with help from Larry Hillman. Pete Stemkowski and John Brenneman added insurance tallies to seal the win for Toronto.

The NHL schedule showed little holiday spirit that year, the teams met again the very next day at Boston Garden. And once again, the “China Wall” was unbreakable. Bower stopped 35 of 37 shots in a 4-2 win, completing a remarkable back-to-back holiday sweep.

Jim Pappin scored twice for the Leafs, including the game winner, while Red Kelly chipped in a goal and two assists. The Bruins’ lone bright spots came from John McKenzie and J.P. Parise, who managed to sneak a pair past Bower. But for the most part, Christmas belonged to the old master in blue and white, Johnny Bower.

About Johnny Bower

Between 1953-54 and 1969-70, Johnny Bower played 552 regular season and 74 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. The four-time Stanley Cup champion won the Vezina Trophy twice and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976.

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

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 played parts of 11 NHL seasons with which team?
   A) Chicago Blackhawks
   B) New York Rangers
   C) Detroit Red Wings
   D) Montreal Canadiens
   


2. Johnny Bower won his first Vezina Trophy in which NHL season?
   A) 1957–58
   B) 1960–61
   C) 1964–65
   D) 1966–67
   


3. Bower shared goaltending duties with which other Leafs legend during Toronto’s 1967 Stanley Cup win?
   A) Bruce Gamble
   B) Terry Sawchuk
   C) Ed Chadwick
   D) Cesare Maniago
   


4. Known as “The China Wall,” Johnny Bower was famous for his fearless style and for perfecting which now-rare goaltending move?
   A) Butterfly save
   B) Poke check
   C) Stack the pads
   D) Two-pad slide
   


5. In what year was Johnny Bower inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?
   A) 1973
   B) 1976
   C) 1979
   D) 1982