The Mahovlich Brothers Turn the Tide in 1971 Cup Final

On January 13, 1971, the Montreal Canadiens made a bold move, sending Guy Charron, Bill Collins, and Mickey Redmond to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Frank Mahovlich. It proved to be a game-changing trade in their chase for the Stanley Cup.

By the time Montreal reached the 1971 Stanley Cup Final, the payoff was clear. Facing the Chicago Blackhawks, the Habs found themselves in a tough spot, down two games to none, then trailing 3-2 in the series heading into Game 6 at the Montreal Forum on May 16. That’s when the Mahovlich brothers took over.

Despite falling behind again in Game 6, the Canadiens battled back. At 5:10 of the third period, Frank “The Big M” Mahovlich tied the game 3-3 with his 14th goal of the playoffs, assisted by the legendary Jean Béliveau. Just minutes later, Pete “The Little M” Mahovlich scored the go-ahead, shorthanded goal, on a slick pass from his big brother.

Frank finished the night with a goal and two assists, while Pete added two goals. All of it came at the expense of Blackhawks goalie Tony Esposito, who gave up four goals on just 16 shots, six of which came from Mahovlich sticks.

The win forced a decisive Game 7, where the Canadiens traveled to Chicago Stadium and completed the comeback with a 3-2 victory to claim the Stanley Cup. Over the course of the 1970-71 playoffs, the Mahovlich brothers were an offensive force, combining for 43 points in 20 games, Frank with 27, Pete with 16. Despite their heroic efforts, neither won the Conn Smythe Trophy. That honor went to a rookie sensation named Ken Dryden.

The Mahovlich Brothers

From Timmins, Ontario, Frank Mahovlich is six years older than brother Pete. Frank got his NHL start in 1956-57, playing three games for the Toronto Maple Leafs while still a junior with Toronto St. Michael's. Peter was a prospect of the Detroit Red Wings and played his first NHL games in similar fashion, appearing in three games with the Wings in 1965-66 while still a junior with the Hamilton Red Wings.

The two were teammates with Detroit after Frank was traded from Toronto on March 3, 1968 with Carl Brewer, Pete Stemkowski and Garry Unger for Doug Barrie, Paul Henderson, Floyd Smith and Norm Ullman. Peter came to Montreal first, arriving on June 6, 1969 in a trade with Bart Crashley for Garry Monahan and Doug Piper. Frank was traded to the Habs on January 13, 1971 for Guy Charron, Bill Collins and Mickey Redmond.

Between 1956-57 and 1973-74, Frank Mahovlich played 1,181 regular season and 137 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Maple Leafs, Red Wings and Canadiens. He also played 237 regular season and nine playoff games in the WHA between 1974-75 and 1977-78 with the Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls.

Pete Mahovlich played 884 regular season and 88 playoff games in the NHL between 1965-66 and 1980-81 with the Red Wings, Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins. He was a four time Stanley Cup champion with the Habs and topped the 100 point plateau twice during his career.

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.