When the 1961 Chicago Blackhawks won their third Stanley Cup in franchise history, not only did they cure a 23 season Cup drought, but they managed what no other NHL rivals were able to accomplish in five years by ending the Canadiens reign.
The Habs, their first season in eighteen years without Maurice “Rocket” Richard, were due for a retuning. Although Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion matched the Rocket’s illustrious 50 goal mark in 1961, the Canadiens had reached the Stanley Cup finals ten years in succession. The wear and tear on the team was immeasurable, and Geoffrion and other stars were badly banged up and knocked around by a tough Chicago squad.
It would be the end of one era, and a new beginning for the Blackhawks. Long league doormats, the Hawks boasted a lineup featuring future Hall of Famers Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Glen Hall and Pierre Pilote, and the team was destined for a long run at a series of championships.
During the 1960-61 season, Montreal finished 17 points ahead of third place Chicago. Meeting in the semi-final, the teams split the first two games before goalie Hall got to work, shutting out Montreal in the final two games. The Hawks went on to meet and defeat the Detroit Red Wings in six games.
This is a brief look at that season’s Cup run in video clips and newspaper clips. Much of the content of the videos was featured in the DVD “1961 Chicago Blackhawks – The Forgotten Champs.” In it you will see game highlights and players interviews conducted by the likes of Ward Cornell and Rene Lecavalier. The newspaper clippings are from the Montreal point of view, taken from the pages of April 1961 editions of the Montreal Gazette.
As always, click on the newpaper images to enlargen the test for easier reading. Enjoy!
