1952-53 NHL season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1952-53 NHL season was the 36th season of the National Hockey League. Six teams each played 70 games. The Montreal Canadiens were the Stanley Cup winners as they beat the Boston Bruins four games to one in the final series.
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[edit] Regular season
The NHL almost had a seventh franchise, as the Cleveland Barons applied for a franchise. They were accepted with the proviso that they deposit $425,000 to show good faith, and prove they had sufficient working capital to consort with the other NHL teams. They could not come up with the working capital and transfer of applicants stock to Cleveland residents. As a result, Cleveland was told to apply at a later date.
A big deal was made between Toronto and Chicago as the Maple Leafs shipped Al Rollins, Gus Mortson and Cal Gardner for goaltender Harry Lumley.
Sid Abel was signed by Chicago to be player-coach.
What was rumour became fact in September when Arthur M. Wirtz and James D. Norris became the new owners of the near bankrupt Chicago Black Hawks.
Gump Worsley made his NHL debut October 9, 1952 in goal for the New York Rangers at the Detroit Olympia and lost 5-3, as Ted Lindsay scored in a tip-in on the power play for Worsley's first goal against him. Alex Delvecchio and Gordie Howe also had goals. Marty Pavelich scored what proved to be the winning goal.
On November 8, 14,562 fans were in attendance at the Montreal Forum when the Canadiens beat Chicago 6-4. Elmer Lach scored his 200th career goal. Fifty seconds later, after Butch Bouchard fed him the puck, Rocket Richard rifled a puck past Al Rollins for his 325th goal, breaking Nels Stewart's unbeatable-record for career goals. "Old Poison" sent the following telegram: "Congratulations on breaking record. Hope you will hold it for many seasons. Best of luck to you and rest of team."
James F. Norris, owner of the Detroit Red Wings since 1932 and father of James D. Norris, Chicago owner, died of a heart attack December 4, 1952, and his daughter Marguerite became the first female owner of an NHL franchise since Ida Querrie owned the Toronto St. Patricks in 1923 when her husband Charlie transferred his stock in the team to her to avoid paying Eddie Livingstone any money in Livingstone's lawsuit against him.
When Terry Sawchuk was injured in practice, the Red Wings brought up Glenn Hall and he made his NHL debut December 27 and played well in a 2-2 tie with Montreal. He then picked up his first career shutout January 7, blanking Boston 4-0.
Red Wings General Manager Jack Adams got into some trouble January 18 when, after a 3-2 loss to Montreal, he entered the officials room and argued with referee Red Storey. Dick Irvin, coach of Montreal, was very upset over this and NHL president Clarence Campbell agreed, fining Adams $500.
The Gumper got his first career shutout January 11 in a rare Ranger pounding of his hometown Habs, 7-zip.
Butch Bouchard Night was held February 28 and he was presented with a car and a TV set. Detroit spoiled the night with a 4-3 victory.
There was consternation in Toronto when Max Bentley suddenly vanished and was reported back at his home in Delisle, Saskatchewan. Conn Smythe convinced him to return and he did, playing the remaining games of the schedule.
Ted Lindsay scored 4 goals March 2 as Detroit pummelled Boston again, 10-2.
Gordie Howe won the Hart Trophy over Al Rollins, but on the strength of Rollins' goaltending, Chicago made the playoffs for the first time since 1946.
For the fifth straight season the Detroit Red Wings lead the league in points.
[edit] Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
National Hockey League | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Detroit Red Wings | 70 | 36 | 16 | 18 | 90 | 222 | 133 | 645 |
Montreal Canadiens | 70 | 28 | 23 | 19 | 75 | 155 | 148 | 777 |
Boston Bruins | 70 | 28 | 29 | 13 | 69 | 152 | 172 | 528 |
Chicago Black Hawks | 70 | 27 | 28 | 15 | 69 | 169 | 175 | 736 |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 70 | 27 | 30 | 13 | 67 | 156 | 167 | 812 |
New York Rangers | 70 | 17 | 37 | 16 | 50 | 152 | 211 | 548 |
[edit] Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Player | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gordie Howe | Detroit Red Wings | 70 | 49 | 46 | 95 | 57 |
Ted Lindsay | Detroit Red Wings | 70 | 32 | 39 | 71 | 111 |
Maurice Richard | Montreal Canadiens | 70 | 28 | 33 | 61 | 112 |
Wally Hergesheimer | New York Rangers | 70 | 30 | 29 | 59 | 10 |
Alex Delvecchio | Detroit Red Wings | 70 | 16 | 43 | 59 | 28 |
Paul Ronty | New York Rangers | 70 | 16 | 38 | 54 | 20 |
[edit] Stanley Cup playoffs
[edit] Playoff bracket
Semifinals | Finals | |||||||
1 | Detroit Red Wings | 2 | ||||||
3 | Boston Bruins | 4 | ||||||
3 | Boston Bruins | 1 | ||||||
2 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | ||||||
2 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | ||||||
4 | Chicago Black Hawks | 3 |
[edit] NHL awards
[edit] See also
- List of Stanley Cup champions
- 6th National Hockey League All-Star Game
- National Hockey League All-Star Game
- 1952 in sports
- 1953 in sports
[edit] References
NHL seasons |
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1948-49 | 1949-50 | 1950-51 | 1951-52 | 1952-53 | 1953-54 | 1954-55 | 1955-56 | 1956-57 |
Current teams: Anaheim • Atlanta • Boston • Buffalo • Calgary • Carolina • Chicago • Colorado • Columbus • Dallas • Detroit • Edmonton • Florida • Los Angeles • Minnesota • Montreal • Nashville • New Jersey • NY Islanders • NY Rangers • Ottawa • Philadelphia • Phoenix • Pittsburgh • San Jose • St. Louis • Tampa Bay • Toronto • Vancouver • Washington
Trophies and awards: Stanley Cup • Prince of Wales • Clarence S. Campbell • Presidents' Trophy • Adams • Art Ross • Calder • Conn Smythe • Crozier • Hart • Jennings • King Clancy • Lady Byng • Masterton • Norris • Patrick • Pearson • Plus/Minus • Rocket Richard • Selke • Vezina
Defunct and relocated teams: Atlanta Flames • California/Oakland Golden Seals • Cleveland Barons • Colorado Rockies • Hamilton Tigers • Hartford Whalers • Kansas City Scouts • Minnesota North Stars • Montreal Maroons • Montreal Wanderers • New York/Brooklyn Americans • Ottawa Senators (original) • Philadelphia Quakers • Pittsburgh Pirates • Quebec Bulldogs • Quebec Nordiques • St. Louis Eagles • Winnipeg Jets