Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Back In The Day...

Because I am old, the memory is failing. It's weird. I remember unusual things but forget things I should know. For example, for the life of me, I can never remember Ricard Wallin's first name. I had to look it up just now. But ask me who wore #11 for the Leafs in 71 and I know it was Guy Trottier. Some other memories are creeping up and therefore I ask, does anyone remember:

When hockey players had their sweater numbers on their skates?

When Paul Morris (the old announcer from the Gardens) would announce the goal/penalty, etc with just the last name of the players? Toronto Goal scored by Keon. Assist Baun and Horton.

When there was just one penalty box and the penalized players had to share it? It led to some interesting skirmishes in the box. And some poor old penalty timekeeper squeezed in between Fergie and Shack trying to break it up.

When the Leafs played Kladno of the Czech League? Tomas Kaberle's father played for the Czechs who beat the Leafs 8-5.

The Showdown Series...until Pal Hal refused to let Darryl Sittler compete in it with a Leaf sweater on.

When home games were Wednesday and Saturday night. CTV on Wednesday nights, Hockey Night in Canada on CBC on Saturdays.

Ward Cornell, Jack Dennett, Bob Goldham, Howie Meeker, and, of course, Foster and Bill Hewitt

Johnny Bower waving to the television camera whenever he skated out as one of the 3 Stars.

Eddie Shack's pirouette

Eddie Shack "fighting" all the St. Louis Blues. Actually skating away as fast as he could from all the Blues that were on the ice. Ending up on the bench and conducting the crowd with a "We Want Shack" cheer.

Tiger riding his stick.

Salming's horrifically cut face

Claire "the Milkman" Alexander

Brian "Spinner" Spencer

Bernie Parent leaving the Leafs for the Miami Screaming Eagles of the WHA

The CHUM witch? You'd probably have to be from Toronto in the 60's to remember her.

Tiger's "Done like dinner," quote.

Foster's "Henderson has scored for Canada" call.

Leaf fans booing the Superstar on the opposing team. Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, etc.

Table Hockey games with just the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leaf figures.

The Toros? The Ottawa Nationals? The Cleveland Barons? The Kansas City Scouts?

The Trans-Canada Line? Errol Thompson (PEI), Darryl Sittler (Ontario), Lanny McDonald (Alberta)

The HUE Line? Paul Henderson, Norm Ullman, Ron Ellis.

When hockey sweaters were referred to as just that, not jerseys.

When all the coaches wore fedoras.

When games were actually halted while goalies went for stitches.

January 18, 1964--Boston 11 Toronto 0....when the Bruins were the dregs of the league

When Saturday night games started at 8 o'clock

When Hockey Night in Canada came on at 8:30 p.m.

Trying to guess the score of the game as HNIC finally did come on at 8:30 p.m.

Lying in bed, listening to Foster call the Sunday night away game and dreaming that it could be you out on the ice.

Ahhh, memories.

2 comments:

  1. This is fantastic. Ive been a leaf fan since 1970 (of course, missing the Cup years), and so this list resonated immediately .... Guy Trottier’s number 11 is who I still think of first

    Ironically I came across this blog because I was reading lists of hockey line nicknames.... and the Trans Canada line is never ever mentioned Your blog is the only reference I could find. Loved that line!! Dont recall if they renamed it when Tiger took over left wing

    Andyaziz@rogers.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is fantastic. Ive been a leaf fan since 1970 (of course, missing the Cup years), and so this list resonated immediately .... Guy Trottier’s number 11 is who I still think of first

    Ironically I came across this blog because I was reading lists of hockey line nicknames.... and the Trans Canada line is never ever mentioned Your blog is the only reference I could find. Loved that line!! Dont recall if they renamed it when Tiger took over left wing

    Andyaziz@rogers.com

    ReplyDelete