Hockey and sports in general can be broken down into moments. Some moments are bigger than others and chart the course of a franchise and an entire league. These moments can define a team’s destiny for years to come. Last Word on Hockey’s Summer series looks at these defining moments. Today we featured the biggest defining moment of the Boston Bruins.
Top Boston Bruins Defining Moments in Team History
That Famous Bobby Orr Goal
We all know this would be the top defining moment for the Bruins. It’s a goal that has been immortalized in highlight reels, posters and even a statue. Most sports fans can pick out this moment if they have just a general knowledge of hockey. That goal by Bobby Orr is one of the most recognized moments in hockey history
Some Background
The Bruins were well on their way to hoisting the Stanley Cup as they had a 3-0 series lead on the St Louis Blues. Boston had outscored St Louis, 14-4, in the first three games of the Final. However, the Blues showed some fight and managed to get the lead twice. Despite this, the B’s were able to reel in the Blues and forced overtime thanks to a goal by Johnny Bucyk at 13 minutes, 28 seconds in the third period.
Game 4 was the first and only overtime game of the championship series. However, it would be a quick session and Orr would further cement his place in NHL lore.
The Moment
Orr received a pass from Derek Sanderson after going to the net and would manager to put the puck past Hall of Famer Glenn Hall to seal the game. It would clinch Boston’s first Stanley Cup in 29 years. Orr was in the third of his eight straight seasons that he won the Norris Trophy.
This moment would seal his place as one of the all-time great defencemen in hockey history. The reason Orr took flight was because Noel Picard’s stick got stuck in Orr’s skate. This sent Orr flying across the goal crease and the moment was caught on film.
The iconic goal has been dubbed as “The Flight” and the most-commonly known version is from the American CBS Network, which was called by Dan Kelly. Some thought the CBC broadcast would be the one that they would use. However, broadcaster Dick Irvin Jr., who was in the booth with legendary Danny Galvan, explained in his book that the surviving master tape was thrown away. (This was a common practice at a number of stations.)
The Aftermath
Orr’s goal would seal up the Conn Smythe for post-season MVP. The blueliner registered nine goals in that series for Boston.
Boston would go on and win the Cup again in the 1971-72 season. Orr would once again win the Conn Smythe as the Bruins dispacted the New York Rangers in six games.
The moment itself has been replayed countless times. However, it’s one that’s instantly know to fans around the world.
Orr would get elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979, which would make him the youngest inductee at the time. He would also be awarded the Order of Canada in that same year.
Other Boston Bruins Defining Moments
Too Many Men
Bruins fans knew this one was coming, too. On May 10, 1979, it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinal series between the Bruins and the rival Montreal Canadiens. Boston was leading late in the game, but that would not be the end result.
Canadiens captain Yvan Cournoyer would rally the troops and his team took advantage of their opening. Boston had took a 4-3 lead, but were called for a too many men penalty with 2:34 left. If you’ve watched “Coach’s Corner” with Don Cherry, the gesturing in the intro package is from that game.
Montreal would get a power-play goal from Guy Lafleur and force overtime. The Habs would finish the job thanks to Yvon Lambert‘s game-winner. The Habs would cement their place as the dominant team of the 1970s with their fourth straight Stanley Cup.
Cherry, who blamed himself for the penalty, was fired by Harry Sinden. Boston would have to wait until the 1980s to reach the Final, which they would lose both to the Edmonton Oilers. However, they would never reach championships heights until the next century.
The Wait is Finally Over
The Bruins ended their 39-year Stanley Cup drought in 2011. Boston would go to seven games against the Vancouver Canucks. However, the deciding game would be in British Columbia.
Vancouver won the President’s Trophy and were favoured to win the Cup. The Canucks raced out to a 2-0 series lead, but the Bruins would force Game 7.
Goalie Tim Thomas made 37 saves as Boston walked away with a 4-0 shutout to hoist the vaunted silver chalice. Legend has it that injured forward Nathan Horton sprinkled some Boston water on the ice to give the Bruins a dose of good luck.
Boston wouldn’t win another Cup with the core group. However, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara would be immortalized in Bruins’ history. Thomas would be awarded the Conn Smythe for his outstanding play in between the pipes.
Honourable Mentions for Other Boston Bruins Defining Moments
With the teams that having longer histories, we’ll mention more moments. Things such as Ray Bourque switching to number 77, the Kraut Line going to war for World War II. Willie O’Ree integrating the NHL, Boston’s first game since the Boston Marathon bombing and “It Was 4-1” also deserve mentioning.
Stick around all summer long as we look at more defining moments from each NHL team.
Main photo by: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
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