Champion Toronto Maple Leafs | Start date April 8, 1947 | |
Location(s) Montreal, QC (Montreal Forum) (1,2,5)
Toronto, ON (Maple Leaf Gardens) (3,4,6) Coaches Toronto: Hap Day
Montreal: Dick Irvin Captains Toronto: Syl Apps
Montreal: Toe Blake Dates April 8 to April 19, 1947 Series-winning goal Ted Kennedy (14:39, third) Similar 1918 Stanley Cup Finals, 1964 Stanley Cup Finals, 1933 Stanley Cup Finals, 1920 Stanley Cup Finals, 1929 Stanley Cup Finals | ||
The 1947 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the defending champion Montreal Canadiens. The Maple Leafs would win the series four games to two. This was the first all-Canadian finals since 1935, when the since-folded Montreal Maroons defeated the Maple Leafs.
Contents
Paths to the final
Montreal defeated the Boston Bruins 4–1 to advance to the finals. Toronto defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4–1 to advance to the finals.
The series
Ted Kennedy was the leader with three goals including the Cup winner. Toronto had several new players in its lineup, including Howie Meeker, Bill Barilko and Bill Ezinicki, as Toronto sported the youngest NHL team to win the Cup to that time.
The series continued a competition that had gone on all season, with Montreal and Toronto finishing 1–2. Montreal coach Dick Irvin was mad at the beginning of the series, recalling a season-ending injury to Montreal forward Elmer Lach from a body check by Don Metz. Montreal started out strong in the series, defeating the Leafs 6–0 in the opener. Canadiens goaltender Bill Durnan reportedly asked "How did those guys get in the league?", although he denied saying those words later.
The second game was a rough game, with Maurice Richard knocking out Vic Lynn and Bill Ezinicki with high-sticks to the head. Richard earned himself over 20 minutes in penalties and a game misconduct and a suspension for game three. The Leafs took advantage of the power plays and defeated Montreal 4–0. Richard would earn himself a further $250 fine imposed by president Clarence Campbell.
Games three and four were played in Toronto, and Toronto won both to take a 3–1 series lead. Returning to the Forum for game five, Montreal won the game to extend the series. In the sixth game, Turk Broda showed outstanding goaltending, holding off Ken Reardon on a late breakaway, and the Leafs won 2–1 to win the Stanley Cup.
After the sixth game ended, the Cup was not presented to the Leafs. Clarence Campbell declined to present the Cup immediately, concerned over the spectre of fan violence.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto wins best-of-seven series 4–2.