1943–44 Montreal Canadiens season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=1943–44
Team=Montreal Canadiens
Conference=
ConferenceRank=
Division=NHL
DivisionRank=1st
Record=38–5–7
HomeRecord=
RoadRecord=
GoalsFor=234
GoalsAgainst=109
GeneralManager=
Coach=Dick Irvin
Captain=Toe Blake
AltCaptain=
Arena=Montreal Forum
Attendance=
GoalsLeader=Maurice Richard (32)
AssistsLeader=Elmer Lach (48)
PointsLeader=Elmer Lach (72)
PIMLeader=Mike McMahon (98)
WinsLeader=
GAALeader=
StanleyCup=yesThe 1943–44 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 33rd season, 26th in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team would win the Stanley Cup for the fifth time. Bill Durnan would join the club as its new goaltender and he won the Vezina Trophy in his rookie season. [http://habslegends.blogspot.com/2006/05/bill-durnan.html]

Offseason

At the Habs' training camp in 1943, Canadiens manager Tommy Gorman settled on Durnan as his goalie. Durnan stated that he was happy as an amateur and happy with less money if it meant avoiding the stress of the professional game. On opening night, Durnan was not yet signed. Ten minutes before the first faceoff, he spoke with Gorman and reached a deal. Durnan signed the contract and played in the game. The result was a 2-2 draw with the Boston Bruins. The rookie netminder was a few months shy of his 29th birthday. [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196402&type=Player&page=bio&list=#photo]

Regular season

Some of Durnan’s teammates included the Punch Line of Elmer Lach, Rocket Richard and Toe Blake. Durnan was a key element that took Montreal back to the Stanley Cup after 13 years of frustration. Durnan led the league in games played, wins and goals-against average in the regular season. [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196402&type=Player&page=bio&list=#photo]

eason standings

Goaltending

"Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against"

Playoffs

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, Durnan allowed only 1.53 goals per game as the Canadiens skated to the title. At season’s end, Durnan was awarded the Vezina Trophy, the first rookie to win the award, and was selected to the league's First All-Star Team. [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196402&type=Player&page=bio&list=#photo]

tanley Cup Finals

Maurice 'Rocket' Richard made his Stanley Cup debut with a five goal performance in the series, including a hat-trick in game two. The Punch Line of Richard, Elmer Lach and Toe Blake scored 10 of the Canadiens 16 goals. Blake scored the Cup winner in overtime. In the same overtime, Bill Durnan stopped the first penalty shot awarded in the finals, awarded to Virgil Johnson.

Chicago Black Hawks vs. Montreal Canadiens"Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–0."

1944 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup Champions

Toe Blake (captain), Maurice Richard, Elmer Lach, Ray Getliffe, Murph Chamberlain, Phil Watson, Butch Bouchard, Glen Harmon, Buddy O'Connor, Gerald Heffernan, Mike McMahon, Leo Lamoureux, Fernand Majeau, Bob Fillion, Bill Durnan, Tommy Gorman (manager), Dick Irvin (coach), Ernie Cook (trainer)

Awards and records

*Bill Durnan, Vezina Trophy
*Bill Durnan, NHL First Team All-Star
*Emile "Butch" Bouchard, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star
*Elmer Lach, Centre, NHL Second Team All-Star
*Maurice Richard, Right Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star
*Dick Irvin, Coach, NHL First Team All-Star

References

* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000451944.html Canadiens on Hockey Database]

ee also

* 1943–44 NHL season