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History ‘n’ Hockey: The Maurice Richard Riot

On this day in Canadian history, in 1955, the “Richard Riot” erupted in Montreal.
170315_Maurice_richard_profile
Maurice “the Rocket” Richard.

On this day in Canadian history, in 1955, the “Richard Riot” erupted in Montreal. During a game against the Bruins on March 13, Maurice “the Rocket” Richard went berserk, hitting Boston defender Hal Laycoe in the head with his stick and punching a linesman unconscious.

Consequently, he was suspended by NHL president, Clarence Campbell, for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. When Campbell attended Montreal’s next game against Detroit on March 17, fans pelted him with eggs, tomatoes and even pennies. The raucous spilled out of the Forum after a fan detonated a tear gas canister in the arena and pandemonium ensued on the streets of Montreal.

Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
2014-15 Records: OTT 33-24-11 (5th in the Atlantic); CAR 26-34-8 (8th in the Metropolitan)
Leading Scorers: Erik Karlsson (18G, 36A); Justin Faulk (14G, 31A)
Ottawa has been red hot recently, but Carolina has their number. In 20 meetings over the past five seasons, the Senators are 7-11-2 against the Hurricanes. More noteworthy, Ottawa has been abysmal in Carolina. In nine meetings, the Senators have been outscored 32 to 12 and have gone 1-7-1 in the process. They have not won in Raleigh since Oct. 25 2011, the same time you would have been listening to Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera’s “Moves Like Jagger.”
Prediction: Carolina by 1

Montreal Canadiens at Florida Panthers, 7:30 p.m.
2014-15 Records: MTL 43-20-7 (1st in the Atlantic); FLA 31-24-14 (6th in the Atlantic)
Leading Scorers: Max Pacioretty (33G, 26A); Nick Bjugstad (24G, 18A)
If Montreal loses tonight, fans will have every reason to riot. The Canadiens are coming off of their fourth loss to Tampa this year and another game where the team failed to score more than two goals. Florida is one of the lowest scoring teams in the league and could be without the services of goaltender Roberto Luongo again. Even if Montreal opts to start backup Dustin Tokarski tonight, the Canadiens need to find a way to provide better run support for their goalies. As stellar as Carey Price has been this year, this type of play will be unsustainable in the playoffs.
Prediction: Montreal by 1

San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
2014-15 Records: SJS 34-27-8 (5th in the Pacific); WPG 34-23-12 (5th in the Central)
Leading Scorers: Joe Pavelski (32G, 30A); Andrew Ladd (23G, 32A)
San Jose is desperately trying to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2003, but, recently, the focus has been on a spat between the team’s general manager, Doug Wilson, and stalwart Joe Thornton. After Wilson attempted to explain why the team stripped Thornton of the captaincy in the offseason, Thornton fired back, suggesting his GM needed to “shut his mouth.” The Sharks certainly don’t need this kind of drama at a pivotal moment in franchise history.
Prediction: Winnipeg by 1

St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
2014-15 Records: STL 43-19-5 (1st in the Central); CGY 38-26-5 (3rd in the Pacific)
Leading Scorers: Vladimir Tarasenko (34G, 33A); Jiri Hudler (25G, 35A)
Tonight will be the second meeting between the Blues and Flames this season. They previously met on Oct. 11 in St. Louis, with the home team dispatching the visiting squad in a 4-1 victory. Depending on how the Western Conference playoff seeding is finalized, these two could meet in the first round. This depends on if St. Louis captures the Central Division and/or if Calgary drops to a wildcard spot. Could tonight’s game be a preview of things to come in April?
Prediction: St. Louis by 1

Philadelphia Flyers at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
2014-15 Records: PHI 29-27-15 (5th in the Metropolitan); VAN 39-25-4 (2nd in the Pacific)
Leading Scorers: Jakub Voracek (21G, 48A); Henrik Sedin (15G, 45A)
For tonight’s game, the Canucks are honouring Pat Quinn, a fitting tribute to the late coaching legend known as the “Big Irishman.” Quinn actually had strong ties to both organizations. As the head coach of the Flyers, he presided over the longest undefeated streak in league history (35 games), advanced the team to the Stanley Cup Final, and won the Jack Adams Award. But Quinn’s connection to Vancouver runs even deeper. He played there from 1970-1972 and was instrumental as coach, president, and general manager of the organization. As coach, he won his second Jack Adams with Vancouver in 1992 and went to the Stanley Cup Final in 1994. As GM and president, Quinn was responsible for drafting Trevor Linden and Pavel Bure, and cementing the franchise in Vancouver.
Prediction: Vancouver by 1

Last Minute of Play:
As angry fans poured out onto Rue Sainte-Catherine things turned violent. It was estimated that the riot raged for seven hours and in the process, more than 50 stores had their windows broken and a number of cars were overturned. The following morning, more than 100 people were in police custody and nearly 40 had suffered injuries. Due to the chaos, the game was forfeited that night and the Red Wings were credited with a 4-1 victory. Montreal went on to face Detroit in the 1955 Stanley Cup Final, and, despite lacking their star forward, the Habs brought the series to seven games before coming up short. While Richard’s suspension was rightfully deserved, he ultimately had the last laugh. When he resumed his role with the Canadiens the following season, he helped the team capture its first of five consecutive Stanley Cups, a league record that still stands today.


Current Record: 7-6


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