FEBRUARY 24, 1947
HOTLY CONTESTED RACE FOR FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT REACHES FEVER PITCH
In the waning weeks of the 1946-47 North American Hockey Confederation season, the battle for playoff supremacy has reached a fevered pitch. The race for seeding is as open as a spring flower, with teams vying for the coveted postseason berths. At the forefront of the standings stand the mighty Boston Bees, seemingly poised for glory with a three-point lead over the second-place Chicago Packers. The Bees, with two games in hand, exude confidence as they march toward postseason glory and the quest to hoist the Challenge Cup for the 5th time in the past 7 years.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Motors, positioned a distant seven points adrift from the Packers, find themselves comfortably perched six points above the New York Shamrocks. These Motor City stalwarts appear primed to put an end to their two-year playoff absence, but their aspirations for home ice advantage in the semifinals are but a fleeting dream.
The true spectacle unfolds in the struggle for the fourth and final playoff spot, reserved for the boldest of contenders vying for the illustrious Challenge Cup. The New York Shamrocks, gallant warriors of the ice, currently hold this coveted position with an impressive 37 points. However, looming just three points behind them are the Brooklyn Eagles, a team who, a mere year ago, celebrated victory in a paltry two encounters. These underdogs, absent from the playoffs for nearly a decade, have risen from the ashes, their hearts aflame with determination. With nine games remaining, two more than the fourth-placed Greenshirts, the Eagles have the opportunity to pen a remarkable tale of triumph.
But let us not forget the Montreal Valiants, whose valiant efforts have not gone unnoticed. These heroes of the ice where seemingly lost in their ways much of the season, but reminiscent of their astonishing upset against the top-seeded Toronto squad last year, have suddenly forged a path strewn with back to back triumphs. A recent two-game winning streak, the first in nearly two months, has rekindled their spirits. A mere four points behind the Shamrocks, the Valiants are set to clash with them in back-to-back battles next week, accompanied by their first of two remaining encounters with the Eagles. Should the Valiants maintain their fiery form, a tumultuous battle for that elusive final playoff berth shall ensue.
Oh, the excitement! The North American Hockey Confederation playoffs await, promising a spectacle of grand proportions. The race for glory, akin to a blooming garden, captivates the hearts and souls of all hockey aficionados. So, dear readers, brace yourselves for the climactic conclusion to this riveting tale of skill, passion, and unyielding determination.
Code:
NAHC STANINGS
TEAM GP W L T PTS
Boston Bees 39 24 9 6 54
Chicago Packers 41 22 12 7 51
Detroit Motors 39 18 14 7 43
New York Shamrocks 41 17 21 3 37
Brooklyn Eagles 39 14 19 6 34
Montreal Valiants 41 15 23 3 33
Toronto Dukes 40 11 23 6 28
SCORING LEADERS
NAME TEAM GP G A PTS
Tommy Burns CHI 41 28 31 59
Tommy Hart BOS 38 26 18 44
Marty Mahoney CHI 41 12 31 43
Quinton Pollack BKN 36 25 16 41
Orval Cabbell NY 38 20 21 41
Wilbur Chandler BOS 37 15 23 38
Laurel Albers NY 42 9 28 37
Wes Burns CHI 34 19 17 36
Bobbie Sauer TOR 40 17 19 36
Ed Delarue CHI 38 15 20 35
Graham Comeau DET 39 14 22 35
Tom Brescia NY 35 14 20 34
Garrett Ferrar DET 39 18 14 32
Sam Coates BKN 35 10 22 32
GOALIE LEADERS
NAME TEAM W L T ShO GAA
Pierre Melancon BOS 18-7-6 4 2.47
Norm Hanson CHI 21-12-4 3 2.53
Henri Chasse DET 18-14-7 5 2.59
Tom Brockers BKN 14-17-6 3 2.65
Etienne Tremblay NY 14-18-3 3 2.95
Millard Touhey MON 11-19-3 1 3.43
Gordie Broadway TOR 9-21-4 0 3.64
LAST WEEK'S RECAPS
penned by Oliver Chatterton
Tuesday February 18
In a dazzling display of third-period heroics, it was Trevor Parker who emerged as the shining star, gracing the ice at Dominion Gardens with his exquisite skill. With unmatched finesse, he unleashed a pair of awe-inspiring goals, elevating the Toronto Dukes to a hard-earned 4-4 tie against the formidable visiting Boston Bees. Meanwhile, in the grand metropolis of New York, the air crackled with anticipation as the Brooklyn Eagles soared into town, their wings fluttering with playoff purpose. It was Eddie Dallas and Norm Kessell who led the charge, their brilliance casting an ethereal glow upon the ice. Together, these titans of the game orchestrated a symphony of victory, each claiming three points on their noble quest. With unyielding determination, they guided the Brooklyn Eagles to a resounding 6-3 triumph over the valiant Shamrocks,
Thursday February 20
Millard Touhey, the guardian of the Montreal Valiants' net, stood as an immovable force against the relentless onslaught from the Toronto Dukes. Like a gallant knight, he turned aside all 20 shots, securing his first shutout of the season and etching his name in the annals of glory. The Valiants, inspired by their indomitable netminder, marched forth to a resounding 4-0 victory. Glen Whitley, a maestro on the ice, adorned the scoresheet with a goal and a pair of timely assists, weaving a tapestry of triumph for the Valiants. In Chicago, it was defenseman Pete Moreau who dazzled the audience, his performance a testament to the greatness of the sport. With a goal and two assists, he orchestrated a symphony of success, propelling the Packers to a commanding 4-1 triumph over the valiant Brooklyn squad.
Saturday February 22
On this remarkable Saturday, the heavens themselves smiled upon the city of Montreal as the unthinkable unfolded on the icy stage -the previously flailing Montreal Valiants strung together a two-game winning streak for the first time in nearly two months, with a stunning 4-2 upset against the formidable Chicago squad. Like a fortress impenetrable, Millard Touhey, the guardian of the Valiants' net, stood tall against a barrage of shots, making an astounding 36 saves. Three ethereal first-period goals became the pillars of victory, holding firm amidst the tempestuous storm. The Valiants' triumph, their second in a row, broke the shackles of destiny, for they had claimed victory in just four of their previous 19 battles. In another grand clash, the Detroit Motors, fueled by an unstoppable resolve, blanked the Toronto Dukes with a resounding 4-0 victory. Dave Bradley, a shining star of the evening, showcased his prowess with two glorious goals and an additional assist. Miles Barfield, the master of playmaking, added to the symphony of triumph with three brilliant assists. Henri Chasse, the sentinel between the pipes, scarcely broke a sweat, securing his league-leading fifth shutout of the season as the Dukes managed a mere 14 shots against the mighty Motors' net.
Sunday February 23
As the sun graced the sky on this blessed Sunday, the Boston Bees, with hearts aflame, extended their unbeaten streak to a remarkable 10 games. In a thrilling battle, they clipped the wings of the valiant Brooklyn squad, emerging triumphant with a slender 2-1 victory. Daniel Fortin, a virtuoso of the ice, crafted a masterpiece with a goal and a sublime assist, while Benton Watson, the harbinger of success, lent his hand in both Bees' tallies. Oh, the drama that unfolded at Dominion Gardens! The Toronto Dukes and the Detroit Motors, locked in a fierce defensive contest, showcased their might on the grand stage. Bobbie Sauer, with his unparalleled timing, struck with just one second remaining in the first period, infusing the atmosphere with electricity. Phil Denman, an artist of the game, answered the call of destiny, igniting the hopes of the Dukes early in the third. The battle reached its zenith, and yet, the warriors could not be separated. In a testament to their valiance, the clash ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw, leaving the spectators awestruck. Finally in Chicago, Lakeside Auditorium bore witness to a riveting showdown in which the hometown Packers skated to a 2-2 draw with the New York Shamrocks. In this grand spectacle, it was Bernie Ferrar, playing the surprising role of hometown hero, who etched his name upon the scoresheet not once, but twice. Like a maestro of destiny, he orchestrated the Packers' offense with finesse, delivering both goals that ignited the passions of the fervent crowd.
UPCOMING GAMES
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 25
Boston at New York
Brooklyn at Toronto
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27
Chicago at Detroit
New York at Montreal
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28
Detroit at Brooklyn
SATURDAY MARCH 1
Montreal at New York
Toronto at Boston
SUNDAY MARCH 2
Chicago at Boston
Detroit at New York
Brooklyn at Montreal
BEST DUKES CAN HOPE FOR IS TO RUIN SOMEONE ELSE'S DAY
Special from Toronto Mail & Empire
Toronto Dukes fans only hope is that the team shows some signs of life over the final three weeks to spoil other teams playoff chances. The season started poorly then got worse, with Toronto displaying by far the most porous defense in the NAHC. A dressing room in chaos, injuries, and losing -lots of losing- were the features of the once feared Dukes.
Former management also put the team in a hole by dealing draft picks. The fans are screaming that heads should roll after the conclusion of the season. Dukes front office seems willing to oblige, offering hints that change is coming but also cautions the fans that there may be a few more lean years until they can restock the system.
Toronto may also dabble in the free agent market but only in a minor way, the line from management is "There are no quick fixes out there, we need to build from within unfortunately that cupboard is empty at the present time." Dukes fans may not have seen the bottom, yet.
OTHER HEADLINES THIS WEEK
- We have another new welterweight boxing champion of the world after Harold Stephens scored a unanimous decision over Mark Westlake just 5 months after Westlake defeated the Jacksonville Jackhammer Dennis O'Keefe to claim the crown.
- Baseball spring training is fast approaching and the Brooklyn Kings got an early start with a couple of trades this week to bring in 8-time All-Star infielder Hank Barnett and pitcher Johnny Slaney.
- In an effort to eliminate any fears of 'fixing' ballgames, FABL clubs will use police and private detectives to ensure all gamblers, bookies and other undesirables are barred from ballparks. This after three gamblers were convicted following an unsuccessful attempt to influence Decembers American Football Association championship game.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee voted, 9 to 1, for a proposed constitutional amendment to limit presidential tenure to two full terms of four years each.
Full national sports coverage is available in this week's edition of
THIS WEEK IN FIGMENT BASEBALL.