Teeder's last game(?) on LeafsTV Jan 18 and 19

by 1967ers on Jan 18, 2011 11:05 AM EST

Today (Jan 18) at 8:00 p.m., tonight at 12:30 a.m. and tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., LeafsTV will be showing a Leafs/Rangers game from Mar. 16, 1957. Given that the games were not broadcast in their entirety at that time, this will pick up in the second period.

The Leafs paste the Rangers 14-1, but this is notable because Ted Kennedy will pick up four assists and these are the last points of his NHL career. He gets one of them in the first, so three might be part of this broadcast.

Kennedy had retired for the first time in 1955 and the Leafs went into serious transition mode. In 1956-57, though, they were torn apart by injuries, so he made a comeback in December. In 30 games, he had 22 points. His skating, somewhat laboured at the best of times, wasn't really where it needed to be. At the end of the season, the Leafs wanted to take a look at a kid named Frank Mahovlich, so Kennedy retired again. Mahovlich's first Leaf practice was Kennedy's last.

In the clip below, they suggest that Mar.16 was his last game. I think it's actually the next one, also a Leaf win over the Rangers, the following night. This would have left three games in the schedule, which matches what Mahovlich played in 1956-57.

Either way, this is the first time I've ever seen a game broadcast on LeafsTV that's old enough to have Kennedy in the lineup. It'll be the first chance to watch him in action.

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Living here in Ottawa precludes me from watching Leafs TV, but we do get Senators TV (aka CPAC).

So what was your favourite part of the broadcast? The Foster Hewitt call, the lack of not only advertising, but even all the other paint that we see on modern ice, or the nascent instant replay technology invented by HNIC?

I was wondering the other day, if Teeder were alive today, what do you think he’d say about the lack of any Bickell awards being presented these past 12 years? And other than honouring Sundin a second time, who, if anyone, do you think should have won the prize at any point this century?

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jan 20, 2011 12:06 AM EST reply actions

Crazy enough

Haven’t got to watch it. We don’t actually have LeafsTV, so I had someone tape it for me. Yesterday I finally got the last of the fridge magnets out of the VCR (toddler in the house – fridge magnets are better than yogurt), but I’ve been sick as a dog and haven’t been able to sit down long enough to enjoy it.

Usually with these things, I just like to watch the players that I never got to see – whether on the Leafs or otherwise. I’ll try to watch any Boston game I can if Orr is playing, or an old Habs game with Harvey or the Rocket. I’m happy they’ve ventured into 1956-57. It seems like they’re working backwards. I’d love to see anything from the early ’50s when the last of the ’40s Leafs were still around.

Kind of surprised that there hasn’t been a winner in a dozen years. You look at the goaltending performances this team has had, the play of Sundin, even a McCabe in his big years. It’s not like all of those teams were dogs. I’m not sure what they’re waiting for.

Leaf, the universe and everything.
Now in year 44 of the 42-year saga.

by 1967ers on Jan 21, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

Still trying to see if I can find anything on Ted Kennedy playing the Sunday game in New York.. He’s listed in the lineup published by The Globe & Mail and The New York Times but that doesn’t really confirm if he had any ice time. Conn Smythe had ordered that Kennedy be left in Toronto yet had to change that plan when Gerry James wrenched his knee in the 14-1 win on Saturday.

by Deceptions on Jan 23, 2011 11:39 AM EST reply actions