Tuesday, May 17, 2016
The Puck
The Puck
Danny Lewicki and Daniel Donohue
It was on April 21st, in 1951. The Canadiens
and the Leafs battled in the Stanley Maple Leaf
Gardens Toronto
Gerry McNeil
Old hockey fans, myself included, know the rest of the
story. That was the last goal Barilko ever scored, his last time on that sheet
of ice. In late August, Barilko headed out to Quebec Cochrane ,
Ontario
At least two books have been written about the tragedy:
Kevin Shea’s Without a Trace, and John Melady’s The Bill Barilko
Story. Kingston Mission
Cup.
Bill Barilko
Barilko played his first game for the Leafs in 1947. He
had been with the Hollywood Wolves in the Pacific
Coast
Daniel Donohue’s father and grandfather were at that game
when Barilko scored. His grandfather had season tickets, which he used
occasionally. He often doled them out to his patrons at his bar near Hamilton
There was no glass around the arena. Patrons sitting
behind the net were protected: otherwise, those seated at ice level paid
attention during the play. Pucks flew over the boards easily, as did players,
on occasion.
Naturally, there was mayhem on the ice when Barilko
scored. Daniel Donohue’s father sized up the situation, got his grandfather’s
permission, and went into action. He jumped over the boards, raced to the Montreal
Donohue told that story recently at the monthly gathering
of NHL Alumni and friends at the Shopsy’s in Markham Toronto
Danny Lewicki
Danny Lewicki was impressed with the story. He played for
the Leafs in that game. It was Lewicki’s first year with the Leafs. Both he and
Barilko were of Ukranian descent, both from Timmins Quebec
There was some discussion as to the value of the puck,
once its authentication is confirmed. Your guess is as good as mine. But if it
were the ball that won the World Series for the New
York
Another fine tale from the monthly Monday luncheons.
James Hurst
# posted by James Hurst @ 9:29 AM 
