Sabres eliminate Montreal in six games to advance
The Buffalo Sabres made their first Stanley Cup Final on this day 49 years ago, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 at the Forum in Game 6. Buffalo went on to play the Philadelphia Flyers, who had to go a full seven games with the upstart New York Islanders, and Philadelphia led by goalie Bernie Parent won their second straight Cup in six games.
Written for the Hockey News by Dick Johnston for the edition on May 23, 1975
Whether you like the guy or hate him, you have to admit that this best of all Buffalo Sabres hockey teams is the product of Punch Imlach. Imlach took a bunch of castoffs in 1970, plus Gil Perreault, and in five years made it into one of the best clubs in the National Hockey League.
This year, when the Sabres turned in their best performance ever, only Perreault and goalie Roger Crozier were left from the first Buffalo club that reported at training camp in Peterborough. Ont. in September, 1970.
Not a single player acquired in the 1970 expansion draft was still with the club. Perreault was Imlach’s first choice in the amateur draft at the meetings that June and Crozier was the result of Imlach’s first trade as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres. Punch acquired the veteran goaltender from the Detroit Red Wings for Tom Webster. Buffalo’s first pick in the expansion draft.
Other than Perreault and Crozier, the 1974-75 Buffalo team, that won the Norris Division and the Prince of Wales Conference, was the result of Imlach’s trades and drafts.
John Andersen, Buffalo’s scouting director, and his staff, also deserve a, good deal of credit for the team Punch has built.
Look at the players on this year’s club who were obtained through the amateur draft. No less than eight. Only the draft of 1973 failed to produce a regular on this season’s team.
Perreault is the only remaining player from the 1970 junior draft, but what a representative he is. Imlach is quick to point out that luck played a large part in his acquiring the speedy, fancy-skating center who has become one of the most exciting players in the NHL. The Sabres won the right to pick Perreault on the spin of a carnival wheel in the carnival-like atmosphere of the 1970 NHL meetings.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIE4E0voC94[/embed]
In 1971 the Sabres got Rick Martin, who has, scored more than 50 goals the last two seasons, and Craig Ramsay, one of the best two-way players in hockey. Also, it might be mentioned, Bill Hajt, an unsung defenseman who, as an N.H.L. rookie this year, is one of the best of the Buffalo backliners.
In 1972 the Sabres got Jim Schoenfeld, the 22-year-old team captain, youngest captain in the NHL, and another backliner. Larry Carriere. In the sixth round they picked a collegian named Peter McNab, who played another year at Denver University, and as an NHL rookie this season scored more than 20 goals in 53 games.
Danny Gare, a 30-plus goal scorer during the regular season and one of the club’s top goal scorers in the playoffs, came from the 1974 draft, along with defenseman Lee Fogolin, who didn’t play much except when other backliners were injured, but who filled in, more than adequately when needed.
Punch’s trades helped the Sabres immeasurably. Rene Robert, for instance, obtained from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Eddie Shack, teamed with Perreault and Martin to make the French Connection one of the most exciting lines in hockey and the highest-scoring combination in the NHL this season.
Fred Stanfield, acquired from the Minnesota North Stars this season for Norm Gratton and future considerations, became a key member of the club.
Jerry Korab and Josh Guevremont, received from the Vancouver Canucks, improved the Buffalo defense tremendously, especially in the offensive aspects of defense.
Brian Spencer, from the New York Islanders, and Larry Mickey, from the Philadelphia Flyers, are the other players on this season’s club who helped the Sabres make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs and do so well in postseason play.
Two players were free agents when they joined the Sabres—goaltender Gary Bromley and right winger Rick Dudley. Goalie Gerry Desjardins was a returnee from the World Hockey Association.
LATEST THN BUFFALO STORIES
Sabres Say They Are Ready For Accountability