A look back at some fascinating Rangers history.
Everyone loves a good fight but not every fight is normal. Here's a good example involving the Beloved Blueshirts:
LEAPIN' LOUIE VS. THE ROCKET. During the late 1950's the Rangers were enjoying a revival while the Canadiens were en route to five consecutive Stanley Cups. Two frequent combatants were Habs icon Maurice (The Rocket) Richard and Blueshirts bad boy Lou (Leapin' Louie Fontinato.)
The Rocket could fight as well as score but on this night at The Garden, Richard had a large bandage on his forehead, courtesy of a high stick the previous night against the Red Wings.
It was a fair and even fight until Louie's fist crashed against Rocket's bandage-covered forehead. Off came the bandage and out drooled the blood which made it look like a Fonty victory; which it was not.
The Rangers p.r. department – especially my boss Herb Goren – was thrilled because Herb had been promoting Louie as the NHL Heavyweight champion. Coincidentally, this was the night that famed Herald Tribune columnist Red Smith attended his one annual game.
Smith, who loved boxing, enjoyed the bout and made Goren happy with a whole column on Louie vs. Rocket. (I have it in my scrapbook.) It was called "Roman Circus."
It was such an interesting fight and everyone – including The Maven – forgot the score, but I do know that the Blueshirts won!
That is, they got a whole Red Smith column on hockey. That was as rare as the NHL's skinniest player, 135 pound Camille (The Eel) Henry, putting on weight!