WA-NYR-TradeRumours Bear in mind that this episode took place during the 1953-54 season, and the Rangers had not made the playoffs dating back to 1950. To put it mildly, there was a yearning for another post-season spring in New York. Manager Frank Boucher had secured a first-rate – eventually Hall of Famer – goalie in Johnny Bower. Bower's defense was reasonably good and he boasted a future Calder Trophy-winner in Camille (The Eel) Henry. Boucher took a gamble and signed discarded Toronto center Max Bentley, a future Hall of Famer who had helped the Leafs to three Stanley Cups, but was considered over the hill by most savants. But Bentley was a marvelous power play quarterback and helped Henry to a four-goal game against top Detroit goalie Terry Sawchuk Early in 1954, Boucher talked Max's older brother, Doug Bentley, out of retirement. In their first game together as Rangers, Doug and Max – along with the old smoothie, Edgar Laprade – helped rout Boston, New York's rival for the final playoff berth. As the second half of the season unfolded, the Rangers and Bruins galloped neck and neck for the final playoff berth. What it came down to was a Blueshirt at Boston game in Beantown with the winner advancing to the postseason. At this point you must bear in mind that Max Bentley's teammate on Toronto's Cup-winners in 1949 and 1951 was none other than Cal Gardner. But by 1954 Gardner had become a Bruin and now he was facing his old buddy Max in this take-all game. "What I remembered about Max when we roomed together in Toronto," Gardner told me long after he retired, "was that Bentley was a hypochondriac. He either was sick or thinking he was gonna be sick. Even on the bench he'd have a towel around his neck." Now the teams were skating around the ice prior to the opening face-off. Remembering what a worrywart Max was about his health, Gardner passed Bentley on the first skate-around, and yelled, "Maxie, what's wrong; you look awful. Are you sick again?" Until then, Bentley was feeling fine. And then they passed once more and Gardner added, "Are you SURE you're okay; you don't look it to me." By the time warm ups were over, Gardner had Bentley thinking he was close to death. And just as Cal had hoped, Max played terribly, Gardner played well and that made the difference. The Bruins won and went on to the playoffs. As for Max, he went to see a doctor. He had plenty of time since Cal's carping helped knock New York down to fifth place and – GONZO! – out of the playoffs once more!
