#18: Toronto begins improbable run, defeats Chicago-1967 Semi-Final
In the 1966-67 season the Leafs were regarded as a team with the “over the hill gang” label. The average age of the team was 31 years old. Barely anyone expected Toronto to become a force that year, especially when they entered the postseason. Toronto finished with a record of 32-27-11, totaling only 75 points in a 70 game season.
They were faced against the best team in the league, the Chicago Blackhawks. The organization representing Chi-Town had a 41-17-12 record, good enough for 94 points. They were led by the dynamic duo of Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull. Goalies Glenn Hall and Dennis Dejordy were the leagues best goalie tandem as they posted a .922 and .923 save percentage respectively.
After 4 games, the series was tied at 2. However, the Maple Leafs took over in game 5. Trailing 2-1 in the first period. However, at the 14:14 mark, Frank Mahovlich scored on the power play to notch his thrid goal of the series. In the thrid period, the Leafs, still in a 2-2 tie, salted the game away as Pete Stemkowski and Jim Pappin scored to give a 4-2 win, putting Toronto ahead 3 games to 2.
In game 6, Terry Sawchuk would stop 34 of 35 shots. Brian Conacher scored twice and Pete Stemkowski would once again find himself on the score sheet delivering the final dagger to Chicago as he gave Toronto a 3-1 lead in the third period. Toronto would keep Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita in check and they were able to hold on and clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Final.
Toronto would use the momentum and defeat the Montreal Canadiens in the Final in six games. Terry Sawchuck backstopped them to another series clinching effort in game 6.