The Chicago Black Hawks kept their slim title hopes alive last night with a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins. The Hawks are two points behind Montreal with two games to play. Montreal, however, has three matches left. Montreal is at Toronto tonight.

Black Hawks grabbed a 2-0 lead on goals by Lou Angotti and Doug Mohns. The Bruins refused to lay down and battled back to tie things up. Ron Stewart notched his 17^th, followed by John Bucyk’s 27^th to even things up at 2-2.

Hay Scores Winner

With just nine seconds left in the second period, Bill Hay scored the eventual game winner for Chicago. It was his 20^th goal of the season.

Phil Esposito 

Phil Esposito put in the insurance goal at 9:05 of the final period. It was his 27^th of the year.

Bucyk’s goal created a controversy that ended up in Hawks goalie Glenn Hall being assessed a 10-minute misconduct. The Bruins made a clearing pass for which linesman Brian Sopp signalled an icing call. However, the other linesman, John D’Amico waved off the call.

Unfortunately, Hall did not see D’Amico’s signal and left the puck unattended. Bucyk swooped in, picked up the loose disk and deposited it behind the Hawks’ netminder who was completely unaware the play was still live.

Hall raced out to the officials and vigorously protested the goal. Referee Bill Friday tagged Hall with the misconduct. Several fights developed during the goal discussion and Don Awrey of Boston and Matt Ravlich of the Hawks were sent off with minors and majors.

Bobby Hull, the NHL’s leading point-getter, was kept from scoring, but he did manage an assist on Hay’s goal. That gives him 95 points, one shy of the league record of 96.

Marlies Lead Rangers

Al Osborne netted the game-winner.

The Toronto Marlboros took the lead over the Kitchener Rangers in their Ontario Hockey Association semi-final playoff series last night. The Marlies scored a 4-1 win at Kitchener, giving them a 3-2 lead in games, with one game tied.  Toronto needs only one point to clinch and move on to the finals against the Oshawa Generals.

The teams traded goals in the first period. Wayne Carleton gave Toronto a 1-0 lead at 1:51 before Walter Tkaczuk tied it up for the Rangers less than two minutes later.

The scored remained even in the tensely played game until just before the middle stanza ended. Al Osborne scored at 19:13 to make it 2-1 Toronto after 40 minutes.

The Marlies took over the third and only the fine play of Rangers goalie Gary Kurt kept the score respectable. Tom Martin connected for Toronto at 7:43 to up the lead to two goals. Ten minutes later Jim Keon scored for Marlboros to put the game out of reach.

Both Kurt and Toronto goalie Al Smith were outstanding. Each made numerous spectacular saves to keep the game close. Kurt had 33 stops while Smith blocked 25.

Leafs, Habs Agree to Afternoon Playoffs

With the National Broadcasting Company announcing that it will broadcast National Hockey League playoff games across the United States in colour, the two Canadian clubs made a significant announcement of their own.

In a huge break with tradition, both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens have agreed to play Sunday afternoon playoff games to accommodate the U.S. network. The teams said they would switch one Saturday evening game each per series to Sunday afternoon.

NBC says it will show five Stanley Cup matches. If certain technological problems can be overcome, all will be broadcast in colour.

Notes:

Ted Lindsay takes a look at the eye patch sported by Floyd Smith

• Detroit Red Wings are hoping Floyd Smith’s eye injury won’t keep him out of the lineup very long. Smith was accidentally struck in the eye by Leo Boivin’s stick during practice.
• Captain Bob Nevin has been named the New York Rangers MVP for this season. With three games to play Nevin has 28 goals and 33 assists.
• Boston Bruins have returned winger Wayne Rivers to Hershey of the AHL. He had a goal and an assist in three games.
• San Francisco Seals of the WHL have lost goalie Jack McCartan with strained left knee ligaments.
• Dick Gamble of the Rochester Americans continues to lead the AHL scoring race. He has 42 goals and 46 assists for 88 points, three more than Cleland Mortson of the Quebec Aces.
• Montreal Canadiens notified season ticket subscribers of the sale of playoff tickets. Top price is $6 with terrace seats the least expensive at $2.50.
• Billy McNeill is still the leading scorer in the Western Hockey League. He has 34 goals and 57 assists for 91 points. Cliff Schmautz is in second place, three points back.
• Rangers’ Jean Ratelle has been sidelined with a sprained back. Replacing him in the lineup is Larry Mickey, who was called up from the Minnesota Rangers of the CPHL.