Chicago Black Hawks jumped out to a 3-1 first-period lead over the Montreal Canadiens but had to settle for a 3-3 tie in one of three National Hockey League games played last night.  In the other games, New York tipped Toronto 4-3 and Detroit downed Boston 4-1.

Goals by Kenny Wharram, Johnny McKenzie and Stan Mikita had the Hawks in front of the Canadiens after one period in Montreal.  John Ferguson had put the Canadiens on the board.

Johnny McKenzie

After a scoreless second period, Henri Richard and Dick Duff scored just six minutes apart in the final frame to draw Montreal even.  But looking at the scoring summary doesn’t tell the entire story of this one.

“By the way our team played in the first two periods, we never should have been behind.  At the same time, it’s kind of hard to find fault with that kind of comeback.”  That was how Montreal coach Toe Blake described his team’s play.

Canadiens held a wide edge in play over the first 40 minutes, yet still trailed.  Only the brilliance of Chicago goalkeeper Glenn Hall kept the visitors in front. Hall was especially sharp in the second, as Montreal out-shot Chicago 9-2 but failed to find the back of the net.

The Hawks came alive in the final frame, pumping 16 shots at Montreal goalie Charlie Hodge.  Hodge was equal to them all, and his standout work in the early part of the period kept the Habs close enough until Richard and Duff performed their timely heroics.

The tying goal by Duff came on some hard work by linemates Jimmy Roberts and Jean Beliveau.  Roberts did the spade work with some strong bodychecking that stripped Pierre Pilote of the Hawks of the puck.  He passed it up to Beliveau who, upon entering the Chicago zone, was well-tied up by big Moose Vasko.  Beliveau, however, found a way to get it to Duff, who snapped a 15-footer past Hall, who had no chance on the play.

Jim Roberts did the leg work on the tying goal by Duff.

Chicago coach Billy Reay credited Hodge with saving the game for Montreal.  “Hodge was making those big saves and they were skating back at us.  Phil Esposito had the game in the bag late in the second period but Hodge beat him with that great leg save.”

Hadfield lifts Rangers

Left-winger Vic Hadfield scored his 15th goal of the season with less than five-and-a-half minutes to play to give the Rangers their win at Maple Leaf Gardens.  The power-play goal came on a nice setup by Don Marshall and completed a comeback that erased a 3-2 Toronto lead.

Vic Hadfield scored the winner against the Leafs.

Rod Seiling, the young defenceman who was the key to last year’s blockbuster trade that cost the Rangers Andy Bathgate, scored twice for New York.  They were the second and third goals of his rookie campaign.  Jean Ratelle had the other marker for the visitors.

Dave Keon was the best of the Leafs, dangerous all night and rock-solid defensively.  He notched a pair of goals for Toronto, with rookie Ron Ellis getting the other.

Ranger goalie Marcel Paille made 27 saves, and was a key reason the New Yorkers took two points from the Leafs.  He wasn’t even supposed to play, but Jacques Plante suffered a knee injury just before the game when he slipped on some ice on the way to the rink.

Bruins no trouble for Wings

Bruce MacGregor reached the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his young career as the Red Wings got past the Bruins.  MacGregor’s milestone marker was the game-winner, and came on a nice pass from Norm Ullman at 15:10 of the second period.  Ullman also had assists on goals by Floyd Smith and Alex Delvecchio in the closing minutes of the third period.  Gord Howe had the opening goal for the Red Wings.

Bruce MacGregor reached 20 goals for the first time in his career.

Ed Westfall was the only Boston goal-getter.