Rookie goalie Jack Norris of the Boston Bruins put on a spectacular goaltending display as his team upset the powerful Chicago Black Hawks 2-1 last night in Chicago.  The Chicago loss all but eliminated them from contention for first place in the National Hockey League standings.

Norris made 33 saves for the Bruins, and missed his second shutout in three games when Camille Henry of the Black Hawks scored with only two seconds left on the clock.   He was especially great in the second period when he made 17 saves, four of them on Bobby Hull.  Over 10,000 Chicago fans, appreciative of the young netminder’s effort, gave him a standing ovation at the end of the contest.

The win for the Bruins was the 19th of the season, their highest total in five years.

After a scoreless first period, John Bucyk’s 23rd goal of the season opened the scoring for the Bruins at 9:36 of the middle stanza.  He recovered the puck after a long shot by Bob Woytowich which had missed the Chicago cage.  He tucked it into the far corner before Hawks’ goalie Glenn Hall could regain his position.

Johnny Bucyk scored his 23rd of the season for Boston.

Reggie Fleming was credited with Boston’s second goal about four and a half minutes later.  Fleming passed the puck in front of the Chicago net, and it caromed into the goal off a Hawk defencman’s skate.  Hall had no chance on the play.

Hall made 29 saves for the Black Hawks, 13 of those in a first period dominated by Boston.

OHA playoffs:  Marlies take 3-1 lead over Jr. Habs

Goaltender Gerry Desjardins was the difference as the Toronto Marlboros downed the Montreal Junior Canadiens 3-1 last night at Maple Leaf Gardens.  The win gives Toronto a 3-1 lead in the series, with one game tied.  The sixth game will be played in Montreal Friday evening.

The game was a dull affair, with both teams suffering from fatigue, thanks to the rigorous, physical pace of the first four games.  At times, they appeared to be just going through the motions.

Brit Selby led the way for Toronto with a pair of goals.  Jim Davidson and Al Osborne had singles.  Defenceman Serge Savard was the Montreal marksman.  Toronto’s best player was defenceman Jack Chipchase who manhandled the smallish Montreal forwards all night.

Brit Selby led Toronto attack with two goals.

A crowd of nearly 3,000 braved a St. Patrick’s Day blizzard to take in the contest.  The game was delayed 12 minutes in starting because the driver of the ice cleaning machine was held up by the storm.

Despite his team’s loss, Montreal coach Scotty Bowman is confident that his team will force a seventh game.  He was not happy with his team’s effort, especially the defence.

“When Davidson can break away and score then something was wrong.  After all, he only scored two goals in the regular season.”

Bowman felt Toronto’s defence was the key.

“That defence gave our forwards a pretty rough time in the third period.  But let’s face it, we’re the lowest scoring team in the league this year and it’s showing.  I don’t know whether Desjardins is that good or not but we are just not a good club around the net.”

Toronto coach Jim Gregory was once again impressed by the play of Desjardins.

Marlies coach Jim Gregory

“In the last two games, he’s only given up two goals.  You can’t ask for anything better than that.  And he’s made the really big saves which can’t help but take some starch out of the other team.”

Notes

• Detroit Red Wings forward Gordie Howe will be the Detroit lineup tonight against the Boston Bruins, according to coach Sid Abel.  Howe suffered a charley horse Sunday but has recovered sufficiently to play.  The Wings are carrying two players over the limit and will send defenceman Warren Godfrey back to Pittsburgh of the American Hockey League
• Allan Stanley will not play for Toronto tonight against the Canadiens in Montreal.  He still hasn’t recovered from a groin injury.
• Montreal defenceman Jean-Guy Talbot is ready to return to the lineup after missing two games due to a knee injury.  Dave Balon and Henri Richard are doubtful started for tonight’s game against the Leafs.

Jean-Guy Talbot returns to the Montreal lineup after missing two games.

• Mike Mahoney scored a goal and an assist to lead Hershey to a 5-1 win over Springfield in AHL play last night.
• Canadian National Team forward Gary Dineen, who scored seven goals at the world championships, says Canada has no chance to defeat the Russians or Czechs unless they send professionals.
• Art Stratton of the Buffalo Bisons still leads the AHL scoring race.  He has 22 goals and 72 assists for 94 points, seven ahead of team mate Len Lunde (43-44-87).  Bronco Horvath is third with 31 goals and 55 assists for 86 points.