Legacy of Time

We remember the ghosts that lived in the Old Forum. They were carrying a torch of formidability for posterity. It was a place where legends were born and majestic teams ruled. Effortlessly, artistically and powerfully they dazzled not only their fans and opponents alike but themselves too.

The ghosts made their presence felt one last time in a game between the great Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs in what was the last year before they tore down the old rink. One gets the sense that the ghosts were hanging around on this sombre day. It is as if they had no intentions of moving again. They did not like what they saw down the road. Some were fixing the banners of all those Stanley Cups, others were playing around on the ice chasing each other, still others sat back and listened to the play-by-play of the game that was actually going on.

The present Habs were a mere shadow of their former selves. They were a team that was mismanaged and its tradittion of excellence was gone. No one is really sure how this was allowed to happen it just did. Some believe that the Habs will rise again one day.

On this night, Montreal is losing 4-1 heading into the third period to their arch rivals Toronto Maple Leafs. "Where are these fricken ghosts" one player asks. Peetie, a player for the Habs, tells him there are no ghosts. "Get a grip and play hard" he continues. Howie Morenz, the Stratford Streak, Montreal's first legend, overhears the conversation. He summons the lads for one more round of magic.

Peetie gets off the bench and scores an incredible goal making the score 4-2. The coach comes over to Peetie, "What the hell got into you? Good job." As Peetie looks up he sees something flash by. He nudges his team mate. "Did you see that?" The team mate responds "See what?" Peetie could have sworn he saw #7 fly by.

The Habs are playing marvelously. Their skating reminds some in the stands of the old Habs. One fan shouts "How do you guys think you are? The second coming of '56 or '78?" Jean skates past a Leaf defenseman a scores. 4-3 with 4 minutes to go. Jean shakes his head at an image he thinks he just saw. "#9? Nah."

No one ever thought that Mario would be the next one to tie this game up. He did. 4-4. He could have sworn he saw #2 flash before he scored. The energy in the Forum is electric. If one could read body language, the Leafs had resigned themselves to defeat. One player remarked later "It was as if the ghosts came down and played the game."

In the broadcast booth Danny Gallivan drove the voice of the play-by-play man as he winked to Dick Irvin who somehow was able to see them. Behind the bench Toe Blake stood stoically. The ghosts had arrived.

The game is not won. There are 33 seconds left in this critical game. Peetie sweeps down, out of the corner of his eye he sees all past Montreal Canadien legends around him, he let's a ferocious slap shot go. He scores! Habs lead 5-4. The proud Toronto Maple Leafs, however, will not leave without a fight. One of their fine player's fakes the goalie with 3 seconds to go.....what a save! Habs win! Behind, one could have sworn Vezina, Durnan and Plante all chuckling.

Incredible. Later, as the lights were shutting down, the ghosts hugged one another and skated off the ice for the last time. They were tired. They swore they would come back one day. Maybe #23 could pick up and assemble together the fragmented pieces fallen to the ground that was once a powerful 'C'.