Habs Take 3-2 Series Lead over Leafs

Apr. 10, 1965 - “Go past him, go past him,” shouted Montreal coach Toe Blake as Bobby Rousseau snared a pass from Ted Harris and had only defenseman Kent Douglas to beat. 

Instead, Rousseau used the Toronto defenseman as a screen and whipped home a 55-foot slap shot for the Canadiens’ winning goal in their 3-1 victory over the Maple Leafs tonight at the Forum.

Rousseau’s second winner of the Stanley Cup semifinal, followed by an empty-net score from Jean Beliveau, gave the Habs a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“Douglas tried to wait me out, so I just let the shot go,” said Bobby, a series standout with three goals and two assists. “I don’t think [Johnny] Bower saw the puck before it hit his stick and went up into the net.”

The goal in the eighth minute of the third period climaxed a Montreal comeback after Toronto had opened the scoring on Bob Pulford’s early second-period goal and a power-play equalizer by the Canadiens’ rookie Yvan Cournoyer nine minutes later. 

“Rousseau’s goal just goes to show you how a coach can go crazy,” said Blake happily. “I don’t think we played as well tonight as we did in the two games at Toronto, but our defense was solid, and we got strong goaltending.”

The coach was referring to the stellar efforts of Ted Harris, the mature rookie, and Jacques Laperriere, who came up with big games on defense. Harris got more than enough ice time and was playing so well that he also had a turn as penalty killer while Jean-Guy Talbot was off in the third period.

Blake credited Gump Worsley with a fine performance and indicated that he will also work the sixth game Tuesday night.

“Charlie Hodge may be ready,” said Blake, “but after Gump’s big effort, we’d be taking a heck of a chance changing goalies right now.”

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