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Maple Leafs Draw First Blood in NHL Finals Series with Red Wings

Apr. 9, 1963 - Dick Duff and Bob Nevin each scored twice tonight as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 4-2, in the opening game of their Stanley Cup finals series at Maple Leaf Gardens. Duff bagged both his goals in a 19-second span within 2 minutes of the first period, and the Red Wings never fully recovered. Nevin got his first in the opening period as Toronto took a 3-0 lead and, after Detroit rallied for a pair in the second, provided the insurance marker in the final frame. Larry Jeffrey scored both Detroit goals, but goalie Johnny Bower and the Leaf defense combined to bar the door to further scores. Toronto hopes were jolted early in the first period when scoring star Frank Mahovlich suffered what was believed to be pulled ligaments in his left leg after taking a hit from Detroit's Bill Gadsby. Mahovlich was taken to a hospital. Bower, tested only 6 times during the first period, came up with 12 saves in a 14-shot second period and was called on for 12 saves in the final frame as the Wings tried and failed to recover from their earlier collapse.

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