Episode 5
A National Obsession
Synopsis
Times are good in the 1950s as the country prospers and the NHL thrives on the brilliance of a pair of superstars. The breathtaking Maurice "Rocket" Richard becomes the working class hero of French Canada as he shatters scoring records for the Montreal Canadiens and inspires legions of downtrodden Quebecois. Meanwhile, English Canada finds its own superstar in the Detroit Red Wings' Gordie Howe, who returns from a horrific head injury to win four consecutive scoring titles.Howe and Richard help usher in a new era in October 1952 at the Montreal Forum, where they play in the first hockey game to be televised in Canada. Soon, the country finds itself mesmerized by the magic of hockey on TV as radio legend Foster Hewitt brings his play-by-play talents to the screen. Television has a sinister side, though, as semi-pro teams across the country fold amid falling Saturday-night attendance.
With Rocketmania in full flight in Montreal, Richard's fiery temper lands him in trouble when he punches a linesman during a brawl in March 1955. NHL President Clarence Campbell reacts swiftly, suspending Richard for the balance of the season. At the next Canadiens home game, enraged fans confront Campbell, and their anger soon spills into the streets of Montreal as the frightening "Richard riots" carry on into the night. Amid speculation that the violent outburst is a symptom of the growing frustration of French Canadians, Richard urges his supporters to calm themselves and accept Campbell's ruling. The next season, all seems right again as the Rocket leads the Habs to the first of a record five consecutive Stanley Cups.
With the country's men back from war, Canada's women are forced to retreat from the workforce – and the hockey rink. Lacking an organized girls league in which to play the game she loves, a young girl crops her hair and goes undercover to earn a spot on her hometown boys team. Three months and an all-star team selection later, a check of her birth certificate reveals "Ab" Hoffman's real given name is Abby, and she is kicked off the squad. Hoffman's story draws attention to the struggles of female hockey players across Canada and, while she doesn't get the girls league she wants, Hoffman later goes on to compete for Canada in the Summer Olympics.
Meanwhile, minority hockey players are breaking barriers of their own. Larry "King" Kwong becomes the first man of Asian extraction to play in the NHL, though his career with the New York Rangers amounts to just a single shift. The Rangers also extend a training-camp invitation to Herb Carnegie, the star of the famed "Colour Line" on the Sherbrooke St. Francis of the Quebec Senior Hockey League. But Carnegie feels he isn't given a fair shake to the make the team and, after being cut by the Rangers, returns to the senior ranks.
Carnegie never again tastes the big-time, but a man named Willie O'Ree picks up where he left off, earning a roster spot with the Boston Bruins in 1958 as the NHL becomes the last major North American sports league to integrate.
By the mid-50s, Canada's amateur teams are accustomed to dominating international hockey, but in 1954 the Soviet Union announces its arrival with a stunning 7-2 victory over Canada to win the world championships. The Red Army team has quietly developed into a superbly trained force as the Soviet hockey machine churns toward its goal of dominating the ice to glorify the ideals of socialism.
The following year, though, Canada shows it won't give up its hockey throne without a fight as the Penticton (B.C.) V's, led by Billy Warwick, recapture the world title with a 5-0 shutout of the Soviets. Hockey's greatest international rivalry is about to kick into full swing.
Rocket Richard, Hockey Hall of Fame
Rocket Richard and Toe Blake, Hockey Hall of Fame
Terry Sawchuk, Hockey Hall Of Fame
Carnegie Line, Hockey Hall Of Fame
