Rough Stuff

Pro hockey had become more violently rowdy than ever. There was a rash of sprains, broken bones, and bashed heads, and player tempers showed no signs of cooling.

At midseason, three steamed-up teams were virtually tied for the National Hockey League lead, with a fourth within easy swatting distance. Montreal's high-flying Canadiens, minus their star goalie, Bill Durnan (broken hand), squared off last week against Toronto, and got licked 5-to-4. Potent Detroit flattened the Boston Bruins, but lost capable Syd Howe (possible fractured rib) in the business of winning.

Just how the Chicago Black Hawks stayed with the pace nobody knew. But it was no secret that their tiny team had worked wonders with speed and power plays. The Chicagoans, though dominating the scoring race, had been mauled physically more than any other club. The star casualties: playmaking Bill Mosienko (twisted knee) ; deadly Doug Bentley (two teeth missing); Red Hamill and Eddie Wares (sprained underpinnings).

In the long run, the brittle Black Hawks didn't have as much chance for survival as the fourth-place Boston Bruins. But the Bruins had their own invalid problems with hotheaded Milt Schmidt (groin injury) and shrewd Bill Cowley (broken hand).

Paradoxically, the only teams up to full strength were the Rangers and the Maple Leafs, both hopelessly bogged in the league cellar. But they could offer home-town fans plenty of real blood & thunder on the artificial ice--and the rabid fans ate it up.

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