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Sensational mini Stanley Cup rekindles the story of how hockey’s newest terrific trio helped return the Montreal Canadiens to the winners’ circle in the spring of 1944. Produced in recent years by the Boffey company for Elmer Lach, it brings forth the story of how the famous “Punch Line” of Lach, Maurice Richard and Toe Blake emerged to lead the Habs, scoring 10 of the 16 goals it took Montreal to sweep Chicago in the Cup finals. The Canadiens had followed up their splendid 38-5-7 regular season title with a five-game semi- final victory over arch rival Toronto. Lach had finished fifth in league scoring with 72 points and goalie Bill Durnan claimed his first of six career Vezina trophies. Other offensive contributors that season were Buddy O’Connor, Gerry Hefferman, Ray Getliffe, Phil Watson and Murph Chamberlain while a young Butch Bouchard anchored the defence. It was Blake who had the distinction of scoring the Cup- winning goal, at 9:12 of overtime in the Habs’ 5-4 clincher in front of a hometown crowd. This exquisite silver-plated trophy includes the names of Montreal’s hockey heroes engraved in two columns on the barrel, below the names of the team’s executives, including manager Tom Gorman and coach Dick Irvin. In pristine condition, it will be accompanied by a letter of authenticity signed by Hall-of-Famer Elmer Lach.
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