This is the 8th in a nine-part series looking at Indianapolis' championship-winning hockey teams. Previously: the 2009 Indiana Ice (USHL), the 2000 Indianapolis Ice (CHL), 1990 Indianapolis Ice (IHL), 1983 & 1982 Indianapolis Checkers (CHL), the 1958 Indianapolis Chiefs (IHL) and the 1950 Indianapolis Capitals (AHL). Next week: the 2014 Indiana Ice.
Much was changing around the world as the 1941-42 hockey season
approached. Pearl Harbor was a few days away, and many players would be
called to military duty, causing great turnover in rosters and shortages
of professional hockey players in North America - and claiming some
lives.
And for the Indianapolis Capitals, there was a bit of an overhaul,
too, as the team tried to rebound from a disastrous 1940-41 season in
which the team went 17-28-11 and finished last in the AHL West.
The most obvious new face when the Caps convened in Detroit for
training camp was that of goaltender Joe Turner, a teenager out of
Windsor, Ont. with a stellar amateur record. He replaced Jimmy Franks,
who had been the Caps' netminder for most of their first two seasons.
Franks was available, but Turner quickly proved his services wouldn't be needed.
Another Cap defensive mainstay - Archie Wilder - was called into
the army before the season. More would follow as the United States
entered the war in December.
Those that stuck around would put something special together.
With Turner leading the way, the Capitals rolled to the AHL West title,
survived a hair-raising first-round series with Springfield - which the
Caps won in OT of the deciding game - and then brought home the Calder
Cup, giving Indianapolis its first-ever postseason hockey championship.
Showing posts with label Calder Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Calder Cup. Show all posts
Monday, July 14, 2014
Monday, July 7, 2014
Indy's title teams: The 1950 Capitals
This is the 7th in a nine-part series looking at Indianapolis' championship-winning hockey teams. Previously: the 2009 Indiana Ice (USHL), the 2000 Indianapolis Ice (CHL), 1990 Indianapolis Ice (IHL), 1983 & 1982 Indianapolis Checkers (CHL) and the 1958 Indianapolis Chiefs (IHL). Next week: the 1942 Indianapolis Capitals.
The 1948-49 season was one of change for the Indianapolis Capitals - and change for the better. With a new coach in Ott Heller and a host of new faces, the Caps were in the playoffs for the first time in three years, posted a 39-win season and re-established themselves as one of the AHL's elite teams.
1949-50 was a year to prove it.
Most of the pieces were in place from the previous year. Terry Sawchuk, the AHL's Rookie of the Year in 1948-49, was rested, healthy and back for another tour in Indianapolis - thanks to future Hall of Famer Harry Lumley's presence in the Detroit Red Wing net.
Gerry Reid was back. Fred Glover and Enio Sclisizzi would soon return from Detroit and reform the line that started the previous year on fire together. The Morrison brothers, who combined for 100 points as linemates, were back. Popular Nellie Podolsky, Englishman Al Dewsbury, big scorer Gordon Haidy, winger Pat Lundy, defenseman Benny Woit - all were back and ready to make a run at the Calder Cup. Newcomers were defenders Clare Raglan and future longtime NHLer Max Quackenbush, center Jim Uniac and wings Lyall Wiseman, Sam Mulholland and Doug McKay.
These Caps had something to prove. And the lineup to prove it with.
The 1948-49 season was one of change for the Indianapolis Capitals - and change for the better. With a new coach in Ott Heller and a host of new faces, the Caps were in the playoffs for the first time in three years, posted a 39-win season and re-established themselves as one of the AHL's elite teams.
1949-50 was a year to prove it.
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| The Calder Cup champion 1950 Indianapolis Capitals. |
Most of the pieces were in place from the previous year. Terry Sawchuk, the AHL's Rookie of the Year in 1948-49, was rested, healthy and back for another tour in Indianapolis - thanks to future Hall of Famer Harry Lumley's presence in the Detroit Red Wing net.
Gerry Reid was back. Fred Glover and Enio Sclisizzi would soon return from Detroit and reform the line that started the previous year on fire together. The Morrison brothers, who combined for 100 points as linemates, were back. Popular Nellie Podolsky, Englishman Al Dewsbury, big scorer Gordon Haidy, winger Pat Lundy, defenseman Benny Woit - all were back and ready to make a run at the Calder Cup. Newcomers were defenders Clare Raglan and future longtime NHLer Max Quackenbush, center Jim Uniac and wings Lyall Wiseman, Sam Mulholland and Doug McKay.
These Caps had something to prove. And the lineup to prove it with.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
This date in Indianapolis hockey history: April 13
April 13 in Indianapolis hockey history
1984: The Checkers tie their first-round series against Colorado at two games apiece with a 6-3 victory. Red Laurence, Kevin Devine and Roger Kortko score in the second to give Indy a 3-1 lead. Bob Hess' shorthanded goal at 8:07 of the third ends up the game-winner, as it gave the Checkers a 4-2 edge at the time. After Colorado scores a power play goal to close to one, Garth MacGuigan scores two empty-netters to seal the win. Gerald Diduck assists on three Checkers goals.
1950: In front of 7,727 fans at the Coliseum, the Indianapolis Capitals clinch their second Calder Cup title, sweeping Cleveland with a 3-2 victory. Terry Sawchuk stops 37 shots, Fred Glover scores twice, Pat Lundy adds a goal with a breakaway tally, and Gerry Reid assists on two goals. It marks the first time in AHL history a team sweeps through the playoffs unblemished, as the Caps win all eight postseason contests.
1984: The Checkers tie their first-round series against Colorado at two games apiece with a 6-3 victory. Red Laurence, Kevin Devine and Roger Kortko score in the second to give Indy a 3-1 lead. Bob Hess' shorthanded goal at 8:07 of the third ends up the game-winner, as it gave the Checkers a 4-2 edge at the time. After Colorado scores a power play goal to close to one, Garth MacGuigan scores two empty-netters to seal the win. Gerald Diduck assists on three Checkers goals.
1950: In front of 7,727 fans at the Coliseum, the Indianapolis Capitals clinch their second Calder Cup title, sweeping Cleveland with a 3-2 victory. Terry Sawchuk stops 37 shots, Fred Glover scores twice, Pat Lundy adds a goal with a breakaway tally, and Gerry Reid assists on two goals. It marks the first time in AHL history a team sweeps through the playoffs unblemished, as the Caps win all eight postseason contests.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
This date in Indianapolis hockey history: April 5
April 5 in Indianapolis hockey history
2008: A rare two-goalie shutout for the Ice, as the division champions blank the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets 7-0 in front of 5,328 at the Coliseum. Scott Darling plays the first and third periods and stops seven shots, while Matt Hoyle takes over for the second and stops eight. John Kemp (G, 3A) tallies a four-point night, while John Carlson and Will MacDonald each tally a goal and two assists. Ron Cramer puts the exclamation point on with a third-period penalty shot goal.
2000: The Ice take a 2-0 series lead over Tulsa with a 4-1 win. Dan Villeneuve scores the game-winner and Benoit Thibert posts his second straight win in goal.
1991: Sean Williams had two goals and two assists, with helpers on goals by Warren Rychel and Stephen Veilleux in the first 2:11 of the third to tie the game at 5-5. But Muskegon's Dave Michayluk scored with 1:38 left to give the Lumberjacks a 6-5 win in the L.C. Walker Arena.
1959: The Chiefs beat the Fort Wayne Komets 5-2 to stay alive in their Turner Cup semifinal series, but would be eliminated in the next game. Red Leger's game-winner for the Chiefs would mark the franchise's final playoff victory.
1950: The Capitals beat the Cleveland Barons 4-1 in the opening game of the Calder Cup Final. Terry Sawchuk makes 47 saves for the Caps, outdueling Cleveland's Johnny Bower. Seventeen years later, the two together would carry the Toronto Maple Leafs to a Stanley Cup.
1942: The Indianapolis Capitals bring a championship to the Circle City. In their third season, the Caps beat Hershey 8-3 at the Fairgrounds Coliseum to clinch the title. Jack Keating, Sandy Ross and Joe Fisher score 51 seconds apart in the first period to give the Caps a 3-0 lead. Joe Turner makes 36 saves in what would be the final game of his career. Keating (9-8-17) and Les Douglas (8-9-17) each set AHL records with points in a playoff season. Teammate Roy Sawyer's 14 assists are also a new AHL record.
Happy birthday to ...
Bill Blackwood: Defenseman who played three games for the Racers in 1977-78 after finishing his career at Clarkson University - where he is in the school's Hall of Fame. He would go on to play two seasons with IHL Fort Wayne. A native of Sudbury, Ontario, he is 58.
Gerald Diduck: Defenseman who joined the Checkers for the 1984 playoffs and made an immediate impact, with a goal and six assists as the Checkers made a surprise run to the Adams Cup Finals. It was the start of a professional career that would span 18 seasons and feature 932 NHL games. He had 56 goals and 212 points with the Islanders, Canadiens, Canucks, Blackhawks, Whalers, Coyotes, Maple Leafs and Stars. He played in the 1994 Stanley Cup Final with Vancouver. He was the Islanders' first-round pick in 1983. A native of Sherwood Park, Alberta, he is 49.
Roy Sommer: Center who played 37 games for the Checkers in 1985-86, tallying nine goals, 10 assists and 118 PIMs. It was a later stop in a pro career that spanned from 1977-87. Sommer has made his mark as a coach, where he began as an assistant with Muskegon in 1987 -- the team he joined after playing for the Checkers. Earlier in 2014, he set the American Hockey League record for games coached, a stint that began in 1998 with the Kentucky Thoroughblades. He has coached the Worcester Sharks since 2006. Sommer won a championship in the ECHL with Richmond in 1995. A native of Oakland, California, he is 57.
2008: A rare two-goalie shutout for the Ice, as the division champions blank the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets 7-0 in front of 5,328 at the Coliseum. Scott Darling plays the first and third periods and stops seven shots, while Matt Hoyle takes over for the second and stops eight. John Kemp (G, 3A) tallies a four-point night, while John Carlson and Will MacDonald each tally a goal and two assists. Ron Cramer puts the exclamation point on with a third-period penalty shot goal.
2000: The Ice take a 2-0 series lead over Tulsa with a 4-1 win. Dan Villeneuve scores the game-winner and Benoit Thibert posts his second straight win in goal.
1991: Sean Williams had two goals and two assists, with helpers on goals by Warren Rychel and Stephen Veilleux in the first 2:11 of the third to tie the game at 5-5. But Muskegon's Dave Michayluk scored with 1:38 left to give the Lumberjacks a 6-5 win in the L.C. Walker Arena.
1959: The Chiefs beat the Fort Wayne Komets 5-2 to stay alive in their Turner Cup semifinal series, but would be eliminated in the next game. Red Leger's game-winner for the Chiefs would mark the franchise's final playoff victory.
1950: The Capitals beat the Cleveland Barons 4-1 in the opening game of the Calder Cup Final. Terry Sawchuk makes 47 saves for the Caps, outdueling Cleveland's Johnny Bower. Seventeen years later, the two together would carry the Toronto Maple Leafs to a Stanley Cup.
1942: The Indianapolis Capitals bring a championship to the Circle City. In their third season, the Caps beat Hershey 8-3 at the Fairgrounds Coliseum to clinch the title. Jack Keating, Sandy Ross and Joe Fisher score 51 seconds apart in the first period to give the Caps a 3-0 lead. Joe Turner makes 36 saves in what would be the final game of his career. Keating (9-8-17) and Les Douglas (8-9-17) each set AHL records with points in a playoff season. Teammate Roy Sawyer's 14 assists are also a new AHL record.
Happy birthday to ...
Bill Blackwood: Defenseman who played three games for the Racers in 1977-78 after finishing his career at Clarkson University - where he is in the school's Hall of Fame. He would go on to play two seasons with IHL Fort Wayne. A native of Sudbury, Ontario, he is 58.
Gerald Diduck: Defenseman who joined the Checkers for the 1984 playoffs and made an immediate impact, with a goal and six assists as the Checkers made a surprise run to the Adams Cup Finals. It was the start of a professional career that would span 18 seasons and feature 932 NHL games. He had 56 goals and 212 points with the Islanders, Canadiens, Canucks, Blackhawks, Whalers, Coyotes, Maple Leafs and Stars. He played in the 1994 Stanley Cup Final with Vancouver. He was the Islanders' first-round pick in 1983. A native of Sherwood Park, Alberta, he is 49.
Roy Sommer: Center who played 37 games for the Checkers in 1985-86, tallying nine goals, 10 assists and 118 PIMs. It was a later stop in a pro career that spanned from 1977-87. Sommer has made his mark as a coach, where he began as an assistant with Muskegon in 1987 -- the team he joined after playing for the Checkers. Earlier in 2014, he set the American Hockey League record for games coached, a stint that began in 1998 with the Kentucky Thoroughblades. He has coached the Worcester Sharks since 2006. Sommer won a championship in the ECHL with Richmond in 1995. A native of Oakland, California, he is 57.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
This date in Indianapolis hockey history: April 2
On this date in Indianapolis hockey history
2014: Scott Conway scores the first four-goal game in Indiana Ice history, as the Ice explode for five second-period goals in a 9-1 victory over Dubuque. Conway adds an assist for a five-point game. Teammate Dwyer Tschantz also has a five-point night (G, 4A), while Jacob Pritchard has a goal and three assists.
2008: Gregory Squires tallies two goals and an assist, while John Kemp assists on three goals as the Ice beat the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets 4-3 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Scott Darling stops 38 shots for the division champion Ice.
2005: The Ice's first USHL regular season ends with a 5-3 loss at Waterloo despite two assists from Jeremy Tejchma.
2000: The Ice complete their first CHL season with a 39-28-3 record and a 6-5 loss to Topeka. Yvan Corbin and Chris MacKenzie combine for a CHL-high 127 points. Corbin tallies his 62nd goal, MacKenzie his 47th.
1997: The Ice hold off a late Houston rally to beat the Aeros 4-3 in a shootout. Andy MacIntyre, Chris Snell and Brad Werenka all score in the shootout. Steve Dubinsky scores twice in the regulation - the latter being his 30th goal - with Rob Conn and Brad Werenka each assisting on two. It?s the first division title since the 1990 Turner Cup championship team.
1994: Rob Cimetta has the game-tying goal and three assists in regulation, then scores the game-winner in the shootout as the Ice beat Las Vegas 6-5 on the road. Christian Soucy comes off cold off the bench and stuffs all five Thunder attempts in the shootout. Rob Conn scores two first-period goals and adds an assist.
1993: Brad Lauer tallies three goals and an assist in a 9-3 Ice rout of Phoenix. Sean Williams adds three assists, as does Alexander Andrievski who scores his 25th goal 23 seconds in. Rob Brown has four assists. For Lauer, it's goals 44, 45 and 46 on the year. Rob Conn also scores twice.
1986: Rob Holland backstops a 7-4 Checkers win over Peoria at Market Square Arena. Earl Ingarfield scores the game-winner for the home team.
1983: The Checkers close out a successful 1982-83 regular season with an 8-2 thumping of the Birmingham South Stars. Kelly Hrudey backstops the win, and Dave Simpson scores the game-winner at the Coliseum. The Checkers finish 50-28-2
1976: The Racers clinch their first playoff spot with a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Toros at Maple Leaf Gardens, backstopped by goaltender Jim Park.
1942: The Capitals put themselves on the verge of the city's first hockey championship. They beat beat Hershey 2-1 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 Calder Cup Finals series. Jack Keating scored the game-winning goal and Joe Turner stopped all but one shot for the Caps.
Happy birthday to ...
Grant Blakey: Forward who played 52 games for the Ice on the 2008-09 Clark Cup championship team. He tallied nine points in those 52 games, but had three goals and two assists in nine postseason contests on the way to the championship. He recently completed his collegiate career at Mercyhurst, where he tallied 37 goals and 69 assists in 146 games over four years. A native of Canton, Michigan, he is 25.
2014: Scott Conway scores the first four-goal game in Indiana Ice history, as the Ice explode for five second-period goals in a 9-1 victory over Dubuque. Conway adds an assist for a five-point game. Teammate Dwyer Tschantz also has a five-point night (G, 4A), while Jacob Pritchard has a goal and three assists.
2008: Gregory Squires tallies two goals and an assist, while John Kemp assists on three goals as the Ice beat the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets 4-3 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Scott Darling stops 38 shots for the division champion Ice.
2005: The Ice's first USHL regular season ends with a 5-3 loss at Waterloo despite two assists from Jeremy Tejchma.
2000: The Ice complete their first CHL season with a 39-28-3 record and a 6-5 loss to Topeka. Yvan Corbin and Chris MacKenzie combine for a CHL-high 127 points. Corbin tallies his 62nd goal, MacKenzie his 47th.
1997: The Ice hold off a late Houston rally to beat the Aeros 4-3 in a shootout. Andy MacIntyre, Chris Snell and Brad Werenka all score in the shootout. Steve Dubinsky scores twice in the regulation - the latter being his 30th goal - with Rob Conn and Brad Werenka each assisting on two. It?s the first division title since the 1990 Turner Cup championship team.
1994: Rob Cimetta has the game-tying goal and three assists in regulation, then scores the game-winner in the shootout as the Ice beat Las Vegas 6-5 on the road. Christian Soucy comes off cold off the bench and stuffs all five Thunder attempts in the shootout. Rob Conn scores two first-period goals and adds an assist.
1993: Brad Lauer tallies three goals and an assist in a 9-3 Ice rout of Phoenix. Sean Williams adds three assists, as does Alexander Andrievski who scores his 25th goal 23 seconds in. Rob Brown has four assists. For Lauer, it's goals 44, 45 and 46 on the year. Rob Conn also scores twice.
1986: Rob Holland backstops a 7-4 Checkers win over Peoria at Market Square Arena. Earl Ingarfield scores the game-winner for the home team.
1983: The Checkers close out a successful 1982-83 regular season with an 8-2 thumping of the Birmingham South Stars. Kelly Hrudey backstops the win, and Dave Simpson scores the game-winner at the Coliseum. The Checkers finish 50-28-2
1976: The Racers clinch their first playoff spot with a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Toros at Maple Leaf Gardens, backstopped by goaltender Jim Park.
1942: The Capitals put themselves on the verge of the city's first hockey championship. They beat beat Hershey 2-1 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 Calder Cup Finals series. Jack Keating scored the game-winning goal and Joe Turner stopped all but one shot for the Caps.
Happy birthday to ...
Grant Blakey: Forward who played 52 games for the Ice on the 2008-09 Clark Cup championship team. He tallied nine points in those 52 games, but had three goals and two assists in nine postseason contests on the way to the championship. He recently completed his collegiate career at Mercyhurst, where he tallied 37 goals and 69 assists in 146 games over four years. A native of Canton, Michigan, he is 25.
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