FIDDLER’S FACTS: Lafleur’s passing brings back fond memories

The current passing of Man Lafleur introduced again fond reminiscences of the best hockey sequence ever seen in Charlottetown – the 1970 Memorial Cup Japanese Canada semifinal between the nice Charlottetown Islanders and Quebec Remparts.

The Remparts’ Lafleur was the most well liked title in main junior hockey, scoring 106 objectives in 56 video games. Lengthy earlier than he ever performed within the NHL, Quebec followers reserved a spot for him amongst Montreal’s all-time greats Rocket Richard and Jean Beliveau.

Lafleur adopted an identical path to the Canadiens as Beliveau, who performed for the senior Quebec Aces.

The 1970 Islanders earned their solution to the Quebec sequence by knocking off Larry Robinson and his Ottawa membership. Island followers knew the native group was particular with future NHLers Bobby MacMillan, Al MacAdam, Hill Graves and a terrific supporting forged.

The Remparts had been heavy favourites with Lafleur, Michel Brier, eventual 50-goal NHL scorer Jacques Richard, Andre Savard and goaltender Gilles Meloche.

Island followers had been in a frenzy earlier than Recreation 1. The night of the primary Remparts’ observe on P.E.I., there have been roughly 1,500 followers within the Discussion board.

I used to be there with my pal, Richard Bradley, and Lafleur was electrifying, main line rushes with terrific pace and displaying his highly effective shot about two inches off the ice inside both submit. He was the true deal.

The previous Discussion board on Fitzroy Road was crammed to capability – after which some – a half-hour earlier than recreation time. Perhaps it was right here the place sportswriters coined the phrase, “Hanging from the rafters”.

Islanders coach Jack Hynes assigned speedster Bobby McGuigan and Dale Turner to examine Lafleur. Though The Flower opened the scoring, the boys did a creditable job the remainder of the way in which, a 3-1 Islanders’ upset.

All hell broke free in Recreation 2. Followers pelted the Remparts with assorted greens, potatoes, tomatoes and eggs. There have been quite a few fights on the ice, too many for the officers; fights within the stands and in entrance of the Discussion board. With Charlottetown main 6-3, officers known as off the sport with 5 minutes remaining.

Savard was arrested shortly after leaving the Quebec dressing room (he nonetheless talks about it), spent a lot of the night time in jail and the Quebec Justice Division launched an investigation.

When the sequence shifted to Quebec Metropolis, the frenzied and passionate followers there hurled assorted particles on the Islanders, and the momentum shifted. The Remparts gained the primary two video games and buried the Islanders 10-1 in Recreation 5, sending the sequence again to P.E.I.

Lafleur and the Remparts had been simply an excessive amount of in a sequence that’s typically talked about throughout the Island as if it completed final spring.

Lafleur’s profession with the Montreal Canadiens blossomed. He’ll all the time be thought to be a legend in Montreal.

Lafleur had been again to Prince Edward Island quite a few occasions since that sequence. He visited Charlottetown a decade in the past selling an power drink firm, spending a protracted night reminiscing. He signed lots of of autographs, had his image taken with dozens of people and listened to their opinions. He was a humble famous person the whole night.

5 years in the past, Jamie MacLeod and I met Lafleur in RisePEI. As anticipated, Lafleur introduced up the 1970 sequence. He laughed and mentioned, “The Islanders had a terrific group, too, and the followers are simply as passionate as these in Montreal and Quebec Metropolis.”

Just lately, the Habs honoured Lafleur with a ceremony that befitted his place among the many all-time Canadiens’ greats – a tribute to a modest down-to-earth famous person.

In my 50 years at this submit, I can let you know that, excluding P.E.I.-born-and-raised gamers, of all of the hockey gamers which have visited these shores, and no matter what sweater they wore, the three that stand above the others due to their character, humility and sophistication are Beliveau, Serge Savard and the nice Man Lafleur.

Lafleur will lie in state on the Bell Centre on Might 1 and a couple of. A nationwide funeral is scheduled for Mary Queen of the World Cathedral on Might 3 in Montreal.

Harness racing

… The annual P.E.I. Horse House owners Awards Evening is April 30 in Charlottetown. Visitor audio system are brothers Anthony, the 2018 Cam Fella winner, and James MacDonald, 2021 driver of the 12 months in Canada and former world driving champion. The very best horses and drivers in P.E.I. final 12 months will likely be within the highlight. It needs to be an incredible night.

… Qualifiers go in Charlottetown April 30 at midday and Might 2 at 6 p.m., and in Summerside on Might 1 at midday.

… Montague’s Austin Sorrie posted a driving double at Mohawk April 25. I seen he’s driving continuously for Ben Baillargeon. At Mohawk April 30, Anthony MacDonald’s The Secure.Ca has Austin down on two or three. Nice to see Islanders serving to Islanders.

… At Yonkers Raceway April 26, Woodmere Stealdeal carved depraved fractions on the entrance in a $25,000 conditioned tempo, resulting in the three-quarters in a scorching 1:22, ending fifth in 1:50:4. On the identical card, Woodmere Skyroller was sixth in 1:53 and alter in a $28,000 check.

… I had a chat with longtime horse proprietor Gordon Crozier this previous week. That is the primary time in 42 years that he doesn’t have a horse racing, however added, “I’m nonetheless trying.”

Fred MacDonald’s column seems each Saturday in The Guardian. He could be reached at [email protected]