BS: 'The Rocket'

Subject: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: 3refs
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 08:24 AM

50 years since No. 500
Many have come since, but Rocket was first to the milestone
Fifty years ago today, Maurice (Rocket) Richard got his 500th career goal, setting a benchmark for goal-scorers that endures even if it has since been matched by 38 other players.
It was one of those magic round numbers, like the 50 goals (in 50 games) that Richard was the first to accomplish in the 1944-45 season. Richard retired after the 1959-60 campaign with 544 goals.

For you non-hockey fans, "The Rocket's" story is one of the most compelling in the world of sport.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 09:08 AM

Field or air hockey?

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: PMB
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 09:27 AM

178 years and 14 days since 'The Rocket' started her trials...

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: 3refs
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 09:27 AM

Air Hockey, Ball Hockey, Barn Hockey, Bubble Hockey, Field Hockey, Floor Hockey, Ice Hockey, Kitchen Hockey, Road Hockey, Roller Hockey, Table Hockey, Twist Hockey and all played with full contact.
Just to name a few!

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Becca72
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 11:03 AM

I was living in northern Vermont, about an hour outside Montreal, when Rocket died. My then boyfriend went up to the Molson Center for the public viewing. It was an amazing thing. Thousands of people and the city basically shut down for the day. Very touching.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: gnu
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 11:07 AM

Class act, too.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Peace
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 11:09 AM

The game of leaners, played with hockey cards, was the recess diversion at the elementary school I went to. THE card which once won was never entered into the game again was that of Rocket Richard. When that man was on the ice, stuff happened.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Peace
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 11:12 AM

Oh, yeah. When the French kids were fighting the English kids and the English the French, there was a common ground. The Rocket was it. We always agreed on that. He was the greatest hockey player of all time. (I know that can't be proven, but back in those days, no one had to prove common knowledge. The Earth is round, the Sun rises, and Rocket Richard is IT!) And as Gnu said, he was a class act.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Peace
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 11:18 AM

I hear the number 9 today and I still think, "Rocket".

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 11:29 AM

Yep, he was IT all right. I always thought of Rocket Richard being to hockey what Rocky Marciano was to boxing. Simply the best.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 11:39 AM

I've just heard on the telly that Ronnie 'The Rocket' O'Sullivan, Britain's most exciting, and controversial, Snooker player is just approaching his 500th century in that game (although I realise that this won't mean much to many American contributors to Mudcat and I probably should explain that Snooker's a bit like Pool).

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: 3refs
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 03:09 PM

It might to Canadians! I grew up playing snooker.
In 1983, Cliff Thorburn of Canada made snooker history when he completed the tournament's first-ever maximum break (the 'Perfect Game') at the Embassy World Professional Championship. Pretty sure it was televised live too!

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 03:35 PM

I thought it was exactly the same as pool. Shows how much I know.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Peace
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 04:21 PM

Snooker.

Pool.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: 3refs
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 04:26 PM

I ran 11 Pinks once and missed a dog on my next cherry! Could have pitched my stick across the room!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: 3refs
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 04:29 PM

Rocky Marciano.....ROCKY MARCIANO!!!!!!!Really?

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 04:32 PM

Yeah. Like what Chongo is to chimps. Like what Don Cherry is to loud sport jackets. Like what Spaw is to dumbasses. Like what Shatner is to...ummm....well, no, he's simply in a class entirely by himself.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: gnu
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 04:39 PM

Les Canadiens produced more than a few. True hockey players. No nasty stuff and thuggery, just good hockey... Belliveau, LeMaire, Henri Richard, Lafleur, Corny.... Courny eh.... Corn Y eh... Yvan Cournoyer... better that the CBC announcers, eh? Ever read his story? He got that wrist shot from making a puck out of metal in his father's worshop. Musta got the skating on his own... never seen anyone skate like that guy! Toler Cranston maybe... ;-).

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Peace
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 05:01 PM

Gnu, did you see the game where he raced an iced puck and stopped it just before it crossed the line (inches), stopped the clock with 4 seconds left? The Habs took it on the faceoff and scored. Cournoyer: another GREAT!

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: gnu
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 05:12 PM

And, who scored on the face off??????

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: gnu
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 05:20 PM

Did you see Jacques LaMaire fire that game winning goal against Cheevers from four feet inside his own blue line in the Cup in I forget what year? Knocked Jerry on his arse and went in. Lord forgive me, but, SCREW Bobby Hull... LeMaire had the most accuarte and powerful slapshot I ever saw.

And, speaking of Yvonne, remember when he would fire the puck nearly straight up over the defense at the blue line, deke them, get it back and deke the goalie??? Amazing!!!

Ah, the good old days. When hockey was about talent.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: gnu
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 05:33 PM

Did I say that? Screw who?. I shall say ten Hails and ten Father's and ten....

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Peace
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 05:39 PM

I think that over the years hockey has meant less and less to me, Gnu. The times you speak of it seems are the times when it was about the game. As kid I think I knew every player on all six teams. Today, I can name about ten teams and can't be arsed to keep track of players. In fact, I don't even know anymore how many teams are in the NHL.

As a kid I played a few sports (hockey wasn't one of 'em--I can't skate worth shit) and was very good at a few things. The trophy I most treasure having received was "Most Gentlemanly Player" (in football). In that same year I received three other awards in football. It was about winning to me, but it was about playing the game the way it should be played: hard, fair, and with sportsmanship. IMO, it ain't enough to nail a guy with a flying tackle. That's half the job. The other half is offering your hand to help him up. I don't see too much of that left in sports. So, I just don't watch anymore.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: gnu
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 05:50 PM

I hear ya Peace. I don't even watch hockey anymore... not since Boston started the thug thing about thirty years ago. If ya can't beat em at hockey, beat em up.... disgusting.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 11:46 PM

Couldn't agree more. I pretty much gave up on it by the time the Philadelphia Flyers were embarking on their classic era of thuggery. One thing I'll say about Boston...it was a treat to see Bobby Orr play, and Esposito's line was something to watch too...but Orr in his prime was just sublime. What a great player.

Be that as it may, I hated Boston at the time. I was always cheering for Montreal. Only in retrospect did I begin to appreciate Bobby Orr for what he was as a hockey player, the finest of his day, and then I regretted not having appreciated it more when it was happening right there in front of me.

I also loved the way the Russians played in '72 (aside from a few nasty moments here and there in the scuffles). My God, was that ever fine hockey! I think they deserved to win that series, frankly, because their style of play was far better in most respects than the NHL's. Tretiak was also a simply astounding goalie.

Subject: RE: BS: 'The Rocket'
From: 3refs
Date: 20 Oct 07 - 01:14 PM

Well, finally subject has been broached that I that I can comment on with a little bit of intelligence(according to me).
Now all I need is the time to do it!
In the mean time, nobody ever mentions "Terrible" Ted Lindsay. The "Ty Cobb" of hockey! Much the same as Ty, Ted would get into opposing players psyche. Some of the things he did and said to The Rocket have no place in sports(that's my story here...locker room might be a little different). Never any worries about him winning the Lady Byng. In terms of talent, I think he's right behind Orr(the best and dirty), Gretzky(disappear under the ice), Howe(what is there left to add), Lemieux(just that much better than Beliveau) and Richard(nobody went to the net like him)!

"If ya can't beat em at hockey, beat em up.... disgusting, Jacque Lemaire had the hardest slap shot" and other statements shall be commented on when I'm done with all of the "Jazz Terrorists" that have invaded the city for the week-end!!!





And Dennis Hull had the hardest slap shot!!!!!