You’ve probably heard of Bobby Orr. Widely considered the best defenseman to ever play the game, and even considered one of the best players ever, the legendary No. 4 took his first steps in the NHL during the 1966-67 season – but, it was during Orr’s first time in charge. the league. From the 1969-70 season through the 1974-75 campaign, the Ontario-native recorded 734 points in 447 games – an incredible feat for any player, let alone a defenseman.
But there is one campaign that seems to rise above the rest. In the Boston Bruins 1969-70 season, Orr scored 33 goals and 87 assists in 76 games. He took home the Hart, Norris, Art Ross, and Conn Smythe Trophies and his first Stanley Cup. The Cup was the result of Orr’s most memorable moment – his flying goal.
It’s impossible for all of Orr’s awards to fit into one trophy case. In all, No. 4 earned the 1966-67 Calder Trophy, three Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, two Conn Smythe Trophies and was named to nine all-star teams. While collecting all of these awards, the defenseman remains the best in the business as he has been awarded the Norris Trophy for eight consecutive seasons.
Orr’s season totals rest at 270 goals and 645 assists (915 points) in just 657 games. His plus-minus average in those games remains at plus-582. Last season the defenseman went on to produce 26 goals and 66 assists (92 points) in 74 playoff games.
Orr Takes Flight
It is the most visible highlight in Boston sports history. The goal conjures up memories of the Boston Red Sox’s 2004 World Series championship, the New England Patriots’ first Super Bowl victory, and the Boston Celtics’ incredible streak of eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966.
But Orr’s goal goes beyond winning the Stanley Cup. It was poetic that the Bruins’ best player scored the best goal in franchise history. The game took place on May 10, 1970 – Mother’s Day. Play-by-play announcer Dan Kelly’s call for the final moments of Game 4 will give you goosebumps to this day.
The big party started at Boston Garden. Orr, still sitting on the ice after being ejected by a St. Louis defenseman. Louis Blues Noel Picard in the lounge, found himself at the center of the celebration. However, according to Orr, his aerial flight was voluntary.
“As I fell, Glenn’s legs opened. I looked back, and I saw it coming in, so I jumped.”
Bobby Orr, ‘Goal: Bobby Orr and the Most Famous Goal in Stanley Cup History’ by Andrew Podnieks
According to pictures and replays, however, it appears that the overtime hero has stumbled. Maybe Orr just wanted to avoid embarrassing another defender. Maybe he didn’t want the media to be inundated with such a minor footnote – after all, the Bruins had just won the franchise’s first championship since 1941.
No. 4 started celebrating just before he tripped, leading to one of the most iconic images in hockey. The photo was taken by photographer Ray Lussier as Orr flew through the air like Superman, his arms outstretched and a happy look on his face. (from ‘Ex-Haverhill reporter captures Orr’s famous ‘flight,’ The Eagle-Tribune, 05/11/2010) He was forever remembered as a hero in the eyes of Bruins fans. The crowd in the back, most of whom had their arms in the air like the legend, began to fill the arena with a roar that continued until the Stanley Cup skated onto the ice. It was the moment when Orr realized that he was a champion, he was caught and recorded in history.
1970 Stanley Cup Final
Although it only took 12 wins to win the Stanley Cup back in 1970, the Bruins only needed 14 games to win the title. They lost just two games – both to the New York Rangers in the first round in Games 4 and 5 – before winning 10 straight en route to the championship. Phil Esposito led the team with 13 goals and 14 assists, followed by none other than Orr with nine goals and 11 assists.
After sweeping the Chicago Black Hawks in the second round, the Bruins advanced to face the Blues. During Games 1 and 2 in St. Louis, Boston outscored its opponent 12-3. They increased that margin to 16-4 during Game 3 as the teams headed into what would be the final game of the 1970 NHL Playoffs.
Boston’s 14th postseason game is the only game in which they have seen overtime. It was the third time they were forced to a one-goal draw during their run in the historic tournament. Red Berenson, Gary Sabourin, and Larry Keenan were credited with three goals for the Blues during Game 4. Meanwhile, Rick Smith, Esposito, and John Bucyk scored three goals for Boston to send the game into overtime .
In the 40-second overtime period, the Blues were unable to keep the puck in their possession, opting to throw it down at the Boston blue line. Orr picked up the loose puck, skated to the red line and dumped it into the St. Louis zone. Louis’. Wayne Carleton caught Boston and shoved the puck into the slot where it bounced around before finally being cleared. Don Awrey kept the game alive and sent a slap shot into the blocked net.
Derek Sanderson picked up the ricochet and took a slap shot of his own that was “hard hitting” according to Kelly. Both teams battled to get the ball on the left boards before the puck came out and the ever sobbing Sanderson took a shot from the left faceoff circle that again missed the cage. He then went around the back of the net and stood patiently to the right of the goal.
The puck bounced off the right boards and Orr paused, scooping the puck up with his skate. St. Louis’ Keenan took a one-handed chop to the puck to no avail as the Bruins defenseman turned it to his stick blade. “If it had been through me, it would have been two and one,” Orr said. “So I got a little lucky there.” Blues defenseman Jean-Guy Talbot also took a one-handed swipe at the puck as Orr swung in the corner, passing it to Sanderson who was waiting under the goal line.
Then, in Orr’s own words, “Derek made a big pass to me and when I got the pass I went over. As I skated across, Glenn had to go over to the other side of the river and had to open his pads a little. I was really trying to get the puck in the net, and I did. “
And you know something else: Orr went up in the air after winning his first Stanley Cup. He would win it again with many of the same players in 1972, but there is something special about a player’s first championship – especially when it is won in such spectacular fashion.
Orr’s Lasting Impact
Not only did Orr’s flying goal give the Bruins their first Stanley Cup since 1941, but it changed the face of hockey in New England forever. When the Bruins won the Cup in 1970, almost every kid in the area wanted to wear the number 4. As a hometown hero, hockey itself took off in Boston.
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The sports spectrum in New England was dominated by basketball at the time, as the Celtics had already brought home 11 championships when 1970 rolled around. But Orr’s most memorable moment, combined with the rest of his storied career, brought hockey back to the fore in the city. The Boston Garden was packed night after night to see one of the best – if not the best – players to ever play the game of ice hockey.
Orr’s goal didn’t just end Boston’s 29-year Stanley Cup drought. It did more to the city than that. It has created a generation of die-hard hockey fans in the region who have passed on their love of black and gold hockey to the next generation. Many Bruins fans who didn’t live to see Orr’s most famous season were told about it in the sense of a classic legend – although this is 100 percent true.
* first published in July 2018
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