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March 23: On this day in 1918, Alf Skinner of the Toronto Arenas registered the first hat trick by an NHL player in a Stanley Cup Final game. The PCHA’s Vancouver Millionaires downed Toronto 6-4 in Game Two of the 1918 Final, the first Stanley Cup series involving an NHL franchise.
March 23: On this day in 1932, Don Marshall was born in Montreal, Quebec. Marshall was an underrated member of the Canadiens five-straight-Cup dynasty of the 1950's. In 1971, he was picked up by Toronto in the Intra-League draft. He closed out his long NHL career that had begun in the early 1950's in 1971-72. Marshall had 2 goals and 14 assists in his final 50 NHL games as a Leaf.
March 23: On this day in 1943, Leaf centerman Jack McLean ended the second longest overtime game in Maple Leaf history with a goal at 10:18 of the 4th overtime period in Game 2 of the Semi-Finals against Detroit. In his three year career with the Leafs, McLean played only home games and games in Montreal. He was enrolled in University and was not admitted across the border as he attended classes concurrent with his hockey playing career. Jack McLean had a goal and two assists in his first ever NHL game on November 12, 1942. In 67 NHL games, all with the Leafs, Jack McLean had 38 points. He won a Cup with the Leafs in 1945.
March 23: On this day in 1944, the Leafs and the Canadiens played Game 2 of their Semi-Final playoff match-up. Maple Leaf Bob Davidson was assigned to checking Montreal's Rocket Richard. Davidson was on the ice for all 5 of Richard's goals as the Habs downed the Leafs 5-1. The Rocket was named the game's first, second and third stars.
March 23: On this day in 1947, Bob Dawes made his NHL debut with the Leafs in a 5-3 victory over the Red Wings. It was the last scheduled game of the season. He did not play in the playoffs that spring, but played a total of 17 games over three seasons at both center and defense as a part time Leaf. Dawes had 2 goals and 7 assists with the Blue and White. He got his name engraved on the Stanley Cup with the 1949 Maple Leafs.
March 23: On this day in 1952, Leaf great Hall-of Fame goaltender Turk Broda played half a game in the only game he played that season. It was the Leafs' final regular game of the 1951-52 season and it was Broda's final regular season appearance in his glorious career. He gave up 3 goals in 30 minutes and the Leafs lost 4-2 to the Boston Bruins. Broda did come back to play in two playoff games, but the Leafs were easily swept by the Red Wings, 4 games to 0.
March 23: On this day in 1994, Doug Gilmour became the first Leaf in team history to record two consecutive 100-point seasons. He finished with 111. The previous season, Gilmour had set new team records for points (127) and assists (95) in a single season. Darryl Sittler is the only other Leaf player to record a 100-point season which he did twice, 1976 and 1978.
