Working the Corners

By Kelly Sharp

How about working a hockey game in this supposed age of non-tolerance towards interference penalties? And you thought players and coaches were still very much in the adjustment mode. On ice officials from minor hockey, junior to the pro ranks are trying to make sense of the myriad of possible interference calls. Drop into a minor hockey game and you will hear referees wondering aloud if certain on-ice contact warrants a skate to the penalty box. All I know, is an efficient power-play is even more important in this day of special teams.

Now there was a flashback of memories when the WHL announced the new Edmonton franchise will be called the Oil Kings. I can still remember watching the Oil Kings at the Edmonton Gardens. The rugged Flin Flon Bombers, led by Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach, literally battling the Oil Kings before a raucous Gardens crowd. Clarke, the savvy play-maker and instigator whose stick work was in the middle of most scrums. Leach, the pure goal-scorer whose shot overwhelmed most goaltenders. The atmosphere was electric in a jam-packed arena fuelled by the bitter rivalry between the two junior clubs.

It was the spring of 1965 when the Oil Kings appeared in their sixth consecutive Memorial Cup Final. The Edmonton Gardens hosted the best of seven series against the Niagara Falls Flyers. The younger Kings were no match for the veteran-laden Flyers in a wild series marred by brawls, injuries, suspensions and spectators clashing with the Eastern champs. Oh, when I look back at the old program of the ’65 Memorial Cup final I count at least eleven future NHLers on the Niagara Falls roster. The Flyers goalie was Bernie Parent. A fifteen year-old by the name of Rick Ley was on the Flyers blueline.

The powerful Flyers attack included Bill Goldsworthy, Rosaire Paiement, Derek Sanderson and Jean Pronovost to name a few.

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