JANUARY 23, 1957 – A HOCKEY NIGHT TO REMEMBER IN SARNIA

By Randy Evans

While only in their third year the 1956-1957 hockey season was a heady one for the Sarnia Legionaires.

Led by coach Stu Cousins and G.M. Tom Norris the Legion started the year by signing on as a farm team with the N.H.L. Chicago Black Hawks.  Bolstered by some imports sent to town by the Hawks the Legion went on to win their first provincial championship that season.

Not so however for that year’s Sr. B Sarnia C.V.’S.  With a roster primarily made up of former Sarnia Sailors and coached by Ted Garvin the older pucksters finished the year in 6th and last place in their loop.

And yet despite their obvious talent the Legion lacked one thing the senior crew had – experience.  And so for one night C.V. players including Hilt Fraser, Charlie Glaab and Don Savage joined the youngsters  and for good reason.

The Chicago Black Hawks were in town for a game.

Even though then sitting in the N.H.L. basement the Hawks would be entering the Sarnia Arena with a pro squad including three future Hockey Hall of Famers- coach Tom Ivan, defenseman Pierre  ( reported as “ Pete “ ) Pilot and forward Harry Watson.

Despite ticket prices of $1.25 for reserved seats and $1.00 general admission some 3,200 fans jammed the Arena to the rafters.  Arena Manager Walter Smilie reported turning away 200 fans.

Sportswriter Fred Wheeler wrote that the Hawks played non aggressive hockey concentrating on the playmaking essentials of the game.  Perhaps the pre-game steak dinner fed to the Hawks at the Legion slowed them down somewhat.

In any event , after the puck dropped the game was at one point tied at one before the pros pulled away to lead 5-1 at the end of the first period, 10-3 after two and 14-6 at the closing buzzer.  Shots on goal favoured the Hawks 45 -27 explaining why the crowd reportedly gave “big hands “to the Sarnia goaltending duo of Bobby Foster and Bill Armstrong.

Jack Kerwin and Pat “Whitey” Stapleton led the locals with a goal and assist each with the other goals going to Glaab, Savage, Ed Leslie and Ted Wright.  Other Sarnia assists were attributed to Bob Duncan and Dick Robinson.

Gate receipts were shared by the Legionaires and the S.M.A.A. hockey group.

A big night at the Brock Street Barn.