Habs vs B's | West Coast Rink Rants

02:09 PM ET 01.14 | Last nights Boston Bruins 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadians was another entry in an ongoing saga that has evolved into one of the granddaddy rivalries of the NHL and though it only takes place on the North American theatre, based on the unconditional abhorrence and competitiveness shared by the two squads it ranks somewhere near the top among the supreme rivalries across the Continents.

Some of the most memorable moments in the sport have spawned from this feud.

A game between these two on March 13^th, 1955 that saw Maurice Richard try to scalp Hal Laycoe and then stomp one of the linesman for trying to restrain him.

Richard was retaliating from a high stick to the head from Laycoe and in his blind rage he thought the linesman was a Boston player.

This incident led NHL President Clarence Campbell to suspended Richard for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs.

The situation found its apex when Campbell attended the March 17^th game between the Habs and the visiting Red Wings.

There were fans protesting the suspension in front of the Forum and once Campbell made his way inside he was a marked target and was pelted with anything the irate Montreal fans could chuck.

Police and tear gas got involved and the Forum was evacuated, the chaos quickly ensued onto the streets and into the community surrounding the Stadium.

It became a full blown riot that did not evaporate until early the next day, but not before more then $500,000 worth of damage was produced in and around the Montreal Forum.

Richard even made a Rodney King "Can't we all just get along?" speech later that day through the press urging the Hab's loyalist's to respect Campbell's decision, but not before citing "his troubles in Boston" as the root of the issue.

Though they had their moments in the Sixties, it was the Seventies that proved to be another monumental era in this rivalry.

It always seemed just as the Bruins were on the cusp of becoming the next great dynasty, the Habs would have something to say about it and retain that throne.

The two teams would meet 4 times in the playoffs in the Seventies (twice in the Cup Finals) and Montreal won all four match-ups.

Coach Cherry, I will drink a Labatt's Blue for ya tonight!

Since then, the Bruins have had their share of victories, but nothing in regards to a Stanley Cup victory.

The beginning of this Century has been much of the same.

They have faced each other three times in the playoffs this decade and the Habs have advanced on all three occasions.

Both teams are loaded with talent once again this season and the Bruins have the season series edge at 3-1 with 2 to play.

Both teams are sure playoff participants and if they do meet up again in the Eastern bracket, the chance of some all-time classic material is a very good possibility.

It's been proven.

-MB

The Rivalry!