September 18

National Hockey League teams began exhibition play in earnest last night with five games. A couple of the new teams made their debuts with mixed results.

Toronto won their second straight, a 5-2 thumping of their Rochester American Hockey League team. The New York Rangers handed the Boston Bruins their second straight loss, trouncing Boston 7-0. The Minnesota North Stars downed the California Seals 3-1 while Detroit took care of their Fort Worth Central Professional Hockey League farm 6-4. And in the most surprising outcome of the evening, the AHL Quebec Aces shocked their parent club, the Philadelphia Flyers by a 6-1 score.

Walton Nets a Pair

At Peterborough Mike Walton celebrated signing his 1967-68 contract by scoring two goals to pace the Toronto attack. Ron Ellis, Frank Mahovlich and Dave Keon added the other Leaf goals. Ellis also assisted on Walton’s two. Dick Gamble and Mike Byers replied for the Amerks.

Johnny Bower tended goal for the Leafs for the first two periods before giving way to young Al Smith for the third. They each surrendered one goal.

Hat Trick for Jeffrey

Off-season acquisition Larry Jeffrey was the star as the Rangers blasted the Bruins at Kitchener. Jeffrey scored three goals to lead the Rangers to their lopsided victory. He appeared to have scored a fourth goal but referee John Ashley ruled the puck had hit the crossbar. Most observers disagreed.

Don Marshall scored twice for the New Yorkers with Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield adding singles.

Stars Over Seals

Minnesota defenceman Mike McMahon was the offensive star as he scored two goals to lead the North Stars past the Seals at Port Huron, Michigan. Parker MacDonald had the other Minnesota goal while Jean Paul Parise replied for the host Seals.

After losing to their Memphis farm club the previous night, the Stars came up with an aggressive and close-checking effort against California. Goaltender Gary Bauman played the entire game for Minnesota, making 30 saves. He appears to be establishing himself as the number one netminder.

Gary Smith played the first 40 minutes in goal for the Seals, giving up all three goals. Veteran  Jack McCartan took over in the third and blocked all five shots he faced.

Sid Has Lots to be Happy About

Detroit Red Wings general manager-coach Sid Abel had a lot to be pleased about with the Red Wings win over Fort Worth. Not only did the Wings put on a good offensive display with six goals, Abel’s son Gerry fired a pair for Fort Worth.

Doug Roberts, who earned a spot late last season with the Wings, picked up where he left off with two goals. Other Red Wing goal-getters were Irv Spencer, Paul Henderson, Gordie Howe and Floyd Smith. Gary Bergman and Peter Mahovlich, loaned to Fort Worth for the 10 a.m. game, had their other two goals.

Aces Strafe Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Bud Poile and coach Keith Allen may have to rethink a few things after yesterdays embarrassingly one-sided loss to their Quebec farm club. One thing is sure – some of those players who came to the Flyers organization when they purchased the Quebec franchise are likely going to help the NHL squad.

Allen, while giving full credit to the Aces, said that things might have been much different if holdout defencemen Joe Watson and Ed Van Impe had played. They dressed for the game, as required by Poile in order to continue contract negotiations, but they didn’t see the ice and sat in the stands for the final 20 minutes.

Six players shared in the Quebec scoring with Jimmy Morrison, Wayne Hicks, Bill Sutherland, Rene Drolet, Andre Lacroix and Keke Mortson netting one goal each. Jimmy Johnson ruined Doug Favell’s shutout bid.

Bernie Parent saw duty in goal for the Flyers over the first 40 minutes, giving up four goals. Gilles Banville played the final half of the game.

Parent Takes the Blame

Ed Conrad of the Philadelphia Daily News said that Parent blamed himself for the embarrassing loss when he interviewed him after the game:

“Maybe it because it opening game. Maybe it because we have some players who are hurt and not playing. Maybe it because not all our players in uniform.

“But biggest reason we look so bad today was me. I play badly. I have terrible game. Maybe it be better if Banville play whole game. He do much better than me.”

Parent said that his reflexes need tuning up and that his concentration must improve:

“That big reason for how bad I play. Two goals they deserve. Two others they get because I not paying attention.

“It is true, I not keep my mind on the game. Couple times when I am not concentrating I give away goals. That bad for me and bad for the team.”

Contract Woes Plague Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs contract woes took another turn on the weekend. Forwards Bob Pulford and Brian Conacher, frustrated with a lack of progress in their negotiations, decided to leave camp and go home.

Leafs other high-profile holdout, defenceman Tim Horton, arrived in camp on Sunday, stayed for a few hours before returning to Toronto. He did participate in the morning and afternoon workouts of Leafs Tulsa farm club. As he left, he told reports he would likely be back on Tuesday. He said that he planned all along to leave today if contract negotiations with manager-coach Punch Imlach weren’t completed.

Imlach wouldn’t characterize how successful the talks were. He also claimed to be unaware of why Pulford and Conacher were absent:

“I don’t know why they left.”

Imlach would not comment on a report that he would suspend all three players other than to say, “I have lots of time to take any steps necessary before the season opens.”

Conacher wouldn’t comment on his situation. There are reports that he told King Clancy that he could make more money selling insurance than he could with what the Leafs are offering him.

Quick Hits

• California Seals say they have terminated contract talks with goalkeeper Charlie Hodge. He was the Seals first pick in the goaltender phase of the Expansion Draft.
• North Stars defenceman Elmer Vasko is still having knee problems. He’s been ordered off skates for a week. He joins forwards Bill Masterton and Billy Taylor on the sidelines.

  

• North Stars general manager-coach Wren Blair was so upset with the play of Cesare Maniago, Dave Balon and Wayne Connelly during Saturday’s exhibition game that he sent all three to the showers after the second period.
• North Stars forward Ted Taylor reported to camp yesterday after being given permission to be late to work on his farm back home in Manitoba.
• Coach Bill Long of the new Ottawa 67s Ontario Hockey Association Junior A team says the best players in training camp have been goalies Peter Donnelly and Gary Doyle.