1938 Stanley Cup Finals vs Maple Leafs

Lore & Background

In 1937–38, the Black Hawks had a record of 14–25–9, almost missing the playoffs. They stunned the Canadiens and New York Americans on overtime goals in the deciding games of both semi-final series, advancing to the 1938 Stanley Cup Final against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Black Hawks goaltender Mike Karakas was injured and could not play, forcing a desperate Chicago team to pull minor-leaguer Alfie Moore out of a Toronto bar and onto the ice. Moore played one game and won it. Toronto refused to let Moore play the next, so Chicago used Paul Goodman in game 2 and lost. However, for the third and fourth games, Karakas was fitted with a special skate to protect his injured toe, and the team won both games. It was too late for Toronto, as the Hawks won their second championship. As of 2025, the 1937–38 Black Hawks possess the poorest regular season record of any Stanley Cup champion.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Chicago Stadium was thick with steam and anticipation, the crowd a roaring sea of red and black. As the puck dropped for Game 7, the silence that briefly fell over the arena was heavier than the noise that preceded it. Charlie Gardiner stood tall in his net, eyes locked on the opposing rush, while Bill Mosienko skated low to the ice, ready to seize any loose puck. It wasn't just a game; it was the culmination of a season's worth of doubt turned into triumph.

Reader's Guide

The 1938 Stanley Cup Finals were a best-of-five series. The Black Hawks won the series 3–1, with Karakas returning for the final two games after an injury. The team had previously won the Stanley Cup in 1934.

Did You Know?

• The 1937–38 Black Hawks had the worst regular-season record of any Stanley Cup champion.
• Goaltender Mike Karakas played the final two games of the 1938 Finals with a special skate to protect an injured toe.
• Alfie Moore was pulled from a Toronto bar to play one game in the 1938 Finals and won it.