Stanley Cup (1952)

Lore & Background

The Red Wings swept the Canadiens in four games, shutting them out twice and allowing one goal in each of the other two games. The Red Wings had also swept the Toronto Maple Leafs to reach the Finals, becoming the first team to go 8–0 in an NHL postseason, and became the first undefeated NHL playoff team since the 1928–29 Boston Bruins went 5–0.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Montreal Forum was thick with tension and the smell of popcorn and sweat. It was Game Seven, the deciding match that would determine the fate of the Stanley Cup. As Gordie Howe skated down the ice, his eyes locked on the net, he felt the weight of the entire franchise resting on his shoulders. The crowd roared as the puck dropped, a blur of white against the dark ice. With a swift motion of his stick, he sent it flying past the goalie, and the arena erupted in a chaotic mix of cheers and groans. In that moment, history was made.

Reader's Guide

Detroit defeated the defending champion Toronto Maple Leafs 4–0 to reach the Finals. Montreal defeated the Boston Bruins 4–3 to reach the Finals. Terry Sawchuk posted two shutouts in his Cup Finals debut. Gordie Howe scored two goals in his Cup Finals debut. The Red Wings went through the playoffs perfect, a feat that has been replicated only once since: in 1960, the Canadiens went 8–0 against first the Chicago Black Hawks and then the Maple Leafs en route to their record fifth consecutive Stanley Cup.

Did You Know?

• The 1952 Stanley Cup was presented to Red Wings captain Sid Abel by NHL President Clarence Campbell following the Red Wings 3–0 win over the Canadiens in game four.
• Glenn Hall was engraved on the Stanley Cup before he played his first NHL game in the 1952–53 season. He was listed as GLEN HALL on the original engraving and as GLIN HALL on the 1957–58 redo.
• Enio Sclisizzi did not have his name included when the cup was redone in 1957–58; he played only nine games and did not play in the playoffs.