1969–70 St. Louis Blues season

1969–70 St. Louis Blues
Division 1st West
1969–70 record 37–27–12
Goals for 224
Goals against 179
Team information
General Manager Scotty Bowman
Coach Scotty Bowman
Captain Al Arbour
Arena St. Louis Arena
Team leaders
Goals Red Berenson (33)
Assists Phil Goyette (49)
Points Phil Goyette (78)
Penalties in minutes Barclay Plager (128)
Wins Jacques Plante (18)
Goals against average Ernie Wakely (2.11)
<1968–69 1970–71>

The 1969–70 St. Louis Blues season involved finishing in first place in the West Division for the second consecutive season. The Blues were the only team in the West Division with a winning record as they finished 22 points ahead of the second place Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blues matched their previous season's total of 37 wins but finished with 86 points, two points shy of the previous season's points total. NHL legend Camille Henry played his final game with the St. Louis Blues. Henry got 3 points in 4 games.

From a goaltending standpoint, the franchise experienced many changes. Glenn Hall had retired at the end of the 1968–69 season but returned. Despite an appearance in the All-Star Game, Jacques Plante played his final season in St. Louis. He was sold by the Blues to the Toronto Maple Leafs for cash, May 18, 1970. Ernie Wakely was acquired from the defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens and became the Blues starting goaltender for the following season.

In the playoffs, St. Louis defeated the Minnesota North Stars 4–2 and the Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 to advance to their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, where they were swept by the Boston Bruins. Phil Goyette became the first Lady Byng Trophy winner in franchise history as he led the team with 78 points.

Contents

Offseason

NHL Draft

Tommi Salmelainen was the first European drafted by an NHL franchise.[1]

Main article: 1969 NHL Amateur Draft
Round Pick Player Nationality
2 19 Mike Lowe  Canada
3 30 Bernie Gagnon  Canada
4 42 Vic "Skeeter" Teal  Canada
5 54 Brian Glenwright
6 66 Tommi Salmelainen  Finland
6 70 Dale Yutsyk
7 73 Bob Collyard
7 77 David Pulkkinen
8 80 Patrick Lange
9 82 John Converse

Regular season

Glenn Hall

As he did with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1966, Hall retired from St. Louis at the end of the 1968–69 season.[2] He was talked into returning, usually with a promise of more money, but he didn't profess to enjoy his livelihood.[2] Although Hall stayed in St. Louis, he still got nauseous before each game as he did earlier in his career.

Ernie Wakely

Ernie Wakely played 2 games from the Montreal Canadiens from 1962 to 1969. On June 27, 1969, Wakely got his big break when the Canadiens dealt the 28 year old to the St. Louis Blues for Norm Beaudin and Bobby Schmautz.[3] The 1969–70 season was a career season for Wakely. He appeared in 30 games for St. Louis, registering a 2.11 GAA and four shutouts.[3]

Wakely had to take over from the legendary Glenn Hall. Wakely made the most of his opportunity as he helped lead the Blues to the Stanley Cup finals. The Blues were defeated in four straight games by Bobby Orr's Boston Bruins.[3]

Final standings

West Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
St. Louis Blues 76 37 27 12 224 179 86
Pittsburgh Penguins 76 26 38 12 182 238 64
Minnesota North Stars 76 19 35 22 224 257 60
Oakland Seals 76 22 40 14 169 243 58
Philadelphia Flyers 76 17 35 24 197 225 58
Los Angeles Kings 76 14 52 150 168 290 38

Game log

No. R Date Score Opponent Record
1 W October 11, 1969 7–2 Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 1–0–0
2 W October 15, 1969 4–1 Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 2–0–0
3 W October 18, 1969 4–2 Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 3–0–0
4 L October 19, 1969 2–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 3–1–0
5 T October 22, 1969 3–3 @ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 3–1–1
6 L October 25, 1969 2–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 3–2–1
7 T October 26, 1969 0–0 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 3–2–2
8 T October 30, 1969 2–2 Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 3–2–3
9 W November 1, 1969 8–0 Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 4–2–3
10 L November 2, 1969 4–6 @ New York Rangers (1969–70) 4–3–3
11 T November 5, 1969 4–4 @ Boston Bruins (1969–70) 4–3–4
12 W November 6, 1969 5–2 @ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 5–3–4
13 L November 8, 1969 2–5 @ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 5–4–4
14 W November 13, 1969 4–0 Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 6–4–4
15 L November 15, 1969 2–3 Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 6–5–4
16 L November 16, 1969 2–4 @ New York Rangers (1969–70) 6–6–4
17 W November 19, 1969 4–0 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 7–6–4
18 W November 20, 1969 3–1 Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 8–6–4
19 L November 22, 1969 0–5 New York Rangers (1969–70) 8–7–4
20 W November 26, 1969 4–1 Oakland Seals (1969–70) 9–7–4
21 W November 29, 1969 3–1 Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 10–7–4
22 L November 30, 1969 1–3 @ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 10–8–4
23 W December 3, 1969 3–1 Oakland Seals (1969–70) 11–8–4
24 L December 6, 1969 1–5 Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 11–9–4
25 W December 7, 1969 4–1 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 12–9–4
26 T December 10, 1969 3–3 @ Oakland Seals (1969–70) 12–9–5
27 W December 13, 1969 8–1 @ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 13–9–5
28 W December 16, 1969 6–4 Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 14–9–5
29 T December 18, 1969 3–3 Boston Bruins (1969–70) 14–9–6
30 W December 20, 1969 3–0 Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 15–9–6
31 L December 21, 1969 0–4 @ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 15–10–6
32 W December 23, 1969 5–3 Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 16–10–6
33 W December 26, 1969 3–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 17–10–6
34 L December 27, 1969 1–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 17–11–6
35 W December 30, 1969 5–0 @ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 18–11–6
36 W January 3, 1970 6–0 Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 19–11–6
37 T January 7, 1970 2–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 19–11–7
38 L January 10, 1970 2–6 Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 19–12–7
39 L January 14, 1970 2–5 @ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 19–13–7
40 W January 15, 1970 2–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 20–13–7
41 W January 17, 1970 3–1 Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 21–13–7
42 W January 22, 1970 4–3 New York Rangers (1969–70) 22–13–7
43 L January 24, 1970 2–5 Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 22–14–7
44 L January 25, 1970 0–2 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 22–15–7
45 W January 28, 1970 6–1 @ Oakland Seals (1969–70) 23–15–7
46 W January 29, 1970 3–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 24–15–7
47 L January 31, 1970 1–2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 24–16–7
48 L February 4, 1970 0–1 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 24–17–7
49 L February 6, 1970 1–2 Oakland Seals (1969–70) 24–18–7
50 L February 8, 1970 1–7 @ Boston Bruins (1969–70) 24–19–7
51 L February 11, 1970 2–3 Boston Bruins (1969–70) 24–20–7
52 L February 12, 1970 2–5 @ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 24–21–7
53 W February 14, 1970 2–1 Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 25–21–7
54 T February 15, 1970 3–3 @ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 25–21–8
55 W February 18, 1970 5–2 Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 26–21–8
56 W February 20, 1970 3–1 @ Oakland Seals (1969–70) 27–21–8
57 W February 21, 1970 4–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 28–21–8
58 L February 25, 1970 1–2 @ New York Rangers (1969–70) 28–22–8
59 W February 28, 1970 3–2 @ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 29–22–8
60 L March 1, 1970 1–3 @ Boston Bruins (1969–70) 29–23–8
61 W March 4, 1970 3–1 Boston Bruins (1969–70) 30–23–8
62 W March 6, 1970 3–1 New York Rangers (1969–70) 31–23–8
63 T March 7, 1970 2–2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 31–23–9
64 W March 11, 1970 9–1 @ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 32–23–9
65 W March 12, 1970 4–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 33–23–9
66 L March 14, 1970 2–6 Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 33–24–9
67 T March 17, 1970 5–5 Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 33–24–10
68 W March 19, 1970 3–1 Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 34–24–10
69 L March 21, 1970 0–2 Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 34–25–10
70 L March 22, 1970 0–1 @ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 34–26–10
71 W March 24, 1970 4–0 @ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 35–26–10
72 L March 27, 1970 2–3 @ Oakland Seals (1969–70) 35–27–10
73 T March 29, 1970 5–5 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 35–27–11
74 T April 1, 1970 2–2 Oakland Seals (1969–70) 35–27–12
75 W April 2, 1970 1–0 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 36–27–12
76 W April 4, 1970 3–1 Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 37–27–12

Playoffs

West Division Semi-Finals

In the West Division playoffs, the St.Louis Blues ousted the Minnesota North Stars in six games. The Blues won the first two games at the St. Louis Arena. Game three at the Metropolitan Sports Center featured Gump Worsley's sharp goaltending and Bill Goldsworthy scoring two goals in a 4–2 win for the North Stars. Cesare Maniago played in goal for Minnesota in game four and picked up a 4–0 shutout, tying the series. Game five at St. Louis Arena was tied 3–3 when St Louis scored three goals in the third period by Red Berenson, Terry Gray and Jim Roberts and the Blues won 6–3. In game six, Ab McDonald scored two goals as the Blues eliminated the North Stars by a score of 4–2.

West Division Finals

Stanley Cup Finals

Boston Bruins vs. St. Louis Blues

Date Visitors Score Home Score Notes
May 3 Boston 6 St. Louis 1
May 5 Boston 6 St. Louis 2
May 7 St. Louis 1 Boston 4
May 10 St. Louis 3 Boston 4 OT

For the third consecutive year, the Blues were swept in the Stanley Cup finals. This time, they faced the Boston Bruins, who, with stars like Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, were more than a match for them. The first three games were not close. The Blues managed to force overtime in game 4, but Orr scored the most famous goal in NHL history to end the series.

Player stats

Regular season

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG
Goyette, PhilPhil Goyette C 72 29 49 78 16 13 0 5
Berenson, RedRed Berenson C 67 33 39 72 38 16 0 8
St. Marseille, FrankFrank St. Marseille RW 74 16 43 59 18 3 0 1
McDonald, AbAb McDonald LW 64 25 30 55 8 11 0 4
Sabourin, GaryGary Sabourin RW 72 28 14 42 61 11 0 5
Ecclestone, TimTim Ecclestone LW 65 16 21 37 59 5 0 2
Keenan, LarryLarry Keenan LW 56 10 23 33 8 3 0 0
McCreary, BillBill McCreary LW 73 15 17 32 16 2 1 1
Plager, BarclayBarclay Plager D 75 6 26 32 128 1 1 1
Roberts, JimmyJimmy Roberts D/RW 76 13 17 30 51 1 2 4
Anderson, RonRon Anderson RW 59 9 9 18 36 0 0 0
Boudrias, AndreAndre Boudrias LW 50 3 14 17 20 1 0 2
Talbot, Jean-GuyJean-Guy Talbot D 75 2 15 17 40 0 1 0
Plager, BobBob Plager D 64 3 11 14 113 0 0 0
Crisp, TerryTerry Crisp C 26 5 6 11 2 0 0 1
Gray, TerryTerry Gray RW 28 2 5 7 17 0 0 2
Fortin, RayRay Fortin D 57 1 4 5 19 0 0 0
Picard, NoelNoel Picard D 39 1 4 5 88 1 0 0
Plager, BillBill Plager D 24 1 4 5 30 0 0 0
Dennis, NormNorm Dennis C 5 3 0 3 5 0 0 0
Maki, WayneWayne Maki LW 16 2 1 3 4 0 0 1
Henry, CamilleCamille Henry C 4 1 2 3 0 1 0 0
Arbour, AlAl Arbour D 68 0 3 3 85 0 0 0
Plante, JacquesJacques Plante G 32 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
Buchanan, RonRon Buchanan C 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Edwards, GaryGary Edwards G 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hall, GlennGlenn Hall G 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jirik, JaroslavJaroslav Jirik LW 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakely, ErnieErnie Wakely G 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T GA GAA SO
Plante, JacquesJacques Plante 1839 32 18 9 5 67 2.19 5
Wakely, ErnieErnie Wakely 1651 30 12 9 4 58 2.11 4
Hall, GlennGlenn Hall 1010 18 7 8 3 49 2.91 1
Edwards, GaryGary Edwards 60 1 0 1 0 4 4.00 0
Team: 4560 76 37 27 12 178 2.34 10

Playoffs

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG
McDonald, AbAb McDonald LW 16 5 10 15 13 3 0 0
Goyette, PhilPhil Goyette C 16 3 11 14 6 1 0 2
Keenan, LarryLarry Keenan LW 16 7 6 13 0 4 0 2
St. Marseille, FrankFrank St. Marseille RW 15 6 7 13 4 3 0 1
Berenson, RedRed Berenson C 16 7 5 12 8 3 1 1
McCreary, BillBill McCreary LW 15 1 7 8 0 0 0 0
Ecclestone, TimTim Ecclestone LW 16 3 4 7 48 1 1 0
Talbot, Jean-GuyJean-Guy Talbot D 16 1 6 7 16 0 0 0
Boudrias, AndreAndre Boudrias LW 14 2 4 6 4 1 0 0
Sabourin, GaryGary Sabourin RW 16 5 0 5 10 0 0 1
Crisp, TerryTerry Crisp C 16 2 3 5 2 1 0 0
Roberts, JimmyJimmy Roberts D/RW 16 2 3 5 29 0 0 0
Gray, TerryTerry Gray RW 16 2 1 3 4 1 0 1
Plager, BobBob Plager D 16 0 3 3 46 0 0 0
Picard, NoelNoel Picard D 16 0 2 2 65 0 0 0
Plager, BarclayBarclay Plager D 13 0 2 2 20 0 0 0
Arbour, AlAl Arbour D 14 0 1 1 16 0 0 0
Anderson, RonRon Anderson RW 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Dennis, NormNorm Dennis C 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Fortin, RayRay Fortin D 3 0 0 0 6 0 0 0
Hall, GlennGlenn Hall G 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Plager, BillBill Plager D 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Plante, JacquesJacques Plante G 6 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Wakely, ErnieErnie Wakely G 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO
Hall, GlennGlenn Hall 421 7 4 3 21 2.99 0
Plante, JacquesJacques Plante 324 6 4 1 8 1.48 1
Wakely, ErnieErnie Wakely 216 4 0 4 17 4.72 0
Team: 961 16 8 8 46 2.87 1

[4]

Note:

Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

Draft picks

Farm teams

See also

References

  1. ^ Hockey’s Book of Firsts, p.46, James Duplacey, JG Press, ISBN 978-1-57215-037-9
  2. ^ a b Legends of Hockey - The Legends - Honoured Player - Hall, Glenn - Biography
  3. ^ a b c Montreal Canadiens Goaltenders: Ernie Wakely 1962-69
  4. ^ "1969-70 St. Louis Blues Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/STL/1970.html. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
Franchise
Arenas
St. Louis Arena (1967-94) · Scottrade Center (1994-present)
Culture and lore
Key personnel
Owner: Dave Checketts · President of hockey operations: John Davidson · General manager: Doug Armstrong · Head coach: Ken Hitchcock · Team captain: David Backes
Minor league affiliates
1960s
1960–61 • 1961–62 • 1962–63 • 1963–64 • 1964–65 • 1965–66 • 1966–67 • 1967–68 • 1968–69 • 1969–70
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
East
West
Los Angeles • Minnesota • Oakland • Philadelphia • Pittsburgh • St. Louis
See also