1936 MHL Playoffs: Abbott Cup Final

(W1) Chicago Wildcats (30-25-9) vs (E1) Brooklyn Kings (29-24-11)

The Abbott Cup final for the league’s 1936 season was between the two #1 seeds, both of whom finished the season with the same point total.

The series started with a bang, as just 15 seconds in, Chicago’s Henry Baumgartner took a shot that bounced off of the shoulder of Brooklyn goalie Randall Thomas, and into the net. The home crowd, which was already loud, got even louder with the perfect start. Still early in the period, Lawrence Tabor sent over a perfect pass cross-crease to Michel Bergeron, who just had to direct the puck in with his stick. It was 2-0 Chicago just 6 minutes in. Brooklyn would get an opportunity for a power play soon after, and blown coverage would lead to Raymond Mullins scoring his second of the postseason to get the Kings on the board. the remainder of the period was still intense, but had no goals. The Wildcats were up 1 after 1.

Chicago would get a turn on the power play in the second, and 2:09 into the middle frame, Christophe Jacques took a burst of speed to get past the defense, and beat Thomas on a rare PP breakaway. After that, the game’s pace would slow down and shift to a tighter, closer-checking game. Few chances happened on both sides, which Chicago was fine with.  The hosts did have a couple good looks, but Thomas did well in his limited reps in the second. After 40 minutes, Chicago was up 3-1.

In the third period, Lawrence Tabor, not exactly known for his shot, made a nice toe drag before firing a shot past Thomas to make it 4-1 for his Wildcats. Chicago had the upper hand in possession and shots, and at the halfway point, Allan Gibson would bat in a blocked shot past Thomas, effectively putting the game out of reach. Chicago wouldn’t let their foot off the gas, but the fifth goal would end up being the final one of the game. The Wildcats took the opening game at home, by a comfortable 4-goal cushion.

Game 1: Chicago 5, Brooklyn 1 (Chicago leads series 1-0)

Game 2 saw the same energy from the crowd, and also had a similar quick start. However, it was the visitors would would strike first. Michael Sutherland fanned on a shot, but the shot still managed to hit the post, go off of Claude Kepkay, and in. Chicago seemed unfazed by this, as just 33 seconds after, they stole the puck at centre, went in 2-0, and Alex Klassen fed Alexander Walters to tie it up and ignite the crowd. The Wildcats continued making Brooklyn pay for mistakes, with Trevor Alrick finishing not one, but two plays resulting from Kings turnovers. Between this and game 1, the Wildcat offense was rolling. Chicago led 3-1 after 20.

Chicago continued their offensive dominance in the second, at least through possession and shots. Randall Thomas would play very well in the middle frame, stopping all 11 Chicago shots he faced. At the other end, Claude Kepkay wasn’t very busy, but like his counterpart, he also stopped every shot he faced. Ultimately, there was no scoring in the second period, and the 3-1 lead held after 40 minutes of play.

The third was another period dominated by Chicago, who really had the upper hand early in the series. Dan Vanderbeken would extend the lead halfway through, with a shot that just went between Thomas and the post, with no room for error. The crowd, which had rarely not been on their feet in the opening games, were having a blast. Vanderbeken would double-dip late, off a shot that Thomas didn’t get all of. He just had to tap the puck into the net. Time ran out, and for the second straight game, Chicago were 5-1 victors, and had everything on their side heading to Brooklyn.

Game 2: Chicago 5, Brooklyn 1 (Chicago leads series 2-0)

The Brooklyn Auditorium was the site for games 3 and 4, and the crowd definitely wasn’t as excited as they could have been, with the series not close to being in their favour. Nevertheless, they still cheered on their team and hoped for a change in fortune. The first period was the first time in the series where Brooklyn had the upper hand possession-wise, as Chicago was suffocated for offense, managing only 3 shots. Brooklyn would more than double that number, but Kepkay wouldn’t let any of those through for goals. The opening period finished scoreless.

In the second, play was more even, and more quick. 8 minutes in, the scoring was opened, off a Chicago odd-man rush. Alexander Walters gave Thomas no chance of saving his shot, and it was looking good for the Wildcats. Chicago would get some more chances in quick succession, but none would go in. Brooklyn got opportunities their own way, but they also were unsuccessful, so the lone goal was what separated the two teams after 40.

The third period started in Brooklyn’s favour, as they got a power play that Matthew Tabor converted from in close. With the crowd back into it, Chicago would play harder to try and dispel it. They limited Brooklyn’s chances well, while getting shots of their own. However, off of another power play, the Kings would get their first lead since early in game 2, off a pinballing shot that went off of Georges Paquet and in. With 4 minutes to play, Brooklyn needed to hang on. Of course, they didn’t, as Henry Baumgartner potted home a rebound to tie it up. Things got heated after the goal, with a couple of scrums of pushing and shoving. Eventually, play resumed, and the little time still on the clock ran out. The two teams were headed to overtime.

In the extra frame, it didn’t take long for the game to end. John Laurence took a shot that bounced funnily off the end boards, and right to Walter Tieide, who beat an unsuspecting Kepkay to give the Kings their first win of the series. The Brooklyn Aud erupted, and the fans were going to go home happy. It was a competitive series again.

Game 3: Brooklyn 3, Chicago 2 (OT) (Chicago leads series 2-1)

Game 4 saw some renewed hope in the Brooklyn crowd, but also uneasy energy. They were still down, and a Chicago victory would have the Abbott Cup firmly within their grasp. It felt like a must-win for the Kings.

The game didn’t start in the hosts' favour. A defensive zone turnover saw Mark Young all alone in the slot in front of Thomas, and he beat the goalie between the arm and torso. Chicago was the better team for the remainder of the period, but that one goal would be the lone score of the first 20. Not the start the Kings were looking for.

In the second, there wasn’t much action until the later stages. It almost took the crowd completely out of it, but with 5 minutes to play in the middle frame, there was energy again. An attempt by Chicago to clear the zone would go off of Lloyd Gerrard’s skate and right to Raymond Mullins, who had a wide open net to shoot at. They had momentum now, and just 1 minute later, Martin Ferre beat Kepkay to give the hosts a 2-1 lead. The crowd was loving it, and if they held on, it would be a 2-2 series.

Unfortunately, Brooklyn did NOT hold on to their 2-1 lead. Off the opening faceoff, Chicago swarmed the Brooklyn defense, forced a turnover, had a quick passing play, and Lawrence Tabor beat Thomas to tie it up just 6 seconds in. Before the halfway mark, Allan Gibson would score shorthanded, and Patrick Quinn finished a beautiful passing play, making it 4-2 Chicago. the Brooklyn Aud was stunned. The Kings needed to respond, and with under 4 minutes to go, Mullins’ second of the game put Brooklyn within 1. They furiously looked for a tying goal, but it wasn’t to be. A strong forecheck by Chicago would result in their insurance goal, scored by Michel Bergeron. The Wildcats took game 4, 5-3, and were a win away from the Abbott Cup.

Game 4: Chicago 5, Brooklyn 3 (Chicago leads series 3-1)

Back in Chicago, the home fans weren’t just hoping for their team to win, they were expecting it. With how they’d played, it felt like they were unstoppable at home. Brooklyn needed to play their best hockey of the year to stay alive.

4 minutes into the game, Brooklyn got off to a good start, with Richard Perroges scoring on a rebound. Despite the goal, the first period was majority controlled by Chicago, though they were unable to get anything past Thomas. Brooklyn would get more chances of their own, and they looked much better than in the first 2 games in Chicago. The early goal would be the only score of the period, Brooklyn’s first time leading after a period on the road this series.

The Kings had an early power play in the second, and Matthew Tabor would convert, beating Kepkay from a sharp angle. Adding to the firsts for Brooklyn this series, this was their first multi-goal lead of the finals. The middle portion of the period wasn’t very interesting, with few shots for either team. The pace would pick back up late, as Lawrence Tabor, the brother of Brooklyn’s latest goalscorer, scored to get Chicago on the board. The Kings would respond quickly, with Raymond Mullins scoring his fifth of the postseason on a rebound. The Kings took their 3-1 lead to the room after 2.

Chicago got back on the board 5 minutes into the third, off a point shot from Alex Klassen that Thomas didn’t see. While Chicago ended up outshooting the Kings in the third, Brooklyn did well to limit their chances to low-danger and outside shots that Thomas could handle well. Georges Paquet’s 2nd goal in 2 games would give Brooklyn a 2-goal cushion in the last two minutes. Time ran out, and the Kings did what they needed to do, come to Chicago and steal a game to stay alive. 

Game 5: Brooklyn 4, Chicago 2 (Chicago leads series 3-2)

Back in Brooklyn for game 6, the Aud was electric as ever. Now they they had beaten Chicago in Chicago, their fans felt they could complete the crazy comeback. But their first order of business to do that was to win at home.

Just 23 seconds into the came, Georges Paquet continued his goal-scoring streak, beating Kepkay from a tight angle and making the electric crowd even more rowdy. Chicago came back firing, but Randall Thomas, who had been very solid in game 5, continued his hot form in turning away all 11 shots that went his way. The early goal was the only scoring in the opening period, and Brooklyn was hanging on.

THe second period had good chances both ways. Thomas made a great reflex save off a pinball shot, while Kepkay turned away several hot shots from Brooklyn players. John Mair made a nice rush to the net, but his initial shot and rebound were both turned away. Eventually, Paquet, who had the game’s only goal, finally beat Kepkay again on a partial breakaway, giving the Kings a 2-0 lead. It was looking good for Brooklyn, who were a period away from tying the series and forcing a game 7.

In the final frame, Brooklyn had an early power play, and Mair, who already had a good chance earlier, would hit the post. They would have another chance on the man advantage later, one of 8 on the night, and Raymond Mullins scored his sixth of the postseason to make it 3-0. Chicago had a beautiful chance later to tie it, but Alexander Walters hit the post on a wide-open net. Ultimately, despite taking 26 shots, Chicago couldn’t beat Thomas, who posted his first career playoff shutout under the brightest of lights. It would come down to a winner-take-all game 7 for the second straight year. 

Game 6: Brooklyn 3, Chicago 0 (Series tied 3-3)

Game 7 was back at Adrianson Arena, the first one held at Chicago’s relatively new home. It didn’t compare in buzz or atmosphere to last year’s crazy game, but as a do or die for both teams, it was clearly a tense and electric atmosphere.

The first period was intense. Brooklyn had a beautiful chance early on, but the shot from John Laurence would hit the outside of the right post and bounce out. That would be the best look of the opening frame, but that didn’t mean there weren’t other chances. The two goalies did their job well, keeping it scoreless after the first 20 minutes of play. There was some chippiness toward the end of the frame, and almost a fight, but knowing how crucial penalties could be in deciding the game, players were smart enough to not engage.

It didn’t take long for there to be action in the second period. Henry Baumgartner would pick up a loose puck in the neutral zone, skate in, and snipe a shot top right corner over Thomas’s shoulder 20 seconds in. The crowd erupted, and Chicago almost breathed a sigh of relief after being shutout in game 6. 8 minutes later, Baumgartner scored again, off a simple shot going into the zone. The crowd loved that too. After a penalty off the ensuing faceoff, Brooklyn set up their man advantage, and John Laurence went in alone with a beautiful move before beating Kepkay, getting Brooklyn on the board. Patrick Quinn quickly scored to restore the lead to 2 goals, but late in the frame, Lloyd Gerrard made a beautiful move past a defender before scoring, and it was a 1-goal lead again, but Chicago was up heading into the final regulation period of the year.

30 seconds into the third period, Baumgartner, already at two goals on the night, capitalized on a rebound, finishing the hat trick to the delight of the home crowd. It was Chicago’s third 2-goal lead of the game, but Brooklyn wasn’t giving up yet. Martin Ferre would take the puck off a blocked shot, quickly shoot, and beat Kepkay to make it a one-goal game yet again. Like they had each time before, Chicago responded, and with 11 minutes to play, Michel Bergeron chipped a puck past a defender, went in alone, and beat Thomas 5-hole. It was 5-3, and Chicago played the remainder of the game like they weren’t gonna lose it. And hold on they did.

Time ran out, and Chicago celebrated. It was their second Abbott Cup victory, and their first at home. Commissioner Richard Holland presented the trophy, accepted by captain Daniel Vanderbeken. The day after, the team was honoured at city hall, with the trophy in tow.

Game 7: Chicago 5, Brooklyn 3 (Chicago wins series 4-3)

I'm concerned about how the teams will fare during the Great Depression