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Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins 1952-53

The Stanley Cup is one of the most-recognized symbols in North American sports. It is the championship trophy of the NHL, National Hockey League won by one of the teams that have qualified for the championship finals after playing a series of playoff matches. It is the only trophy in professional sports that has the name of the winning players, coaches, management, and club staff engraved upon it. The Cup winners keep it until the new champion is crowned.

The Boston Bruins reached the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1946 after upsetting the Red Wings in six games in the semifinals. Bruins veteran Woody Dumart held Gordie Howe to only two goals in the series, and Boston bounced back from a 7-0 trouncing in the first game. Meanwhile, Montreal had a tough time with the Chicago Black Hawks, who were making their first playoff appearance in seven years. With Chicago leading the series 3-2, Montreal goaltender Gerry McNeil asked to be taken out for the betterment of the team and was replaced with Jacques Plante. The strategy seemed to work, as the Canadiens rallied to win the final two contests and advance to the finals.

Against the Canadiens, the Bruins were weakened by injuries to goaltender Sugar Jim Henry, who was replaced by minor leaguer Gordon Henry. Montreal and Boston split the first two games, with the Habs taking game 1, by 4-2 and the Bruins winning the second contest by 4-1. McNeil was back in goal for the Canadiens in game 3 and shut out Boston 3-0. Maurice Ric hard's hat trick in game 4 gave the Habs a 7-3 win and a 3-1 series lead. Henry returned to the Boston net in game 5, and he combined with McNeil to keep the contest scoreless through regulation.

This match between Montreal Canadiens versus Boston Bruins is known to be one of the best matches in the history of hockey, to be ever played, in which sheer determination, fighting spirit and clean game could be seen throughout the game. Young spectators had a lot to learn from this game, in which they experienced the exhibition of various game strategies and tricks.

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