Maurice “Rocket” Richard:
By 1955, it would have been understandable if Bruins fans muttered and cursed at the mere mention of the great Montreal Hall of Famer. He was not only an iconic talent who set the standard for goal-scoring – his name today adorns the trophy given to the player who scores the most goals in a season – but he was also a fierce competitor who perhaps more than any Hab played with his French-Canadian pride on his sleeve. And in the decade leading up to this point, the Habs had ousted the Bruins five times, just the start of a Boston drought against Montreal that lasted 45 years. But in a game on March 13 of ‘55 at the Garden, things got ugly. After getting cut by a high-stick by the B’s Hal Laycoe, Richard went ballistic on Laycoe, swing his stick wildly until ultimately breaking it over the Bruin. Linesman Cliff Thompson tried to stop the assault, but Richard slugged him and went after Laycoe again before he was finally subdued and sent to the dressing room. The parties were called in for a hearing three days later and commissioner Clarence Campbell suspended Richard for the rest of the season. That wasn’t the end of it, of course. Campbell showed up at St. Patrick’s Day game at the Montreal Forum and it was not a good idea. He was pelted with debris and one fan slapped him. A tear gas bomb went off and the game had to be called, but the riot spilled into the streets. The next day, Richard had to make a televised plea to calm the public.