Christmas Day games weren’t all winter classics
As part of the Leafs centennial season, The Star is taking a look at significant moments in the franchise’s history. This is the second instalment in the series, which is written by hockey historian Kevin Shea.
Christmas Day contests in the National Hockey League were, at one time, a grand tradition for fans. It was a delightful respite for families at the end of a day that began with excitement and loudness, chaos and tidying. But it wasn’t nearly as enjoyable for players, who often had to be away from their family on that special day, explaining to their children why Santa Claus was coming early to their house that year.
The very first Christmas game played by the Toronto franchise in the National Hockey League was a Dec. 25, 1920 contest against the Montreal Canadiens that saw the St. Patricks edge their visitors 5-4. The St. Pats would play three Christmas games, winning their first but losing the other two.
The team became the Maple Leafs in February, 1927 and played their first Christmas game against the Montreal Maroons in1928. Although the Leafs won 4-1, there was little Christmas cheer. “It was a ding-dong battle that saw a total of 23 penalties and a fine of $100 plastered on manager Connie Smythe of the Leafs for vociferously directing Referee O’Leary’s attention to an alleged foul,” reported the Toronto Daily Star.
Toronto set an ignominious NHL record on Dec. 25, 1930 when they visited Detroit and lost 10-1 to the Falcons, suffering the worst NHL loss in a Christmas game.
That wasn’t Toronto’s longest string of consecutive Christmas games. They beat the Bruins 4-1 in 1960 and nine years later, in 1968, visited Chicago and skated away with a 4-3 victory.
Darryl Sittler was a rookie when the Leafs played in Minnesota on Christmas Day 1970. “I was the only single guy on the team. It was tougher on the guys who were married with kids,” he recalled. “The hotel was empty and the restaurant was closed.” Still, the stands were full as fans watched their North Stars double Toronto 6-3.
The final Christmas Day game for Toronto was at home to the Detroit Red Wings in 1971. Billy MacMillan, the pride of P.E.I., fired a hat trick in leading the Leafs to a 5-3 win.
The National Hockey League Players’ Association put an end to teams playing on Christmas Day, and the tradition of playing on the holiday ended with the six games in 1971.
No players were heartbroken to see the last of Christmas Day games, giving them the opportunity to put some routine into their family holiday. Sittler smiled, commenting, “There are enough other days in the year when you can play.” Kevin Shea is a hockey historian and author of “The Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club: Official Centennial Publication, 1917-2017.” His column will appear every other week throughout the Leafs’ centennial season. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinsheahockey.