Game 1: Milt Schmidt sets the tone early, laying out Bobby Orr with a serious open ice hit. And that's the story of the game, Schmidt hits Orr, Tremblay hits Orr, Tremblay hits Orr, Laperriere hits Orr, Talbot hits Orr, Van Impe hits Orr... I'm pretty sure Burns even takes a shot at him. Orr is resilient, he never lets the attention get him down, but it is seriously effecting his ability to posses the puck. Mikita gets a pair.
Detroit wins game 1 2-0 for a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Day mixes things up and puts Lionel Conacher with Bobby Orr to try and give Orr some room and protection. Early in the first, Schmidt goes high, possibly leaving his feet when he pastes Orr into the end boards while forechecking. Conacher is immediately on the scene, and a fight breaks out between Schmidt and the Big Train. Lionel wins it easily. But this doesn't make things easier for Orr, with his enforcer off for 5, Ferguson acts with impunity, hitting Orr with a cruel knee on knee. Orr is escorted off on a stretcher while Ferguson is by the linesmen. The attack has the opposite effect Ferguson planned. Nanaimo is fired up to defend their fallen leader. Nighbor, Charlie Conacher and Litzenberger add goals, while Dumart pots one for Detroit.
Nanaimo wins game 2 3-1 to tie the series 1-1.
Game 3: Ferguson is suspended for the next three games. Orr is sitting on the bench, but is not on the starting line. The game is a tight defensive fair, with Brimsek and Benedict stealing the show. Orr is kept on the bench, Nanaimo running a short bench. Late in the 2nd, faceoff in Detroits goal, Orr taps Day on the shoulder, Day nods and summons Hitchman. Primeau wins the faceoff, back to Orr...BOOM! One timer goal. Orr takes a few shifts and plays conservatively in the third.
Nanaimo wins game 3 1-0 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4: Orr assured the media that he's 100 percent healthy, but Vegas isn't convinced. Wrong call. Right off the bat, Orr takes the puck, undresses Dumart like a virgin on his honeymoon, give and go with Schriner leaves Schmidt in Orr's dust...Orr slides across the faceoff circle, teasing a wrist shot, pass to Conacher at the side of the net...GOAL! Orr continues to lay it on think, but Brimsek is up to the task. goals by Mikita and Schmidt give Detroit the lead. But Orr's having none of that, tying it up with a PK goal. Weiland adds a goal to prevent the game from going to overtime.
Nanaimo wins game 4 3-2 to take a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5: Orr continues to control the pace of the game, but Detroit's thorough defensive game plan keeps him off the score sheet. Schmidt sets up Bauer and Orr sets up Rousseau. Benedict and Brimsek shut things down and send things to overtime. Resting the top lines, Detroit sends out the Mosdell line, Day capitalizes by rushing out Orr with the Primeau line. most of the Mosdell line changes for the Mikita line, but Patrick is pinned on the ice. Mikita steals the puck, intercepting an Orr to Schriner pass. He takes the zone, cycles, passes to Lynn Patrick, who fires a shot with the grace of a 1st liner...GOAL! Patrick, who wouldn't have dressed without the Ferguson suspension, is the overtime hero.
Detroit wins game 5 2-1 in OT to make the series 3-2 for Nanaimo.
Game 6: Nanaimo with a chance to clinch at home and Orr is going to do everything in his power to do it. He gets an early goal before Detroit can properly lock down. Late in the 2nd, Dumart ties it up from a beauty Schmidt pass. Defensive battle until midway through the third. Orr leading the rush. Orr to Nighbor, intercepted by Mikita, Orr strips Mikita. Pass to Stevens, back to Orr, one timer...STOPPED BY BRIMSEK! Litzenberger gets the rebound, tries to jam it home, can't, flicks it behind him, Orr get it, fake, deke, fake, shot...GOAL!
Nanaimo wins game 6 2-1 to win the series 4-2.
The Nanaimo Clippers defeat the Detroit Falcons in 6 games.
Three Stars:
1st: Bobby Orr
2nd: Milt Schmidt
3rd: Stan Mikita