I remember watching him as a kid and his kick saves were just lightning quick. One of my favorite goalies of all time. RIP Gilles Gilbert!!!
Gilbert vs Parent in 74. A goaltending dual for the ages.It took many years but Cherry finally admitted Gilbert should have been in goal but Harry wanted Cheevers.
You can't blame Gilbert for the 1974 SCF loss to the Flyers.
Gilbert vs Parent in 74. A goaltending dual for the ages.
Maybe it was Sinden, maybe not. I do respect your opinion. My theory, and no more to believe mine than yours, is that Cherry had a problem with goalies. Cherry had trouble getting along with his goalies in Colorado, I remember that distinctly. Also, Cherry wasn't one to kow-tow to Harry. Cheevers had a 4.50 GAA against Montreal that season. Given Cheevers' problems in earlier seasons, as well as that season at the Forum, Cherry should have been very quick with the hook. Worst decision of Cherry's career, IMO.
Goalies in hockey and soccer, much like pitchers in BB, are different animals that the others. Cheevers, a favorite of Cherry's, was more hockey player than goalie, and I think that is why Cherry favored Cheevers. Also, Cherry didn't like that he thought that Gilbert was playing for a new contract more than for the team. That might have mattered for a skater, who could go for points and goals, not passing the puck or not backchecking, but I don't see how that could matter for a goalie. JMO.
My friend, I would never forget that Harry and Cheevers were together in OKC. I was there!Remember Cheevers and Harry were together in Oklahoma City. Cherry admitted it was easier for him to have a few beers with Cheevers as well.
View attachment 734252
Gilbert, the born-again, found-again netminder was a story by himself. Sprawling, kicking, rolling on the ice, assaulted by 52 Canadiens shots — “The most shots I’ve seen since I was a peewee,” he said — what else could he have done? What else? There were some saves that he made that were total inspiration, total reflex, totally out of his or anyone else’s mind. What else could he do?
"For sure, we thought we had the game," he said. "We had it. The thing is that you never know. You never can say that. The game goes on and on, seems like forever, and these are the Canadiens. You never know."
"We were there," Gilbert said, "but we're only human. We can't stop everything."
My family had moved from Massachusetts to Cape Breton in 78 . I was surrounded by Canadians fans everywhere ( in school in the neighborhood) . I can remember my Dad turning the tv off and I was alone on the sofa and I cried like a baby .55 shots against, many of high quality. I was going on 11 years old, and I remember our goals, and a couple of theirs, like yesterday.
I made it to my bedroom, and did the same.My family had moved from Massachusetts to Cape Breton in 78 . I was surrounded by Canadians fans everywhere ( in school in the neighborhood) . I can remember my Dad turning the tv off and I was alone on the sofa and I cried like a baby .
Hey...Welcome to the board!One of my all time favorite Bruins. RIP GG #1. Recently purchased a copy of his mask and proudly display it in my office. View attachment 734318