1930–31 Chicago Black Hawks season



The 1930–31 Chicago Black Hawks season was the team's 5th season in the NHL. Prior to the season, Chicago named former team captain and player-coach Dick Irvin as the head coach. The team responded with 24 wins and 51 points, finished in 2nd place in the American Division, made the playoffs and lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the 1931 Stanley Cup Finals 3 games to 2.

Regular Season
Chicago was led offensively once again by Johnny Gottselig, who scored a club high 20 goals and 32 points, and by Tom Cook, who was the team leader in assists with 14, and finished 2nd in team scoring with 29 points. Frank Ingram would have a big season, scoring a career high 17 goals.

In goal, Charlie Gardiner would play in every game, and he would break the Hawks record for wins (24), shutouts (12) and GAA (1.73). The Hawks finished with the 2nd fewest goals against in the league.

Playoffs
The Hawks would open the playoffs in a 2 game total goal series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and for the 1st time in team history, the Black Hawks won the series by a score of 4–3 with Stewart Adams scoring the series winning goal in overtime. Next up was a 2 game total goal series against the New York Rangers, and Charlie Gardiner would shine by shutting New York out in both games, as the Hawks won the series by a 3–0 score and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Montreal Canadiens. The Hawks would lose the first game of the best-of-5 series, but then would win 2 in a row in overtime to take a 2–1 series lead. Montreal would respond with a 4–2 victory in game 4, and then the Canadiens would put away the Black Hawks with a 2–0 win in the 5th and deciding game, ending the Black Hawks dream of winning the championship one win short.

Awards and Records

 * Charlie Gardiner: Goalie, NHL First Team All-Star