1928 Stanley Cup Finals



The 1928 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the New York Rangers and the Montreal Maroons. It was the first appearance by the Rangers in the Finals and they won the Stanley Cup in only their second season.

Paths to the Final
The Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the quarter-finals total-goals series 6–4. They then defeated the Boston Bruins in the semi-finals total-goals series 5–2 to reach the Final.

The Montreal Maroons defeated the Ottawa Senators in the quarter-finals total-goals series 3–1. And they then defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the semi-finals total-goals series 3–2 to reach the Final.

The Series
The circus knocked the Rangers out of Madison Square Garden, and all games were played in the Montreal Forum, even though Boston offered to host the Rangers. The Maroons won Game 1 by 2–0, with Nels Stewart and goaltender Clint Benedict the stars.

Drama took over in Game 2 when Nels Stewart fired a hard shot that struck New York goaltender Lorne Chabot in the eye. He could not continue, and the Rangers needed a goaltender. However, Maroons coach Eddie Gerard refused to let the Rangers use Alex Connell or minor league goaltender Hugh McCormick. Lester Patrick, the Rangers coach, in anger, decided to don the pads himself. The Rangers then checked any Maroon who got near Patrick. Bill Cook scored, putting the Rangers ahead 1–0, but Nels Stewart was not to be denied and scored, tying the game. In overtime, Frank Boucher got the winner for the Rangers and they carried Patrick, tears streaming down his eyes, off the ice. Patrick stopped 17 of 18 shots he faced.

Joe Miller, New York Americans goalie, was allowed to take Chabot's place in goal and he played well in a 2–0 loss in Game 3. However, Frank Boucher starred as the Rangers took the next two games and the Stanley Cup. Drama almost took place in the final game when Miller was badly cut on a shot, but he was able to continue. The crowd became unruly at times and referee Mike Rodden took abuse for disallowed goals by Maroon players.

New York Rangers 1928 Stanley Cup Champions
Roster


 * goaltenders
 * 1 Lorne Chabot
 * 1 Joe Miller (Sub)
 * 16 Lester Patrick (Playing-Manager-Coach)††
 * defence
 * 3 Ivan Ching Johnson
 * 4 Clarence Taffy Abel
 * 12 Leo Bourgeault
 * 14 Frank Patsy Callighen
 * centers
 * 5 Bill Cook (Captain)
 * 7 Frank Boucher
 * 11 Laurie Scott†
 * wingers
 * 2 Alex Gray
 * 6 Fred Bun Cook
 * 8 Billy Boyd
 * 9 Murray Murdoch
 * 10 Paul Thompson
 * Non-players
 * John Hommond (President/Owner)
 * Harry Westerby (Trainer)
 * William Carey, Richard Hojt, George Rickard (Directors)

engraving-notes
 * † Laurie Scott played 23 of 44 regular season game. He was sent to the minors before the playoffs, so his name was left off the Stanley Cup. Scott was included on mid-season team picture, but not on Stanley Cup winning picture.