1929–30 Boston Bruins season

1929–30 Boston Bruins
Division	1st American
1929–30 record	38–5–1
Home record	21–1–0
Road record	17–4–1
Goals for	179 (1st)
Goals against	98 (1st)
Team information
General manager	Art Ross
Coach	Art Ross
Captain	Lionel Hitchman
Arena	Boston Garden
Team leaders
Goals	Cooney Weiland (43)
Assists	Dutch Gainor (31)
Points	Cooney Weiland (73)
Penalty minutes	Eddie Shore (105)
Wins	Tiny Thompson (38)
Goals against average	Tiny Thompson (2.23)

The 1929–30 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' sixth season in the NHL. The Bruins finished first in the NHL and won their third Prince of Wales Trophy. In defending its American Division title for the second straight season, the Bruins took advantage of new rules and its powerhouse lineup to record the best single season winning percentage in NHL history, .875, a record which still stands. However, the club failed to defend its Stanley Cup title, losing in the 1930 Stanley Cup Finals to the Montreal Canadiens 2 games to 0.

Regular Season

Championship cardigan.

To celebrate their Stanley Cup, woolen cardigans were made for the Bruins staff with "World's Champions" emblazoned on the front. Trainer Win Green, Art Ross and his children wore these with pride for many years in the 1930's.

To combat low scoring as the previous season had the fewest goals per game recorded before or thereafter a major rule change was implemented. Players were now allowed forward passing in the offensive zone, instead of only in the defensive and neutral zones. This led to abuse, players sat in front of the opposing net waiting for a pass, and goals scored nearly tripled league-wide. The rule was changed again mid-season in December 1929, and players were no longer allowed to enter the offensive zone before the puck, thus giving birth to the modern offside rule.

In the meantime, however, Boston took advantage of the new rule from its opening match, defeating Detroit 5-2 before a sellout crowd behind two goals from Cooney Weiland. The team was noted in the press for its skill in dealing with the new infractions called for hanging back, recording many fewer penalties than the other teams in early season play.

After a rough match on November 23 against the Montreal Maroons, superstar defenseman Eddie Shore went to the hospital with multiple injuries, missing the return match against the Maroons on the 26th. Bruins' president Charles Adams presented Shore with a check for $500, purportedly $100 for each facial scar he received at the hands of the Maroons.

1929-30 Bruins program.

The Bruins went on a tear starting with a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh on November 30, winning fourteen straight games through to a January 9 4-3 win against Pittsburgh. This set a new league mark for consecutive wins that would last for 52 years until the New York Islanders broke it in 1982, and is still the third longest such streak in league history. The streak was broken by the New York Americans on January 12, the league's last place team at the time. The "Dynamite Line" of Cooney Weiland, Dit Clapper and Dutch Gainor was responsible for most of the team's goals to that point, and by the halfway mark of the season, the Bruins had a 20-3 record, nearly twice as many wins as any other team in the league.

In another unusual incident involving Shore, well known for his fighting ability, the Bruins' defenseman was challenged to a boxing match by baseball player Art Shires. While NHL President Frank Calder said that Shore's participation was up to Bruins' manager Art Ross to decide, baseball commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis vetoed Shires' participation, and the match was never held.

The Bruins had yet another streak (broken by a Chicago Black Hawks overtime win on March 13) of seventeen games without a defeat, tying the then league record. By season's end, Weiland led the league in scoring (one goal shy of Joe Malone's 1918 record of 44), Dit Clapper had finished third, and Dutch Gainor ninth. The Dynamite Line scored 102 of the Bruins' league record 179 goals, as many as last-place Pittsburgh managed.

Lionel Hitchman's jaw protector, March 18, 1930.

Among the many marks set by the Bruins in the 1930 season that remain NHL records was the longest home winning streak in a single season of twenty games; the fewest ties in an NHL season with 1; and the fewest losses in a season with 5.

During the second period of the March 1, 1930 game versus the Ottawa Senators, the Bruins Lionel Hitchman was hit in the jaw by an Eddie Shore shot, breaking it. Hitchman would return to action in the season finale four games later wearing a jaw protector and play the entire playoffs with the head gear. He'd finish as the runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Final Standings

American Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	PTS
Boston Bruins	44	38	5	1	179	98	77
Chicago Black Hawks	44	21	18	5	117	111	47
New York Rangers	44	17	17	10	136	143	44
Detroit Cougars	44	14	24	6	117	133	34
Pittsburgh Pirates	44	5	36	3	102	185	13

Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against

Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Game Log

Regular Season Schedule

No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
1	W	November 14, 1929	5–2	@ Detroit Cougars (1929–30)	1–0–0
2	W	November 16, 1929	6–5	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1929–30)	2–0–0
3	W	November 19, 1929	3–2	New York Rangers (1929–30)	3–0–0
4	W	November 23, 1929	4–3	@ Montreal Maroons (1929–30)	4–0–0
5	L	November 26, 1929	1–6	Montreal Maroons (1929–30)	4–1–0
6	W	November 30, 1929	6–2	@ Pittsburgh Pirates (1929–30)	5–1–0
7	L	December 1, 1929	1–3	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1929–30)	5–2–0
8	W	December 3, 1929	3–1	Montreal Canadiens (1929–30)	6–2–0
9	W	December 7, 1929	2–1	Detroit Cougars (1929–30)	7–2–0
10	W	December 10, 1929	5–4	Pittsburgh Pirates (1929–30)	8–2–0
11	W	December 12, 1929	3–2	@ Ottawa Senators (1929–30)	9–2–0
12	W	December 15, 1929	8–4	@ New York Americans (1929–30)	10–2–0
13	W	December 17, 1929	6–2	Ottawa Senators (1929–30)	11–2–0
14	W	December 21, 1929	4–1	Chicago Black Hawks (1929–30)	12–2–0
15	W	December 25, 1929	6–2	Toronto Maple Leafs (1929–30)	13–2–0
16	W	December 26, 1929	4–2	@ New York Rangers (1929–30)	14–2–0
17	W	December 28, 1929	3–2	@ Montreal Canadiens (1929–30)	15–2–0
18	W	January 1, 1930	5–2	New York Americans (1929–30)	16–2–0
19	W	January 4, 1930	4–2	@ Montreal Maroons (1929–30)	17–2–0
20	W	January 7, 1930	3–0	New York Rangers (1929–30)	18–2–0
21	W	January 9, 1930	4–3	@ Pittsburgh Pirates (1929–30)	19–2–0
22	L	January 12, 1930	2–3	@ New York Americans (1929–30)	19–3–0
23	W	January 14, 1930	5–1	Ottawa Senators (1929–30)	20–3–0
24	L	January 16, 1930	1–2	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1929–30)	20–4–0
25	W	January 19, 1930	5–4	@ Detroit Cougars (1929–30)	21–4–0
26	W	January 21, 1930	5–1	Chicago Black Hawks (1929–30)	22–4–0
27	W	January 23, 1930	2–1 OT	New York Americans (1929–30)	23–4–0
28	W	January 25, 1930	2–1	@ Montreal Canadiens (1929–30)	24–4–0
29	W	January 28, 1930	6–0	Pittsburgh Pirates (1929–30)	25–4–0
30	T	February 2, 1930	3–3 OT	@ New York Rangers (1929–30)	25–4–1
31	W	February 4, 1930	3–1	Detroit Cougars (1929–30)	26–4–1
32	W	February 11, 1930	6–5 OT	Toronto Maple Leafs (1929–30)	27–4–1
33	W	February 12, 1930	4–3	@ Pittsburgh Pirates (1929–30)	28–4–1
34	W	February 15, 1930	5–3	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1929–30)	29–4–1
35	W	February 16, 1930	4–2	@ Detroit Cougars (1929–30)	30–4–1
36	W	February 18, 1930	3–2	Montreal Maroons (1929–30)	31–4–1
37	W	February 23, 1930	3–2	@ New York Rangers (1929–30)	32–4–1
38	W	February 25, 1930	7–0	Pittsburgh Pirates (1929–30)	33–4–1
39	W	March 1, 1930	2–1	@ Ottawa Senators (1929–30)	34–4–1
40	W	March 4, 1930	5–2	Montreal Canadiens (1929–30)	35–4–1
41	W	March 11, 1930	4–3	Chicago Black Hawks (1929–30)	36–4–1
42	L	March 13, 1930	2–3 OT	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1929–30)	36–5–1
43	W	March 15, 1930	5–2	Detroit Cougars (1929–30)	37–5–1
44	W	March 18, 1930	9–2	New York Rangers (1929–30)	38–5–1

Playoffs

As the American Division champions, Boston enjoyed a first round bye in the playoffs, and faced the Montreal Maroons, the Canadian Division champions, in the Semi-finals in a best-of-five series.

Boston Bruins 3, Montreal Maroons 1

The first game of the series was a grueling overtime match in which Bruins' coach Art Ross was noted for ceaseless criticism of the officiating and the ice condition, to the annoyance of the home crowd in Montreal, won on a Harry Oliver overtime goal at the 45 minute mark. The Bruins won the second match handily on two goals from Dit Clapper, partially due to an injury forcing Montreal star Babe Siebert out only a few minutes into the game, but with Siebert's return in the third game the match was much closer. Unusually, Montreal starter Buck Boucher broke a leg 24 minutes into overtime, and his replacement, little-used defenseman Archie Wilcox, scored the game winner at the 26 minute mark. Siebert did not dress for the final game, and the Bruins overwhelmed the Maroons to reach the Cup Finals, behind two goals from Marty Barry, earning the Bruins a rest while they waited for their next opponents.

#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Record
1	March 20	Boston Bruins	2–1 (3OT)	Montreal Maroons	1–0
2	March 22	Boston Bruins	4–2	Montreal Maroons	2–0
3	March 25	Montreal Maroons	1–0 (2OT)	Boston Bruins	1-2
4	March 27	Montreal Maroons	1-5	Boston Bruins	1-3

Montreal Canadiens 2, Boston Bruins 0

The Bruins were heavily favored to retain the Stanley Cup, but were shocked in the first game of the best-of-three Finals by the play of Canadiens' goaltender George Hainsworth, who shut out the Bruins' powerful offense. In the second game, Montreal went out to a three-goal lead until Eddie Shore scored. Howie Morenz responded five minutes later and the Habs led 4-1 going into the third period. Goals by Percy Galbraith and Dit Clapper made it close but Montreal held on for the win. It was the first time all season long the Bruins had lost two games in a row, and the stunning defeat of the regular season champions in such a short series spurred the league to change the Cup Finals to a best-of-five series for subsequent years. Clapper led all playoff scorers with 4 goals while Marty Barry and Cooney Weiland tied for the points lead with 6 each.

#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Record
1	April 1	Montreal Canadiens	3–0	Boston Bruins	0–1
2	April 3	Boston Bruins	3–4	Montreal Canadiens	0–2

Player Stats

Regular Season

Scoring

#	Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
7	Weiland, CooneyCooney Weiland	C	44	43	30	73	27
5	Clapper, DitDit Clapper	RW/D	44	41	20	61	48
8	Gainor, DutchDutch Gainor	C	42	18	31	49	39
14	Barry, MartyMarty Barry	C	44	18	15	33	34
2	Shore, EddieEddie Shore	D	42	12	19	31	105
9	Oliver, HarryHarry Oliver	RW	40	16	5	21	12
6	Galbraith, PercyPercy Galbraith	LW/D	44	7	9	16	38
4	Owen, GeorgeGeorge Owen	D	42	9	4	13	31
10	Carson, BillBill Carson	C	44	7	4	11	24
12	MacKay, MickeyMickey MacKay	C	37	4	5	9	13
3	Hitchman, LionelLionel Hitchman	D	39	2	7	9	58
15	Hutton, BillBill Hutton	D/RW	16	2	0	2	2
11	Gagne, ArtArt Gagne	RW	6	0	1	1	6
15	Lane, MylesMyles Lane	D	3	0	0	0	0
15	Taylor, BobBob Taylor	RW	8	0	0	0	6
11	Connor, HarryHarry Connor	LW	13	0	0	0	4
1	Thompson, TinyTiny Thompson	G	44	0	0	0	0

Goaltending

Player	MIN	GP	W	L	T	GA	GAA	SO
Thompson, TinyTiny Thompson	2680	44	38	5	1	98	2.19	3
Team:	2680	44	38	5	1	98	2.19	3

Playoffs

Scoring

#	Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
14	Barry, MartyMarty Barry	C	6	3	3	6	14
7	Weiland, CooneyCooney Weiland	C	6	1	5	6	2
5	Clapper, DitDit Clapper	RW/D	6	4	0	4	4
6	Galbraith, PercyPercy Galbraith	LW/D	6	1	3	4	8
9	Oliver, HarryHarry Oliver	RW	6	2	1	3	6
4	Owen, GeorgeGeorge Owen	D	6	0	2	2	6
10	Carson, BillBill Carson	C	6	1	0	1	6
3	Hitchman, LionelLionel Hitchman	D	6	1	0	1	14
2	Shore, EddieEddie Shore	D	6	1	0	1	26
8	Gainor, DutchDutch Gainor	C	3	0	0	0	0
11	Connor, HarryHarry Connor	LW	6	0	0	0	0
15	Lane, MylesMyles Lane	D	6	0	0	0	0
12	MacKay, MickeyMickey MacKay	C	6	0	0	0	4
1	Thompson, TinyTiny Thompson	G	6	0	0	0	0

Goaltending

Player	MIN	GP	W	L	GA	GAA	SO
Thompson, TinyTiny Thompson	432	6	3	3	12	1.67	0
Team:	432	6	3	3	12	1.67	0

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals

MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts

Awards and Records

• Highest single season winning percentage: .875 (still stands)
• Most wins: 38 (still a record for 50 game and less season)
• Fewest losses: 5 (still stands)
• Fewest ties: 1 (still stands)
• Longest consecutive game winning streak: 14 (currently third all time)
• Longest consecutive home game winning streak: 20 (still stands)
• Most goals: 179 (still a record for 50 game and less season)
• Most points by a player: 73, Cooney Weiland (broken in 1943–44 by the Bruins Herb Cain with 82 points)
• Most goals by a forward line: Dynamite Line, 102 (Weiland, Clapper, Gainor)
• Longest winning streak by a goaltender: 14 games, Tiny Thompson (still stands though twice tied)
• Prince of Wales Trophy: Boston Bruins (3rd win)
• Vezina Trophy (fewest goals allowed): Tiny Thompson (1st win)
• NHL Scoring Leader: Cooney Weiland
• NHL Goal Scoring Leader: Cooney Weiland

Note: Up through the 1930 season, the NHL did not select end-of-season All-Star Teams.

Transactions

• Purchase Herb Gardiner, George Patterson and Art Gagne from the Montreal Canadiens on May 13, 1929.
• Trade Bill Hutton and Art Gagne to Ottawa Senators for Harry Connor on January 30, 1930.
• Trade Bill Regan to the New York Rangers for Yip Foster and $15,000 on February 17, 1930.

Trivia

• Cooney Weiland scored 4 goals in the 7-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 25, 1930.
• Firsts in Bruins history accomplished during this season include:
  • First 40 goal season by Cooney Weiland in a 3-2 OT loss to the Chicago Black Hawks on March 13, 1930. Dit Clapper followed suit by scoring the Bruins last 2 goals of the season for his 40th and 41st goals in a 9-2 rout of the New York Rangers on March 18, 1930.
  • First 14 game winning streak from December 3, 1929 to January 9, 1930.
  • First 17 game point streak from January 14 to March 11, 1930.
• Bruins who recorded a Hat trick this season include:
  • Dutch Gainor during the 6-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 16, 1929.
  • Cooney Weiland had a 4 goal game during the 7-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 25, 1930.
  • Weiland during the 4-3 win over Chicago on March 11, 1930.
  • Weiland during the 9-2 win over the New York Rangers on March 18, 1930.

Post-Season Exhibition

The Bruins played a three game series in Vancouver against the Pacific Coast Hockey League champion Vancouver Lions.

• April 11 Vancouver 3 Boston 1
• April 14 Boston 3 Vancouver 1
• April 17 Boston 4 Vancouver 3

They then moved on to California, where they played the Oakland Sheiks, San Francisco Tigers, the Los Angeles Richfields of the California League and the Chicago Black Hawks.

• April 21 Boston 6 @ San Francisco 5
• April 22 Boston 3 @ Oakland 2
• April 23 Boston 4 Chicago 2 @ San Francisco
• April 25 Boston 5 @ Oakland 4
• April 28 Boston 8 @ Los Angeles 3
• May 1 Boston 4 Chicago 3 @ Los Angeles
• May 3 Boston vs. Chicago @ Los Angeles?

Gallery

Bruins and Rangers in 1929-30 season action.

Bruins and Maroons line up for the anthems in 1930.

Oakland

Vancouver

See Also

• 1929–30 NHL season
• List of Stanley Cup champions

References

• Coleman, Charles L. (1969), Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol II., Sherbrooke: National Hockey League

• Klein, Jeff Z. & Reif, Karl-Eric (1997), The Klein & Reif Hockey Compendium, Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, ISBN 978-0-7710-4529-5

• Vautour, Kevin (1997), The Bruins Book, Toronto: ECW Press, ISBN 978-1-55022-334-7

• National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2005, Dan Diamond & Associates, Inc., 2004, ISBN 1-57243-603-4

• Diamond, Dan (1998), Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Hockey League, Andrews McMeel Publishing, ISBN 0836271149