The Night The Boomer went Ballistic!
By George Grimm
It may have been five days before Christmas, but “Peace on earth and good will toward men” was the last thing on minds of the Rangers and Canadiens when they met at the Garden on Sunday night Dec. 20, 1953.
The Montreal Canadiens were the defending Stanley Cup Champions. They came into Madison Square Garden leading the NHL with a 20-11-2 record and had won four of the five meetings between the two clubs so far that season.
The Habs were led by Maurice “Rocket” Richard, who at 32 was still in his prime, as well as veterans Elmer Lach and Bert Olmstead.