Maurice Rocket Richard was more than a great hockey player. In 1950s Quebec, Richard was a cultural icon. So, when NHL President Clarence Campbell suspended him for the remainder of the 1955 season and the entire playoffs, it touched off the infamous St. Patrick’s Day Riot.
It All Started in Boston
The scene was the old Boston Garden on March 13, 1955. The Canadiens and Bruins were embroiled in a vintage Original 6 tussle. With the visitors trailing in the 3rd period, tempers flared.
Boston’s Hal Laycoe, reacting to a perceived injustice, wildly swung his stick. It found the Rocket’s head, opening a gash that later needed 8 stitches to close.
Richard, one of the greatest players to ever lace up the blades, had a temper as wild as his skills. As blood streamed down his face, Richard took off after Laycoe, chasing him around the ice.
Laycoe retreated to the safety of a group of teammates, but that didn’t slow down Richard. He barged right in trying to get at Laycoe. Linesman Cliff Thompson followed Richard into the fray attempting to restore order. In the chaos, Richard decked Thompson with an overhand right.
Eventually, cooler heads prevailed – but not for long. Richard had crossed the line by hitting an official. He was ejected from the game and summoned to a league disciplinary hearing.
At the March 16 hearing, Montreal manager Dick Irvin blamed Laycoe for starting things and game officials for mishandling the aftermath. Finally, Irvin argued that Richard was blinded by blood and didn’t know who he was punching.
Campbell Suspends Richard
But NHL President Campbell was unmoved by the Rocket’s pleadings. He immediately suspended Richard for the remainder of the regular season and the entire playoffs. That might have been that had it been any player but Richard.
In 1950s Montreal, and indeed the entire Province of Quebec, Richard was more than a player and the Canadiens were more than a team. They represented the hopes and dreams of the Francophone population. Naturally, Richard’s suspension wasn’t well received.
On March 17, the day after the hearing, reaction in the local media was bitter. By noon, placard-carrying, slogan-chanting crowds gathered outside the Forum. It was even reported that Campbell had received death threats.
That night, the Detroit Red Wings were in town for a first place showdown with the Habs. The angry mob was still milling around outside the Forum. Inside, the crowd was just as hostile. Their mood wasn’t made any better when the home side fell behind 2-0 early in the first period.
Forum Fans Let Campbell Have It
At that point, Campbell appeared and took his seat as jeers rained down upon him. Late in the period, with the Wings leading 4-1, a fan approached Campbell and punched him in the jaw. Other fans joined the fracas, pummeling the hapless Campbell. Still others hurled tomatoes rotten eggs and, in a particularly Quebecois gesture, pickled pigs’ feet.
Rushing to restore order, police used tear gas, forcing the evacuation of the Forum. The Canadiens forfeited the game and ceded first place to Detroit.
Angry patrons spilled out onto Rue St. Catherine where they joined the other demonstrators. Reports say a rifle shot shattered a window in the Forum, inciting the mob to a newsstand-burning, store-looting, stone-throwing rampage that caused over $1 million damage.
The worst fears of Habs fans were ultimately realized. Richard ended up losing the scoring title to teammate Bernie Boom Boom Geoffrion. Meanwhile, the Habs went on to lose a tight 7-game final series to Detroit.
Some observers say police should have dispersed the mob earlier. Others blame agitators in the crowd looking for trouble. No matter who was at fault, the incident illustrates just how passionate fans were for their beloved Canadiens - Almost fanatical.
Chris Cook - Whenever someone asks me how I got into the world of sports writing I tell them the truth – It was an accident. Writing had ...
