This Day in History: The Leafs Win the Stanley Cup (1967)

On May 2, 1967, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in six years. And as we all know, the Leafs haven't won since, struggling to bring home the Stanley Cup for over half a century. Before the Leafs take on the Florida Panthers in Round 2 (!!!), let's take a trip down memory lane and relive the excitement of the Leafs' last championship.

The year was 1967, and the Toronto Maple Leafs were facing the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals. It was the first time in 14 years that the Leafs made it to the finals, and the entire city was buzzing with excitement. The Leafs were considered the underdogs, as they were facing a highly skilled Canadiens team that had won the Stanley Cup the previous two seasons. 

In Game 6 of the series, which was played in Maple Leaf Gardens, the Leafs emerged victorious with a score of 3-1. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, and fans were chanting "We want the Cup!" as the final seconds ticked away. Dave Keon, the Leafs' leading scorer in the playoffs, was named the MVP of the series for his outstanding performance. He had a total of 8 goals and 6 assists in 12 games.

The team was led by captain George Armstrong, who had been with the Leafs since 1950. In his career, he had won four Stanley Cups with the team, but this victory was particularly special. When he lifted the Cup in front of the Toronto fans, there was not a dry eye in the house. The last time the Leafs had won the Cup was in 1964 when he was part of the team. He retired from hockey in 1971 but remained with the Leafs organization as a scout until 1999.

As hockey fans, we all dream of seeing our favourite teams lift the Stanley Cup. For Toronto Maple Leafs' fans, it has been a long wait since 1967. However, the memories of that last victory continue to inspire and motivate. As the Leafs gear up for another playoff round, we can only hope that they will bring the Cup back to Toronto and add another chapter to the team's rich history. Until then, we can continue to relive the Glory Days of the Leafs' 1967 victory and celebrate the players who made it all possible. Go Leafs Go!