Sport: Unattainable Goal

Locked in a 1-1 tie, the New York Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings battled into the third period of one of the tightest ice hockey games of the season. Then a couple of Rangers were waved into the penalty box. Determined to score a tie-breaking goal, Detroit sent five forwards lunging down ice toward the undermanned Ranger defenses. But before a shot could be fired, the startled Red Wings scraped to a halt. All of a sudden there was nothing to shoot at. The squat goal was still there, but it was turned completely around, its open end facing the backboards. Alongside stood the Rangers’ Rookie Goalie Marcel Faille. He was the picture of puzzled innocence, waiting for someone to do something—anything.

Referee Dalton McArthur made the only move possible. He whistled play to a halt until repairs could be made. By the time the Red Wings got going again, Ranger penalty time was running out. Soon the New Yorkers were at full strength, and they saved their tie.

No one had seen the goal get turned, but fans in Detroit’s Olympia Stadium agreed on an explanation: while they were watching the Red Wings organize their attack, Faille had put his shoulder to the net and shoved. “It’s a bush-league trick!” stormed Red Wing General Manager Jack Adams. It may well have been. But it saved the game, and National Hockey League President Clarence Campbell had to admit that there is no rule against it. There soon will be, he promised, while French Canadian Goalie Faille still played the bewildered innocent: “Fasten? Unfasten? How you say it? Mais oui, c’est tres fascinating, n’est-ce pas?”