Program from an exhibition game between the Totems and the New York Rangers. During the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair with all the different events and exhibits taking place, the Totems held an exhibition of their own. Two in fact. In late September, just as training camp was starting, the Totems held two exhibition games in order to “exhibit” the game of hockey to fair-goers. As an added attraction, the opposition wasnt of the Western League variety, but of the National. The Totems were to host the New York Rangers in the first game, and the Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs in the second. Both games being played on consecutive nights. The first game was held September 28th at the “Worlds Fair Arena”, which is what the fair was calling Mercer Arena at the time. The Rangers line up boasted the legendary defenseman Doug Harvey as well as ex-Western Leaguers Andy Bathgate and Gump Worsley (Vancouver), Andy Hebenton (Victoria) and Bronco Horvath (Edmonton). Behind the bench for the Broadway Blueshirts, coach Muzz Patrick (Seattle Bombers, Tacoma) and his assistant coach Emile “The Cat” Francis (Totems, 59-60). The Totems, having only started training camp the week before in Chilliwack, B.C. were going up against a Rangers club that already had six games under its exhibition belt. Less than two minutes into the game, Horvath tallied to put the Rangers on the board. But with two goals by defenseman Gordie Sinclair and right winger John Lumley, the Totems gave the crowd of 2,391 hope that perhaps an upset was in the making. The Rangers then responded with four in a row to take a 5-2 lead. Early in the third period, Seattle try-out Jean Therrien (who went on to play that season for St. Paul of the IHL), tallied to close the score at 5-3. But a little penalty trouble and off-season rustiness got the Totems in trouble, and the Rangers scored two more to skate away with a 7-3 New York victory.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 02:48:54 +0000
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