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The 1982 Vancouver Canucks defied the odds and made it all the way to the Stanley Cup final. Source: https://hockeygods.com/ (May be subject to copyright) |
For a long time the Vancouver Canucks were defined but that very first decision made when they came into the NHL at the same time as the Buffalo Sabres. The NHL determined, by spinning a wheel, that Buffalo would get the first pick in the 1970 entry draft, and Vancouver would pick second.
The Sabres chose Gilbert Perreault, who would go on to be one of the best players of his generation, and lead the Sabres to the 1975 Stanley Cup Final.
The Canucks took Dale Tallon and would go on to dwell in obscurity for more than a decade, as the third Canadian team, rarely thought of, and rarely seen on Hockey Night in Canada, even here in the West.
All of that was put to rest when a seemingly ordinary team went on a magical run all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
I am spending my first nights ever in Vancouver, and it seems fitting I think back to the 1982 Vancouver Canucks and the run they had.
The third option
When I started watching hockey, there were two teams to see on "Hockey Night In Canada" on Saturday nights – the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For whatever reason, probably because they were so successful and popular, Montreal was always on TV. The occasional Maple Leaf game would air, but maybe every second or third week.
When I started watching hockey, there were two teams to see on "Hockey Night In Canada" on Saturday nights – the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For whatever reason, probably because they were so successful and popular, Montreal was always on TV. The occasional Maple Leaf game would air, but maybe every second or third week.
Then I discovered there was a third option. Canada had a third hockey team – the Vancouver Canucks. Yet, they were rarely on national TV.
Over time, the Canucks were on more and more, and I got to know them a little better. They had players such as Dennis Ververgard, Don Lever, and Bobby Lalonde.
Then, a left-handed goalie with flaming red hair caught my eye. His name was Glen Hanlon, and he quickly became one of my favourite players.
The Canucks would make the playoffs, losing to the Philadelphia Flyers, but Hanlon played well. In fact, they would make the playoffs five times from their inception in 1970 to the start of the 1981-1982 season but failed to win a series.
They got marginally better as time went on, but expectations were never very high.
They weren’t very high as the 1981-1982 season started either.
They weren’t very high as the 1981-1982 season started either.
Playoff changes
The Canucks were in the Smythe Division of the Campbell Conference, long before the names of everything were sanitized. The Edmonton Oilers were the class of the Smythe Division, with the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Colrado Rockies and Canucks bringing up the rear.
The Canucks were in the Smythe Division of the Campbell Conference, long before the names of everything were sanitized. The Edmonton Oilers were the class of the Smythe Division, with the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Colrado Rockies and Canucks bringing up the rear.
That year the NHL changed its playoff format, which benefitted divisions such as the Smythe, which were not very good. The top four teams in each division would qualify for the playoffs. First would play fourth and second would play third. The winners would then play in the division finals, the division winners would play in the conference finals, and the conference champions would play for the Stanley Cup.
Regular season
The Canucks started off slowly, as the Oilers ran away with the division. However, the Canucks caught fire and ended the season with a nine-game unbeaten streak to finish with a record of 30-33-17 and 77 points, good enough for second place behind the Oilers who finished with 111 points, 34 points ahead of Vancouver with a record of 48-17-15.
The Canucks started off slowly, as the Oilers ran away with the division. However, the Canucks caught fire and ended the season with a nine-game unbeaten streak to finish with a record of 30-33-17 and 77 points, good enough for second place behind the Oilers who finished with 111 points, 34 points ahead of Vancouver with a record of 48-17-15.
Things seemed to change part way through the season when the Canucks traded my beloved Glen Hanlon to the St. Louis Blues for goaltender Rick Heinz, as well as Tony Currie, and Jim Nill on March 9, 1982. A fourth-round draft pick was also sent to Vancouver. That would give the Canucks some role players who helped them in the playoffs, and made Richard Brodeur, who was already their starting goaltender, their undisputed number one goalie.
There were a lot of other players I remember fondly.
Czech mates
Much had been made of the fact a couple players from Czechoslovakia were coming to the NHL. Czechoslovakia was still a Communist country that kept a tight grip on its players, but somehow Ivan Hlinka and Jiri Bubla were coming to North America.
Much had been made of the fact a couple players from Czechoslovakia were coming to the NHL. Czechoslovakia was still a Communist country that kept a tight grip on its players, but somehow Ivan Hlinka and Jiri Bubla were coming to North America.
Vancouver made a trade for their rights, and they would have a big impact on the Canucks. Hlinka more so in the playoffs, because Bubla got hurt.
I had liked Hlinka when I saw him play with Czechoslovakia, so I hoped he’d help the Canucks.
Tiger by the tail
There was no more flamboyant a goal celebration then when Dave “Tiger” Williams “rode the witch’s broom” after scoring a goal. He was a tough guy who had come to prominence playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the 1970s. That team featured Darry Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Mike Palmateer and other great players. Like all the others, Williams somehow got in the doghouse of Maple Leaf owner Harold Ballard, and was shipped to Vancouver.
There was no more flamboyant a goal celebration then when Dave “Tiger” Williams “rode the witch’s broom” after scoring a goal. He was a tough guy who had come to prominence playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the 1970s. That team featured Darry Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Mike Palmateer and other great players. Like all the others, Williams somehow got in the doghouse of Maple Leaf owner Harold Ballard, and was shipped to Vancouver.
Tiger would give the Canucks a gritty, tough presence, but also leadership and a bit of blue collar style.
Young guns
The Canucks had two young players who gave them good minutes and kind of grew up as they went deep into the playoffs. Neil Belland I had never heard of before. On the other hand, Marc Crawford I had seen play with the Cornwall Royals as they won two Memorial Cups led by future NHL superstar Dale Hawerchuk. Incidentally, that is the same Marc Crawford who coached the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup championship, and even, coincidentally, later coached the Canucks.
The Canucks had two young players who gave them good minutes and kind of grew up as they went deep into the playoffs. Neil Belland I had never heard of before. On the other hand, Marc Crawford I had seen play with the Cornwall Royals as they won two Memorial Cups led by future NHL superstar Dale Hawerchuk. Incidentally, that is the same Marc Crawford who coached the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup championship, and even, coincidentally, later coached the Canucks.
The Steamer
Although he was not the team captain officially, the leader of that team was Stan Smyl. He was tough, relentless, hard working and courageous. You could tell he had everyone’s back, and would give his all on every shift. He was motivating and inspiring by nature.
Although he was not the team captain officially, the leader of that team was Stan Smyl. He was tough, relentless, hard working and courageous. You could tell he had everyone’s back, and would give his all on every shift. He was motivating and inspiring by nature.
Harold Snepsts
He was the easiest player to spot on the ice because he was one of the last to play without his helmet. Harold Snepsts was a solid, veteran defenceman who, unfortunately, would become known more for a piece of bad luck than all the great things he contributed to the Canucks.
He was the easiest player to spot on the ice because he was one of the last to play without his helmet. Harold Snepsts was a solid, veteran defenceman who, unfortunately, would become known more for a piece of bad luck than all the great things he contributed to the Canucks.
Top scoring Swede
One of my favourite players on that Canucks team was their leading scorer, Swede Thomas Gradin. He was smooth and provided the offence their team needed, recording 37 goals and 49 assists for 86 points.
One of my favourite players on that Canucks team was their leading scorer, Swede Thomas Gradin. He was smooth and provided the offence their team needed, recording 37 goals and 49 assists for 86 points.
Playoffs
Improbably, with a losing record, the Canucks finished second in their division and would host the Calgary Flames in the first round, best-of-five Smythe Division semi-final. The Canucks had a record of 20-8-12 at home, so home-ice advantage was very important to them.
Improbably, with a losing record, the Canucks finished second in their division and would host the Calgary Flames in the first round, best-of-five Smythe Division semi-final. The Canucks had a record of 20-8-12 at home, so home-ice advantage was very important to them.
Smythe Division semi-finals
The series opened at the Pacific Coliseum on April 7, with the Canucks winning by a score of 5-3. They returned to the ice the next day where Vancouver took a stranglehold 2-0 lead in the series with a 2-1 win in overtime.
The series opened at the Pacific Coliseum on April 7, with the Canucks winning by a score of 5-3. They returned to the ice the next day where Vancouver took a stranglehold 2-0 lead in the series with a 2-1 win in overtime.
The series went back to Calgary for Game 3 on April 10, but the Canucks completed the sweep with a 3-1 win.
They now awaited the winner of the Edmonton-L.A. Smythe Division semi-final. The Oilers had finished first in the division 111 points and first in the Campbell Conference, a total of 48 points ahead of the Kings. Yet, L.A. hung around and was giving the Oilers all they could handle. After splitting the first two games in Edmonton, the Kings did the impossible in Game 3. Trailing 5-0 going into the third period, they came all the way back and won the game 6-5 in overtime. After the Oilers tied the series, L.A. won it with a 7-4 win in the fifth and deciding game.
Not only would the Canucks be rested while their opponent played a gruelling five-game series, but they would have home-ice advantage and not have to play one of the best teams in the league.
Sometimes success is aided by luck.
Smythe Division final
The match no one expected – Vancouver versus L.A. – opened at the Pacific Coliseum on April 15 with the Canucks winning by a score of 3-2. The next night, the Kings returned the favour, winning in overtime by that same 3-2 score to tie the series 1-1.
The match no one expected – Vancouver versus L.A. – opened at the Pacific Coliseum on April 15 with the Canucks winning by a score of 3-2. The next night, the Kings returned the favour, winning in overtime by that same 3-2 score to tie the series 1-1.
That was as close as the Kings would get.
The series moved to the Los Angeles Forum for the next two games, which Vancouver won by a score of 4-3 in overtime in Game 3 and 5-4 in Game 4. That gave Vancouver another stranglehold on the series and a chance to close out the Kings on home ice.
They did not disappoint their fans, as the Canucks continued their miracle run with a 5-2 victory to win the series 4-1. It was already the deepest Vancouver had gone in the playoffs, and they were still going.
Meanwhile in the Norris Division final, the Chicago Black Hawks were putting together a Cinderella season of their own. After finishing fourth in the Norris, they upset the first-place Minnesota North Stars in the Norris Division semi-final, then closed out the St. Louis Blues in the Norris final, winning the series 4-2.
The Black Hawks would have the home-ice advantage, but that did not deter the Canucks.
Campbell Conference final
The series opened at Chicago Stadium on April 27, as the Canucks again won the opening game, a 2-1 decision in overtime. Chicago rebounded two nights later, tying the series with a 4-1 win.
The series opened at Chicago Stadium on April 27, as the Canucks again won the opening game, a 2-1 decision in overtime. Chicago rebounded two nights later, tying the series with a 4-1 win.
Just like Los Angeles before them, that was as close as the Black Hawks would get to the Canucks.
The teams faced off in Game 3 at the Pacific Coliseum on May 1, with Vancouver winning by a score of 4-3. Three nights later the Canucks took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 5-3 win in Game 4.
Vancouver won the series two nights later with a 6-2 win in Chicago.
Incredibly, the Canucks had not only made it to the Stanley Cup final, but they had done it in convincing fashion, winning 11 games and losing just two.
However, looming on the horizon was their toughest test yet – the New York Islanders, winners of the last two Stanley Cups and a team loaded with talent and experience at every position.
Towel power
There was something else about that series against Chicago. In Game 2, Coach Roger Neilson was so annoyed by the coaching, he held up a hockey stick with a white towel hanging off the end of it. He was surrendering to bad officiating, and this was his white flag. The Canuck players on the bench then waved their own white towels. Neilson got a penalty for his antics, but that’s not where it ended.
There was something else about that series against Chicago. In Game 2, Coach Roger Neilson was so annoyed by the coaching, he held up a hockey stick with a white towel hanging off the end of it. He was surrendering to bad officiating, and this was his white flag. The Canuck players on the bench then waved their own white towels. Neilson got a penalty for his antics, but that’s not where it ended.
When the series went back to Vancouver, the fans showed up waving thousands of white towels. It became a symbol for the team.
Stanley Cup final
The clock struck midnight for Cinderella in the Stanley Cup final, as the Islanders swept the Canucks in four games to capture their third straight Stanley Cup.
The clock struck midnight for Cinderella in the Stanley Cup final, as the Islanders swept the Canucks in four games to capture their third straight Stanley Cup.
Vancouver did not go quietly into that good night and gave New York all they could handle. They led 5-4 late in the third period of Game 1, when Snepsts ran into Brodeur while he was trying to freeze the puck. Islander sniper Mike Bossy pounced on the puck and tied the game. In overtime, Snepsts threw the puck up the middle only to have Bossy intercept it and score the overtime winner with two seconds to play in the first overtime period.
The Canucks also led 4-3 going into the third period of Game 2, before New York won it in the final 20 minutes. After that, Vancouver seemed to be a spent force, as the bigger, stronger, more experienced Islanders asserted themselves and won Game 3 by a score of 3-0 and Game 4 by a score of 3-1 to win the championship.
Parting thoughts
The playoffs can be a magical time. Every so often when a team jells at just the right time, benefits from some lucky breaks, and usually wins some close games, they can go on a run deep into the playoffs. This is more pronounced in the Stanley Cup playoffs, because the eventual champion has to win four series and, back in 1982, a total of 15 games.
The playoffs can be a magical time. Every so often when a team jells at just the right time, benefits from some lucky breaks, and usually wins some close games, they can go on a run deep into the playoffs. This is more pronounced in the Stanley Cup playoffs, because the eventual champion has to win four series and, back in 1982, a total of 15 games.
Just to show how fleeting success can be, Vancouver would not win another playoff series until 1992.
But that 1982 Vancouver Canucks team was magical. They were led by the goaltending of Richard Brodeur and inspired coaching from Roger Neilson. They were also a team that had different players step up every game to make a difference.
I recall every one of those Vancouver home games starting at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9, and how much I looked forward to watching those players, in those weird jerseys that were dominated by the double “V”.
Sure, they didn’t win the Stanley Cup in the end, but they took us all on a wild ride, including a 12-year-old farm kid from Coaldale.
*For my friend Kevin Tabata, who loved this team more than anyone else I know
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