1969–70 St. Louis Blues season

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1969–70 St. Louis Blues
West Division champions
Division1st West
1969–70 record37–27–12
Goals for224
Goals against179
Team information
General managerScotty Bowman
CoachScotty Bowman
CaptainAl Arbour
ArenaSt. Louis Arena
Team leaders
GoalsRed Berenson (33)
AssistsPhil Goyette (49)
PointsPhil Goyette (78)
Penalty minutesBarclay Plager (128)
WinsJacques Plante (18)
Goals against averageErnie Wakely (2.11)

The 1969–70 St. Louis Blues season involved them finishing in first place in the West Division and being the only team in the West Division with a winning record for the second consecutive season, as they finished 22 points ahead of the second-placed Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blues matched their previous season's total of 37 wins but finished with 86 points, two points shy of the previous season's points total. NHL legend Camille Henry played his final game with the St. Louis Blues, notching 3 points in 4 games.

From a goaltending standpoint, the franchise experienced many changes. Glenn Hall had retired at the end of the 1968–69 season but returned. Despite an appearance in the All-Star Game, Jacques Plante played his final season in St. Louis. He was sold by the Blues to the Toronto Maple Leafs for cash on May 18, 1970. Ernie Wakely was acquired from the defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens and became the Blues starting goaltender for the following season.

In the playoffs, St. Louis defeated the Minnesota North Stars 4–2 and the Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 to advance to their third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, where they were swept by the Boston Bruins. Phil Goyette became the first Lady Byng Trophy winner in franchise history as he led the team with 78 points. This would also mark the last time the Blues would make the finals until 2019, where they again face the Bruins, and captured their first Stanley Cup in seven games.

Offseason[edit]

NHL draft[edit]

Tommi Salmelainen was the first European drafted by an NHL franchise.[1]

Main article: 1969 NHL Amateur Draft
Round Pick Player Nationality
2 19 Mike Lowe  Canada
3 30 Bernie Gagnon  Canada
4 42 Vic Teal  Canada
5 54 Brian Glenwright  Canada
6 66 Tommi Salmelainen  Finland
6 70 Dale Yutsyk  Canada
7 73 Bob Collyard  United States
7 77 David Pulkkinen  Canada
8 80 Patrick Lange  Canada
9 82 John Converse  Canada

Regular season[edit]

Glenn Hall[edit]

As he did with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1966, Glenn Hall retired from St. Louis at the end of the 1968–69 season.[2] He was talked into returning, usually with a promise of more money, but he didn't profess to enjoy his livelihood.[2] Although Hall stayed in St. Louis, he still got nauseous before each game as he did earlier in his career.

Ernie Wakely[edit]

Ernie Wakely played two games for the Montreal Canadiens from 1962 to 1969. On June 27, 1969, Wakely got his big break when the Canadiens dealt the 28-year-old to the St. Louis Blues for Norm Beaudin and Bobby Schmautz.[3] The 1969–70 season was a career season for Wakely. He appeared in 30 games for St. Louis, registering a 2.11 GAA and four shutouts.[3]

Wakely had to take over from the legendary Glenn Hall. Wakely made the most of his opportunity as he helped lead the Blues to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blues were defeated in four straight games by Bobby Orr's Boston Bruins.[3]

Final standings[edit]

West Division[4]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1 St. Louis Blues 76 37 27 12 224 179 +45 86
2 Pittsburgh Penguins 76 26 38 12 182 238 −56 64
3 Minnesota North Stars 76 19 35 22 224 257 −33 60
4 Oakland Seals 76 22 40 14 169 243 −74 58
5 Philadelphia Flyers 76 17 35 24 197 225 −28 58
6 Los Angeles Kings 76 14 52 10 168 290 −122 38

Record vs. opponents[edit]


Schedule and results[edit]

No. R Date Score Opponent Record
1 W October 11, 1969 7–2 Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 1–0–0
2 W October 15, 1969 4–1 Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 2–0–0
3 W October 18, 1969 4–2 Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 3–0–0
4 L October 19, 1969 2–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 3–1–0
5 T October 22, 1969 3–3 @ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 3–1–1
6 L October 25, 1969 2–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 3–2–1
7 T October 26, 1969 0–0 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 3–2–2
8 T October 30, 1969 2–2 Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 3–2–3
9 W November 1, 1969 8–0 Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 4–2–3
10 L November 2, 1969 4–6 @ New York Rangers (1969–70) 4–3–3
11 T November 5, 1969 4–4 @ Boston Bruins (1969–70) 4–3–4
12 W November 6, 1969 5–2 @ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 5–3–4
13 L November 8, 1969 2–5 @ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 5–4–4
14 W November 13, 1969 4–0 Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 6–4–4
15 L November 15, 1969 2–3 Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 6–5–4
16 L November 16, 1969 2–4 @ New York Rangers (1969–70) 6–6–4
17 W November 19, 1969 4–0 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 7–6–4
18 W November 20, 1969 3–1 Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 8–6–4
19 L November 22, 1969 0–5 New York Rangers (1969–70) 8–7–4
20 W November 26, 1969 4–1 Oakland Seals (1969–70) 9–7–4
21 W November 29, 1969 3–1 Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 10–7–4
22 L November 30, 1969 1–3 @ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 10–8–4
23 W December 3, 1969 3–1 Oakland Seals (1969–70) 11–8–4
24 L December 6, 1969 1–5 Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 11–9–4
25 W December 7, 1969 4–1 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 12–9–4
26 T December 10, 1969 3–3 @ Oakland Seals (1969–70) 12–9–5
27 W December 13, 1969 8–1 @ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 13–9–5
28 W December 16, 1969 6–4 Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 14–9–5
29 T December 18, 1969 3–3 Boston Bruins (1969–70) 14–9–6
30 W December 20, 1969 3–0 Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 15–9–6
31 L December 21, 1969 0–4 @ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 15–10–6
32 W December 23, 1969 5–3 Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 16–10–6
33 W December 26, 1969 3–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 17–10–6
34 L December 27, 1969 1–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 17–11–6
35 W December 30, 1969 5–0 @ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 18–11–6
36 W January 3, 1970 6–0 Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 19–11–6
37 T January 7, 1970 2–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 19–11–7
38 L January 10, 1970 2–6 Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 19–12–7
39 L January 14, 1970 2–5 @ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 19–13–7
40 W January 15, 1970 2–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 20–13–7
41 W January 17, 1970 3–1 Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 21–13–7
42 W January 22, 1970 4–3 New York Rangers (1969–70) 22–13–7
43 L January 24, 1970 2–5 Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 22–14–7
44 L January 25, 1970 0–2 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 22–15–7
45 W January 28, 1970 6–1 @ Oakland Seals (1969–70) 23–15–7
46 W January 29, 1970 3–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 24–15–7
47 L January 31, 1970 1–2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 24–16–7
48 L February 4, 1970 0–1 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 24–17–7
49 L February 6, 1970 1–2 Oakland Seals (1969–70) 24–18–7
50 L February 8, 1970 1–7 @ Boston Bruins (1969–70) 24–19–7
51 L February 11, 1970 2–3 Boston Bruins (1969–70) 24–20–7
52 L February 12, 1970 2–5 @ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70) 24–21–7
53 W February 14, 1970 2–1 Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 25–21–7
54 T February 15, 1970 3–3 @ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 25–21–8
55 W February 18, 1970 5–2 Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 26–21–8
56 W February 20, 1970 3–1 @ Oakland Seals (1969–70) 27–21–8
57 W February 21, 1970 4–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 28–21–8
58 L February 25, 1970 1–2 @ New York Rangers (1969–70) 28–22–8
59 W February 28, 1970 3–2 @ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 29–22–8
60 L March 1, 1970 1–3 @ Boston Bruins (1969–70) 29–23–8
61 W March 4, 1970 3–1 Boston Bruins (1969–70) 30–23–8
62 W March 6, 1970 3–1 New York Rangers (1969–70) 31–23–8
63 T March 7, 1970 2–2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 31–23–9
64 W March 11, 1970 9–1 @ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 32–23–9
65 W March 12, 1970 4–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 33–23–9
66 L March 14, 1970 2–6 Montreal Canadiens (1969–70) 33–24–9
67 T March 17, 1970 5–5 Minnesota North Stars (1969–70) 33–24–10
68 W March 19, 1970 3–1 Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 34–24–10
69 L March 21, 1970 0–2 Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70) 34–25–10
70 L March 22, 1970 0–1 @ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70) 34–26–10
71 W March 24, 1970 4–0 @ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70) 35–26–10
72 L March 27, 1970 2–3 @ Oakland Seals (1969–70) 35–27–10
73 T March 29, 1970 5–5 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 35–27–11
74 T April 1, 1970 2–2 Oakland Seals (1969–70) 35–27–12
75 W April 2, 1970 1–0 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70) 36–27–12
76 W April 4, 1970 3–1 Pittsburgh Penguins (1969–70) 37–27–12

Playoffs[edit]

West Division semi-finals[edit]

In the West Division playoffs, the St. Louis Blues ousted the Minnesota North Stars in six games. The Blues won the first two games at the St. Louis Arena. Game three at the Metropolitan Sports Center featured Gump Worsley's sharp goaltending and Bill Goldsworthy scoring two goals in a 4–2 win for the North Stars. Cesare Maniago played in goal for Minnesota in game four and picked up a 4–0 shutout, tying the series. Game five at St. Louis Arena was tied 3–3 when St Louis scored three goals in the third period by Red Berenson, Terry Gray and Jim Roberts, and the Blues won 6–3. In game six, Ab McDonald scored two goals as the Blues eliminated the North Stars by a score of 4–2.

West Division finals[edit]

Stanley Cup Finals[edit]

Boston Bruins vs. St. Louis Blues

Date Visitors Score Home Score Notes
May 3 Boston 6 St. Louis 1
May 5 Boston 6 St. Louis 2
May 7 St. Louis 1 Boston 4
May 10 St. Louis 3 Boston 4 OT

For the third consecutive year, the Blues were swept in the Stanley Cup Finals. This time, they faced the Boston Bruins, who, with stars like Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, were more than a match for them. The first three games were not close. The Blues managed to force overtime in game four, but Orr scored his famous game-winning goal to end the series.

Player statistics[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG
Phil Goyette C 72 29 49 78 16 13 0 5
Red Berenson C 67 33 39 72 38 16 0 8
Frank St. Marseille RW 74 16 43 59 18 3 0 1
Ab McDonald LW 64 25 30 55 8 11 0 4
Gary Sabourin RW 72 28 14 42 61 11 0 5
Tim Ecclestone LW 65 16 21 37 59 5 0 2
Larry Keenan LW 56 10 23 33 8 3 0 0
Bill McCreary LW 73 15 17 32 16 2 1 1
Barclay Plager D 75 6 26 32 128 1 1 1
Jim Roberts D/RW 76 13 17 30 51 1 2 4
Ron Anderson RW 59 9 9 18 36 0 0 0
Andre Boudrias LW 50 3 14 17 20 1 0 2
Jean-Guy Talbot D 75 2 15 17 40 0 1 0
Bob Plager D 64 3 11 14 113 0 0 0
Terry Crisp C 26 5 6 11 2 0 0 1
Terry Gray RW 28 2 5 7 17 0 0 2
Ray Fortin D 57 1 4 5 19 0 0 0
Noel Picard D 39 1 4 5 88 1 0 0
Bill Plager D 24 1 4 5 30 0 0 0
Norm Dennis C 5 3 0 3 5 0 0 0
Wayne Maki LW 16 2 1 3 4 0 0 1
Camille Henry C 4 1 2 3 0 1 0 0
Al Arbour D 68 0 3 3 85 0 0 0
Jacques Plante G 32 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
Ron Buchanan C 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gary Edwards G 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Glenn Hall G 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jaroslav Jirik LW 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ernie Wakely G 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T GA GAA SO
Jacques Plante 1839 32 18 9 5 67 2.19 5
Ernie Wakely 1651 30 12 9 4 58 2.11 4
Glenn Hall 1010 18 7 8 3 49 2.91 1
Gary Edwards 60 1 0 1 0 4 4.00 0
Team: 4560 76 37 27 12 178 2.34 10

Playoffs[edit]

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG
Ab McDonald LW 16 5 10 15 13 3 0 0
Phil Goyette C 16 3 11 14 6 1 0 2
Larry Keenan LW 16 7 6 13 0 4 0 2
Frank St. Marseille RW 15 6 7 13 4 3 0 1
Red Berenson C 16 7 5 12 8 3 1 1
Bill McCreary LW 15 1 7 8 0 0 0 0
Tim Ecclestone LW 16 3 4 7 48 1 1 0
Jean-Guy Talbot D 16 1 6 7 16 0 0 0
Andre Boudrias LW 14 2 4 6 4 1 0 0
Gary Sabourin RW 16 5 0 5 10 0 0 1
Terry Crisp C 16 2 3 5 2 1 0 0
Jim Roberts D/RW 16 2 3 5 29 0 0 0
Terry Gray RW 16 2 1 3 4 1 0 1
Bob Plager D 16 0 3 3 46 0 0 0
Noel Picard D 16 0 2 2 65 0 0 0
Barclay Plager D 13 0 2 2 20 0 0 0
Al Arbour D 14 0 1 1 16 0 0 0
Ron Anderson RW 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Norm Dennis C 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Ray Fortin D 3 0 0 0 6 0 0 0
Glenn Hall G 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bill Plager D 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jacques Plante G 6 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Ernie Wakely G 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO
Glenn Hall 421 7 4 3 21 2.99 0
Jacques Plante 324 6 4 1 8 1.48 1
Ernie Wakely 216 4 0 4 17 4.72 0
Team: 961 16 8 8 46 2.87 1

[6]

Note:
Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records[edit]

Farm teams[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hockey's Book of Firsts, p. 46, James Duplacey, JG Press, ISBN 978-1-57215-037-9.
  2. ^ a b Legends of Hockey – The Legends – Honoured Player – Hall, Glenn – Biography Archived August 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c Montreal Canadiens Goaltenders: Ernie Wakely 1962–69
  4. ^ "1969–1970 Division Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". National Hockey League.
  5. ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "1969-70 St. Louis Blues Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
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