The fans crowded into Chicago Stadium
gave their heroes
a three-minute ovation
as the final buzzer
went
off.

During the last minute of play,
a roar of approval
started
to build
up
in exuberant
approval
of the Hawks’ play.

They flooded the ice with

hats,
rubbers,
programs

and a
multitude
of other articles —
including

a skull

one whimsical fan
tossed near
Montreal goalie
Jacques Plante.

The dejected Canadiens
started to move

slowly

off the ice
after the finish, but

then
turned and

came back

to congratulate
the winners.

 

• The Canadian Press reports on Chicago’s 3-0 win over Montreal on April 5, 1961 whereby the Black Hawks defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions 4-2 in their playoff semi-final. Moving on to the Final, Chicago met and bested Detroit. On April 16, the Cup was theirs. Excerpted, edited, and poemized.