This Day in Hockey History – December 29, 1957 – Lefty’s Third Turn a Tie

As a 38-year-old “portly gent wearing the red jacket” at the Detroit Red Wings’ bench, assistant trainer Ross “Lefty” Wilson was still prepared to don his goalie pads. Back when the teams did not supply their own backup goalies, it was the home team’s responsibility to “provide a spare netminder” in cases of emergencies. On December 29, 1957, he had his third and final opportunity to fill in during an NHL game and the only time he was credited with a decision.

Interestingly, Wilson was not called to fill in for Detroit’s goalie, Terry Sawchuk, but instead for the Boston Bruins goaltender, Don Simmons. The last time the Bruins had needed a replacement was three years prior, when Sawchuk had been injured playing for them. Wilson himself had subbed for Sawchuk for about 16 minutes of the third period when the Red Wings played at Montreal on October 10, 1953. Then, on January 2, 1956, he manned the net for about 13 minutes for Harry Lumley of the Toronto Maple Leafs. For these games, he boasted of being “the only unscored upon goalie in NHL history.” He may also have been the “only trainer who ever was ‘suspended.’” The Boston Globe reported, “He was ordered by NHL president Clarence Campbell to remain away from the Detroit bench for a month for jockeying a referee.” However, he was a Detroit fan favorite, often playing the second period of Red Wings exhibition games against the University of Michigan.

Nearly at the end of 1957, at 8:20 in the first period, “Simmons was hurt in a scramble at the net for Marcel Pronovost’s rebound.” As described by the Detroit Free Press, “Rookie Billy McNeil fell into him and Simmons crashed awkwardly to the ice. After he had been helped to the dressing room, Wilson was waved from the Detroit bench to take over.” Simmons’ shoulder had been dislocated with a torn capsule, so he was sent to “Detroit Osteopathic Hospital where the shoulder was set by Red Wings physician, Dr. J.D. Sheets.” According to the Boston Globe, Simmons would be out for two to three weeks, so the Bruins planned to replace him with Al Millar of the Quebec Aces. Lynn Patrick was already scouting there and said, “I have a little confidence in Millar. He turned in a terrific game this afternoon.” The first trial for the temporary goalie would be a New Year’s Eve game against the Montreal Canadiens.

When Wilson got the call to mind the net, 11,644 fans watched him take the ice wearing a Boston jersey, Detroit pants, and his own pads. He joked, “It took up more of the net than usual and gave them less of an opening to shoot at. I weighed 195 when I started and five pounds less when I finished.” Wilson made seven saves before the Red Wings scored on him late in the first period. Then he made another 16 saves before the end of the game to end with a .958 save percentage. Marshall Dann of the Detroit Free Press summarized, “Aside from Wilson’s chirping and spry performance, it was an exceedingly poorly played hockey game.” Herb Ralby wrote for the Boston Globe that “Bruins players praised Wilson’s performance. . . . And between the periods he kept them relaxed in the dressing room with his keen sense of humor.” However, Wilson himself said, “Don’t you believe it. I was too tired to say too much.”

In the end, the Bruins were also able to score again in the second period to end the game tied with the Red Wings at 2-2. This point was enough to move the Bruins into third place in the NHL standings and could have cost the fifth-place Red Wings a playoffs berth. In response, Wilson said, “Those are the breaks of the game. You don’t think of that when you’re out there. All you think of is doing your best to stop the puck.” He may not have kept up the distinction of not having any goals scored on him, but Wilson only allowed one goal in his three NHL appearances and technically remained unbeaten.

 Additional Sources:

• https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-det/1957/12/29/1957020105#game=1957020105,game_state=final
• Marshall Dann, “Goalie Hurt, But Boston Ties Wings,” Detroit Free Press, 30 Dec. 1957, p. 23 and 25.
• Herb Ralby, “Simmons Injured; Wings’ Trainer In Bruins’ Goal As Teams Tie,” Boston Globe, 30 Dec. 1957, p. 1 and 6.
• Herb Ralby, “Sub Goalie Helps Bruins Get Vital Point,” Boston Globe, 30 Dec. 1957, p. 8.
• “B’s Borrow Goalie, Then Tie, 2-2,” Boston Globe, 30 Dec. 1957, p. 6.