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Reuters
ATLANTA - Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, the hockey Hall of Famer credited with inventing the slap shot, died Saturday before his No. 5 jersey was retired by the Montreal Canadiens.
Geoffrion, who helped lead powerhouse Montreal teams to six Stanley Cups in the 1950s and early ’60s, died after a brief battle with stomach cancer. He was 75.
Geoffrion died in an Atlanta hospital, the Canadiens said. His cancer was discovered during surgery last week.
He didn’t live to see his number retired, but still was able to relish the knowledge that his place in history was secure, said Rejean Houle, former Montreal general manager and current head of the Canadiens alumni.
“He had known six months ago, and he enjoyed every minute of it,” Houle said. “At least it’s not like we decided to do it after he passed away.”
The Canadiens went ahead with the ceremony before Saturday night’s game against the New York Rangers. Geoffrion’s wife, Marlene, his three children and his grandchildren were in attendance.
His number went up right next to the No. 7 of Marlene’s father, Canadiens great Howie Morenz, just as Geoffrion predicted many years ago when the couple was dating.
“Tonight marks the realization of his life’s dream and brings closure to a magnificent career,” said Danny Geoffrion, who was coached by his father with Montreal in 1979-80. “Dad, your family loves you more than you’ll ever know.”
Danny addressed the crowd in English, and brother Bobby spoke in French. A moment of silence was observed in Bernie Geoffrion’s honor just moments after Marlene and their children raised his banner.
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Paul Chiasson / AP Bernard "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, shown here in 2005, died in an Atlanta hospital on Saturday of stomach cancer. He was 75. |
Marlene, married to Bernie for 54 years, flew from their home in Atlanta along with their daughter, Linda, as the ceremony proceeded according to Geoffrion’s wishes.
With the lights dimmed and spotlights in the shape of No. 5 moving throughout the crowd, the first big cheer of the ceremony came when a clip was shown on the videoboard of Geoffrion at an Oct. 15 press conference explaining his reaction to learning that his number would be retired.
Former teammates Emile “Butch” Bouchard, Dollard St. Laurent, Andre Pronovost, Phil Goyette, Marcel Bonin, Dickie Moore, Jean-Guy Talbot and Henri Richard were introduced to the crowd, each wearing vintage jerseys with the numbers they made famous. Richard’s No. 16 and Moore’s No. 12 are among the eight numbers previously retired by the team.
The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
The Red Wings continues their historic winning streak as they down the Flyers 4-3
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