It is one of sports photography's most iconic moments. Bobby Orr netted the winning goal of the 1970 Stanley Cup in overtime ... and then he went airborne.
Ray Lussier was a photographer covering Game 4 of the Finals against the St. Louis Blues for the old Boston Record American. Lussier is said to have left his assigned perch near the Bruin's goal before the overtime period commenced, concluding that most of the action would be directed toward Blues' goalie Glenn Hall. As the story goes, a competitor photographer had briefly left the coveted spot in the corner by the Blue's net that had some small holes for camera lenses. He apparently did so to get a cold beer, since it was 93 degrees outside and the old Boston Garden was sweltering that day.
Just 40 seconds into overtime, Derek Sanderson passed from behind the goal line to a sweeping Bobby Orr who scored and was immediately tripped up by Blues' defenseman Noel Picard. Lussier used his Nikon F with a 35mm lens to score the miracle shot of a lifetime just as the other photographer returned to demand his spot back. And, as they say, the rest is history. One of my favorite lines from the time belongs to Hall who is supposed to have quipped that he, "was off the ice, showered and enjoying a beer by the time Bobby landed.”
I remember that day vividly, though I was young. It was my birthday and Mother's Day, too. I got to meet Bobby several times over the years, sharing dinner one night at the dedication of the Armand LaMontagne wooden statue in his honor. You will find no finer gentleman in the sports world.
Lussier teaches us many lessons here. Certainly one of them is that if you don't like your position - your lot in life - then improve it, fairly but firmly. Another one is to use common sense to anticipate what might happen next and then choose to be part of it. A third lesson is to be observant and act fast when it matters.
You can learn more about this epic team and moment - or relive it, too - when the NHL Network airs its documentary “The 1970 Bruins: Big, Bad & Bobby” tonight at 8:00 p.m.
I remember that day vividly, though I was young. It was my birthday and Mother's Day, too. I got to meet Bobby several times over the years, sharing dinner one night at the dedication of the Armand LaMontagne wooden statue in his honor. You will find no finer gentleman in the sports world.
Lussier teaches us many lessons here. Certainly one of them is that if you don't like your position - your lot in life - then improve it, fairly but firmly. Another one is to use common sense to anticipate what might happen next and then choose to be part of it. A third lesson is to be observant and act fast when it matters.
You can learn more about this epic team and moment - or relive it, too - when the NHL Network airs its documentary “The 1970 Bruins: Big, Bad & Bobby” tonight at 8:00 p.m.
Image courtesy of Ray Lussier/Boston Record American/Herald American via AP.