On March 24, 1936 Hector Kilrea Wins
1936: Game 1 of the semifinal Stanley Cup series between the Red Wings and Montreal Maroons becomes a hockey marathon, going six overtimes. Detroit goalie Norman Smith, whom Montreal considered a weak link, is sensational, making 92 saves and earning a spot in “The Guinness Book of World Records.”
Then it’s a case of Mud splattering Montreal. It’s almost 2:30 the next morning when rookie Mud Bruneteau scores in the sixth overtime to give Detroit a 1-0 victory. Bruneteau, who had been recalled a few weeks ago to play part-time on the third line, takes a pass from Hector Kilrea and beats Montreal goalie Lorne Chabot, who had 66 saves. The longest game in NHL history — 176 minutes and 30 seconds — is finally over in Montreal.
The Red Wings will win the best-of-five series 3-0 and go on to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 in the Stanley Cup final.
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