Savill lays down the Hammer

Our look at the Pens' 1977-78 season continues...

The two early-season embarrassments the Penguins suffered at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers (8-2 at home October 15 followed by an 11-0 lambasting five nights later at the Spectrum) did not sit well with Penguins Chairman of the Board Al Savill. One third of the team's ownership group, a frustrated Savill impulsively decided to toughen the Pens up by engineering a trade for the poster boy of '70s goon hockey, Dave "The Hammer" Schultz.

By this point, Schultz's days as the Broad Street Bullies' head haymaker were far behind him, having been dealt by the Flyers to the L.A. Kings in September 1976 before coming to Pittsburgh. The trade that brought him to the Pens saw the popular Syl Apps Jr. along with Hartland Monahan going west in exchange for Schultz, speedy forward Gene Carr and a draft pick.

Read the report of the trade that appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, containing Savill's rationale for the trade.

Cherry in fine form ahead of tilt with Pens - Oct. 29/77

Don Cherry brought his Big Bad Boston Bruins to the Igloo in late October 1977 and the coach was in fine verbal form when talking to reporters before the game. Meanwhile his Pittsburgh counterpart Johnny Wilson complains about his need to "draw plays" for his offense. (Uh, isn't that what a coach is supposed to do, Johnny? Just sayin'...)

Read the latest article from the Pittsburgh Press as the in-depth season review for 1977-78 continues...

Pens welcome Terrible Ted and the Red Wings - Oct. 26/77

Former Red Wings great "Terrible" Ted Lindsay was sitting in the team's GM chair in 1977, trying to turn around a once-proud squad that had fallen on hard times. Read how he compares building a hockey team to making a cake in this gameday report prior to facing the Pens at the Igloo.

Owchar loses it on fans during loss to Wings - Oct. 26/77

Penguins D-man Dennis Owchar made no bones about it: he didn't like the fans in Pittsburgh and "hates playing here." The hard words came after Owchar was booed by the hometown fans every time he touched the puck during a 4-3 loss to Detroit. Read the report of his horrible night.

Pens best Barons in Cleveland - Oct. 23/77

Before less than 6,000 fans in Cleveland, the Penguins make it two in a row (after beating another soon-to-be-gone team, the Atlanta Flames, the night before) by taking out the Barons 3-2. (Check out the nice pic on the interior page of Dunc Wilson sporting his cool X-star mask.)

One of the Pens' most embarrassing losses ever - Oct. 20/77

October 20, 1977 - The Penguins give up a goal nine seconds in and are lambasted 21-4 in shots on goal in the first period alone on their way to perhaps the most embarrassing loss in franchise history, an 11-0 massacre against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

Herron saves the day vs. Rangers - Oct 19/77

October 19 , 1977 - Goalie Denis Herron stands on his head to help the Pens take a point out of the Big Apple. GM Baz Bastien compares putting and goaltending after the performance.