Pens bounce back against Barons

Future Pens goalie Gilles Meloche
 in action with the Cleveland Barons,
sporting one of the coolest masks
in NHL history.

Nothing like a visit from the Cleveland Barons to bring a five-game losing streak to an end. Newly acquired forward Gene Carr nets a pair in his home debut as the Penguins get back on track, beating the Barons 5-3 on November 9, 1977. Read the next day's game report.

The Barons were in their second year on the shores of Lake Erie, after moving from Oakland where they had been known as the Golden Seals (and just Seals) since entering the league in 1967. This would be their last year in the NHL before merging with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978.

Pens limp home carrying five-game losing streak

The Pens followed up their loss in Atlanta with a 4-3 defeat on Long Island the next night, burying themselves in the second by giving up three breakaway goals and falling behind 4-1. In this November 7, 1977 report of the team's frustration as they came back home, Jean Pronovost talks about how thinking too much can cost a player, and coach Johnny Wilson looks on the bright side.

Schultz hammers Wings in his Pens debut

Dave Schultz makes his Penguins debut and wastes no time living up to his nickname of "The Hammer", taking six penalties, including a fighting major in the second period. The tough tactics, however, don't change things where it matters - on the scoreboard - and the Pens go down to their third consecutive defeat of the young 1977-78 season, 3-1 to the Red Wings in Detroit.

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.