Maurice Richard: Histoire d'un Canadien Page #4

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Need help?

No.

Do you have to play?

CKAC wants to talk to you.

For an interview on the 28th.

Six leagues want you

to ref their finals.

You don't have to accept.

Say yes.

- Maurice.

- I've no choice.

My brother called.

It's the seventh match.

You help the entire province.

But not my brother.

You never ask them for anything!

Thank you.

- Maurice!

- Hello.

Paul St-Georges.

I'm very sorry, I don't have time.

It's not for an interview, I...

Mr St-Georges, I have a game.

Two minutes!

Pea soup!

I'd be grateful for two minutes.

For years

you've been biting your tongue.

We'd like to publish

your opinions in our paper.

- Not me.

- I'd write for you.

You'll give me your opinion,

and I'll write something

to make them bigwigs react.

For example...

How many times have you won

the scoring title?

- Never.

- Never!

The other teams cheat.

They give assists to their stars

even if they're off ice.

So I'll write that's the reason

the Rocket

has never won the scoring title.

No.

Other reporters

don't have the guts to tell the truth.

It's important,

so things can change.

That's two minutes.

It's important

or we'll always be starting over.

It'll always be the same thing.

- Mr Selke.

- Maurice.

I was wondering

if it would be possible

for you to help me

with a problem I have with...

my brother-in-law.

Yeah, sure. Anything.

Come on in.

This is real swell.

You've got the right man for...

That's for sure.

With me,

there's never a problem.

It's not because

I'm related to...

that I'd ask for...

I'm very accommodating!

Whatever happens, stay here.

How will I see the game?

Hey...

Maurice wanted me

to see the game.

No. You're okay.

Then check your skate for cement.

Something's

got be slowing you down.

Maybe you're too old.

Maybe we can fix you up

with a walker.

Put some little blades on it.

Or we can ask the youngster

to help you skate around.

I don't wanna see Maurice tonight,

I want the Rocket!

Montreal Forum

Boston vs Canadiens

- Second Period -

Boys, boys.

Watch number 9.

Don't let him go by.

Alright? We gotta win that game.

Let's go, guys!

- What's the score?

- 1 all.

Third Period

- 4 minutes left -

Holy sh*t.

What are you waiting for?

Maurice! Maurice!

Maurice! Maurice!

Nice work.

I've been a fan for 30 years.

I've owned the team for 12.

You scored the greatest goal

I ever saw.

I'll never forget.

I asked Georges to drive you.

Don't push me away.

Maurice...

What happened?

I've never seen you like that.

Ever.

They'll drive you crazy.

Maybe.

July 1952

Look, dear,

find yourself another chump.

I want things to change.

Alright.

What'll we talk about?

Their insults.

I, Maurice Richard,

as a journalist

and veteran of the Canadiens,

I want to help

with my modest means.

Wilson and Howe's insults

got to me.

Mr Chadwick refuses to help

Bouchard and me only

because we're French Canadian.

I wanted to tell you

that you are the best

Canadiens manager

of all time.

And I just wanted to tell you

that it is a good idea

to repaint the forum,

because it shows

you respect the fans.

Well, I do respect the fans.

Can I show you something?

Yeah, sure.

So... what d'you wanna show me?

People... don't like this.

1952-53 Season

And then there's referee Udvari,

who acts like

he's on Conn Smythe's payroll.

It undermines

the league's credibility.

In Miss Norris and Jack Adams's

presence, another referee

wants only to impress.

I shouldn't have to point this out

and I've swallowed too much,

put up with too much.

If Boston wants to play rough,

fine with me.

If it means getting hurt,

so be it.

If I'm pushed,

I'll strike the first blow.

Spread the word.

They call us goddamn Frenchmen!

The league tolerates it!

What else?

I'm too riled to go on.

We need 200 more words

to finish the column.

Leave it blank.

"I'm too riled to go on. "

Maurice...

Gentlemen! Gentlemen!

Gentlemen.

Gentlemen.

Well, that was one hell of a ride!

And, uh...

I just want to take this moment

to thank each and every

single one of you

for your effort and for your courage.

Each and every one of you

has been an essential part

of this greatjourney.

Thank you

for persevering

until we won

the Stanley Cup.

And now let's drink

some champagne.

1953-54 Season

That hothead Murphy

smashed Geoffrion on the skull.

Murphy bragged he'd bust his face.

Geoffrion had no choice.

Murphy swung hard.

Boom Boom pulled back in time.

The stick just grazed him.

Two inches more, he'd be dead.

The other reporters

have covered that.

I wrote a piece

on the St. Sauveur gang.

The commissioner

handed down his ruling.

You want to attack Campbell?

You want to attack

the league commissioner?

Yes.

Get me someone

who reads French.

Yes, Mr Campbell.

I will not apologize

and I will not stop writing in a paper.

Well, then Campbell says

you can no longer play in the NHL.

Will the Canadiens stand by me?

You've taken on Campbell

in the paper!

Everything in there is true

and you know it!

Mr Irvin, there are all things

you have said yourself.

There are all things

other governors have said -

in the paper

and on the radio.

Conn Smythe has said

the same thing, Jack Adams!

- It's all true, but it's not up to you.

- Things have to change!

Things have to change!

We're all trying to change things.

I will not apologize.

Why can Maurice Richard

give his opinion?!

You do as you want, Maurice.

But I'll tell you one thing:

If you choose not to retract,

it'll be the worst decision

you've ever made.

Because you're a great hockey player,

the best I've ever seen.

But if you're no longer in the NHL,

in a year's time,

no one will give a sh*t

what you think.

Or what you write.

You're a hockey player,

play hockey.

Maurice...

I've written the letter for you.

If you don't sign it,

don't bother coming to Chicago.

Here.

On the house.

One year later...

As a general rule, after 12 years,

players' careers are over,

leaving thousands of fans

in mourning.

But at 34, the Rocket's had

his best season yet.

Despite rookies

like Geoffrion, Bliveau and Moore,

Maurice has outdone himself.

He's the Habs' number-one asset.

All Quebec follows his every move.

With 4 regular matches left,

he's a step away

from finally winning

the scoring title.

Good luck!

There you go, boys.

Read what Boston thinks

about les Canadiens.

I'm gonna give you two,

so you really know just how

much they hate you down there.

Boston Garden, March 13, 1955

- 3rd Period -

Okay, guys, let's go! Let's go!

Step it up!

Let's go. Let's get out there!

Come on. Let's go.

Change up, boys!

We're here for Mr Richard.

Everything's under control.

We need to talk to Maurice.

This concerns the NHL.

We're not leaving here

without Maurice.

Yes, you are.

You went too far,

hitting a referee!

I never saw a ref

hold someone like that.

It was dangerous.

Montreal

- Wednesday, March 16, 1955-

Mr Richard,

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