Bill Barilko

Bill Barilko scored arguably the most famous goal in Maple Leaf history in Game Five of the 1951 Stanley Cup Final. This overtime marker against Montreal's Gerry McNeil clinched the seventh championship in franchise history. Sadly, it would be the last triumph for Barilko. Later that summer, he disappeared in a plane crash north of Cochrane, Ontario. In an ironic twist of fate, the Maple Leafs did not win another Stanley Cup until 1962, the same year that his remains were finally found.


Four months and five days after he scored the winning goal to clinch Toronto's sixth Stanley Cup, Bill Barilko boarded a Fairchild 24, single- engine plane piloted by his friend Henry Hudson. He was returning home to Timmins from a fishing trip on James Bay. The plane vanished between Rupert House and Timmins. No trace of Hudson, Barilko or the Fairchild was discovered for eleven years, despite massive search efforts. The Maple Leafs were so distraught and unwilling to accept the tragedy that Barilko's equipment remained in his usual locker room stall at the opening of the 1951 fall training camp. Rumours began circulating that Barilko, of Russian decent, had defected to the Soviet Union to teach his skills to young Soviet players. Finally on June 9, 1962, bush pilot Gary Fields came upon the wreck of a Fairchild 24, approximately 100 kilometres north of Cochrane, Ontario. Barilko was finally laid to rest in Timmins; the year that the Leafs won their first Stanley Cup since his disappearance eleven years earlier.
Bill Barilko disappeared that summer,he was on a fishing trip.The last goal he ever scoredwon the Leafs the cupThey didn't win another until 1962,the year he was discovered.I stole this from a hockey card,I keeped tucked up undermy fifty mission cap, I worked it inI worked it into look like that It's my fifty mission caphis fifty mission capI worked it inI worked it inI worked it into look like thatand I worked it into look like thatBill Barilko disappeared that summer,he was on a fishing trip.The last goal he ever scoredwon the Leafs the cupThey didn't win another until 1962,the year he was discovered.my fifty mission cap, I worked it inI worked it into look like that It's my fifty mission caphis fifty mission capI worked it inI worked it inI worked it into look like thatand I worked it into look like thatIt's my fifty mission capIt's my fifty mission capIt's my fifty mission capIt's my fifty mission cap


April 21, 1951
Puck drops for Overtime. The Leafs apply some early pressure. Rocket Richard shakes loose and is on a breakaway. Al Rollins looks beat on the Rocket's deek Richard is tucking the puck into the empty cage and we are heading back to Montreal for game six..........NO!!!! BARILKO!!!!!!Bill Barilko somehow deflected the puck away from the net saving the Leafs from Sudden death defeat!!!The Leafs have now got the puck in the neutral zone... .they get it into the Montreal zone. Harry Watson Passes it across the front of the net to Howie Meeker. Meeker doesn't get a shot off. The puck is behind the Habs net. Meeker attempts a wraparound. Gerry McNeil stumbles but keeps the puck out. Meeker regains possession and is being purseud by Tom Johnson behind the Habs goal. Watson is in front of the net battling with Butch Bouchard. Meeker attempts a pass to Watson, but it deflects off Bouchards skate..... Puck is bouncing into the faceoff circle to McNeil's right. Cal Gardner is going after it... WAIT! Barilko is charging in...... OH Barilko just narrowly misses Gardner and is airborne! He takes a wild slap at the puck........BARILKO!!!!!!Bill Barilko has just back handed the puck over Gerry McNeil's right shoulder! THE LEAFS WIN THE STANLEY CUP!!!54 years ago at 11:07pm Bill Barilko sets in motion his path of destiny!!Here's to You Bashin Bill! /raises glass then takes a drink.
Bill Barilko: Didn't have a long career, but a true Maple Leaf legend
4 cups in his 5 seasons! He came up from the Hollywood Wolves (PCHL) which was behind Pittsburgh (AHL) and Tulsa (I think that was their CHL affiliate...) as the Leafs 3rd level affiliate as an 18 year old, who just 2-3 years prior wasn't good enough to play on his hometown juvenile team. Bill Barilko is maybe the greatest example of what can happen when you work hard. He skated every day, even through the summer to improve his skating. You'd never see anything like that today.
"Fifty Mission Cap"Bill Barilko disappeared that summerHe was on a fishing tripThe last goal he ever scored won the Leafs the cupThey didn't win another until 1962 the year he was discoveredI stole this from a hockey card I keep tucked up underMy fifty mission cap I worked it in to look like that


The firs pic posted is the one most famous and most often seen. It was taken by Nat Turofsky. It is the most requested photograph from the Hockey Hall of Fame archives. The other was taken by Michael Burns and the first time I saw it was in Kevin Shea's book Without a Trace. I love the look on Barilko's face as he realizes that the puck is going in. What great photography by both men that give great perspective from both angles: the agony as you see the Rocket and Bouchard looking on helplessly and McNeil struggling to get back on his feet and has the puck go over his shoulder and the thrill of Victory for #5! An interesting sidenote: Gerry McNeil's wife was in the hospital giving birth to his daughter while the game was being played. He found out after getting off the ice of her birth.
This is all inspired by the book 'Without a Trace" incredible story. Some of the circumstances in the life and death of Bill Barilko gave me the shivers. Reading it was the most religious experience of my life.(the Play by play to open the thread was taking info from the book and trying to imagine what Foster Hewitt may have sounded like)
Leafs Goal by number 5 Bill BarilkoAssist to Howie Meeker.Time of the goal 2 minutes and 53 seconds of the First Overtime
is there a clip of this goal online anywhere?Imagine all famous leaf goals or plays on one website
now that would be beautiful!