We can't go back to George Bigliardi's,
we've been there 500000 times.
Plus, I can't afford it.
Let's go to Le Baron.
Go to Le Baron? Yeah, Le Baron's good.
Their... french onion soup with cheese on top.
- Oh, it's so good. - It's perfect.
Why don't we do that after the game, let's go to the game tonight.
Alright, okay, who we cheering for?
Well 1972, that started out with a bang, alright.
Let's see...
It's about one year before Salming was hired.
We're all in the Gardens, it's pre-season, right?
And Gunner, he comes knocking on my door,
he's got this look on his face, he goes,
"Smokey! Smokey! Get out here! Get out!"
He says, "Look, there's three cops
running around looking for somebody."
Oh yeah.
Apparently Ballard had put his hands in the cookie jar
one too many times.
Mr Ballard.
Repairs for the broken spotlights should be about $2,600.
Make those rock promoters pay, they had the volume up to 11.
Unfortunately there is no mention of volume in the contract.
Write it in. Send them a new contract
with the original date and see if it flies.
Alright then.
At the start of the '70s there was this
wind of change that swept through the Gardens.
No, no I'm wrong about that.
It was a god damn hurricane.
Yeah, hurricane Harold, Edwin Ballard.
Oh, Ballard, he felt cursed.
Before him, Maple Leafs, they were Conn Smythe's team.
He was a war veteran, led the Leafs to 13 Stanley Cups.
And Ballard, he was miles from his first.
Problem was, once Ballard took over,
he turned the Gardens into his own image.
Twenty-four-hour circus.
See it just didn't matter to him.
If it was Bob Dylan, Mohamed Ali,
an evangelist preacher, even a tiger tamer, didn't matter.
Anyone and everyone was welcome,
yeah, as long as they could put asses in the seats.
Cause the Leafs, I mean they were always the Gardens' crown jewel.
And most importantly,
that was probably closest to his heart.
If he had one.
But like all great loves, it was also his greatest source of anguish.
Hey!
Put the queen in the basement.
There's room for at least 20 seats there.
But as much as he loved money, the idea of having his name
as the leader of the Leafs on the Stanley Cup,
well that just trumps sales any day.
Even before the drop of the first puck,
Ballard was convicted of 49 counts of fraud,
theft and tax evasion,
and they put his ass behind bars.
Clance.
Wish me luck.
Mr Ballard, can you please step down?
Yeah, yeah.
- Inge! - There he is.
- Hey, Inge. - Hi.
Hey.
- Welcome to Toronto. - Thank you.
Hockey Mecca of the world.
- How are you? - I'm good.
We're happy to have you.
Börje, so nice to meet you.
Hi, I'm Jim Gregory, I'm the general manager.
- Hi, Margitta. - Margitta?
- Hi Margitta. - Wait!
Photo, front page, Toronto Star.
Yeah, we can do something quick for you boys.
Perfect.
- It's big. - Yeah.
But listen, let's just do what we've always done and it'll work out.
We'll just go out there and play hockey.
- Hi. - How are you?
Here.
Hey Tendie, how's your glove tan, big guy?
Oh, I need a new twig.
Oh, look at these boys!
Oh the Swedes are here!
Where do we sit?
Hey Swedies, you guys wanna sit down or stand?
I got to admit.
I was shocked when I saw them step into the locker room that day.
Gerry's talking about the next Bobby Orr, you know, natural born star.
- How you doing, boys? - What am I looking at?
Some roadie who's been ditched from his band,
a pretty boy, waiting for his next photoshoot.
Don't worry about saying hi.
And all I'm thinking is, "Well, there goes Gerry's job."
And now with Ballard in jail,
well, his legendary right-hand man, King Clancy
had to take over the team.
Now, Clancy, he's a pretty fearless guy himself but...
I mean, this was a difficult task even for him.
I mean, last five years, the Leafs...
We won a miserable three playoff games, three.
And truth was, Clancy, he knew this.
His days were numbered if these two Swedish kids failed to delivery.
Sittler, you dirty dog, you, a couple of beers before practice?
Right in front of the new guys too, eh?
What's that for, Swedie?
Sámi bracelet.
From home.
- I don't think he understands me. - You know I'm Swedish too, right?
I'm Swede-ish.
No, no, what are you...? No.
He definitely is not.
We've all seen you handle a puck, there's no Swedish in you.
I do just fine, Hawk.
Oh, at least a couple.
In our offensive zone face-offs.
Wingers, switch sides. Sittler, win the puck.
Lanny, you'll circle back and come around the flank, going low.
Inge, rush the net, fake the take.
Lanny, keep your mits on it.
Sitt will pop up above the hash marks
and he'll shoot the pill as soon as you flip it on it's tape.
Now, PK...
We need to lock in our positions.
Always pressure hard in our defensive zone, on 91.
He's got 50 and 59 with him, and if they box you in, you're cooked.
They will run nonstop one-timers
as often as they can after the face-offs.
So we will look at how and when to close the gap.
D, I want your head on the swivel.
Keep an eye on the man, not the puck.
Close the gaps!
All clear?
Alright let's do offensive position one.
Let's go!
Hey! You guys might wanna think twice about wearing those helmets.
The guys we're facing have more than enough reason to make fun of you,
and the ladies might not be too fond of the hair after the game.
Just saying.
- Take it easy. - Watch the wing!
Hammarström, cover for Salming.
- Salming, come on. - Defence, tighten the box.
Give it to me earlier next time.
Earlier, okay?
Börje.
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Can you understand me?
No.
Okay.
Damnit!
What are you thinking about?
I don't understand anything.
Just go hard on learning English and it'll work out, you'll see.
And how long will that take?
It'll take the time it takes.
I can't play a whole season without understanding.
I'll help you.
- Where are the Swedes? - Shower.
Oh, great.
Hey, guys I got to get your numbers on the back of your game jerseys.
So, I don't know what you want. I've got 11 and 21 available.
Any preferences?
He's asking about the number on our jerseys.
I doesn't matter to me.
I'll go for 11 then.
So, that leaves 21 for you, kid.
Old Bobby Baun's number.
No pressure there, eh?
You got 21.
Hey, you put in quite a shift out there.
I'm Lanny, we met at the trials.
- Inge, I'm sitting next to you. - Happy to hear they signed you guys.
I see the rookies have taken the best showers, bold move boys.
Jim McKenny, but you can call me Howie.
Gentlemen, Howie.
- Darryl Sittler, welcome to Canada. - Thanks.
You guys looking great out there, keep up the good work.
Thanks.
Wow, where do you think you're going?
- Give us a break, we just got out. - Calm your moustache, curlie.
You'll be fine.
Hey! What's going on? Turn the lights on!
Time to shave the boys!
- Do you have the money? - Yes.
Good. Let's treat yourselves.
I think we've earned that.
- What is this? - A car.
I can see it's a car, but who's is it?
- It's ours. - But...
- What do you mean? - I mean, Inge and I bought cars.
You wanna drive it?
Yes, I do.
- Where are we going? - Let's go where my finger lands.
That's all of North America.
There. Now it's a quarter.
Okay.
Wainfleet.
Wainfleet? Let me see.
Okay, Wainfleet is pretty close to the Niagara Falls.
Should we go there instead?
Yes.
It's nice to drive.
I thought you'd like it.
Should we practice some English?
We can do that.
- Fot. - Foot.
- Fote. - Foot.
- Fote. - No, foot.
Make up your mind, is it fote or fute?
- No, it's foot! - Futt?
- Foot. - Fett?
- It's not that hard. - Mhm.
So if it's that easy, do you remember what we practised last?
Try me.
I love Margitta.
Will you come to the game?
Do you want me to?
Do I want you to?
Sure as hell I do.
Then I'll come to the game.
We'll have to make sure we win then.
If I was honest at the time,
nothing really stood out about the Swedes other than they wore helmets.
I mean they put the skates on like everybody else.
They were a little bit fast, but... I don't know.
To be honest I wasn't sure they'd make it to game two.
What are you doing?
What if someone comes?
Live a little.
Oh yeah, new season's always exciting.
But a lot of new things come with it though, like superstitions
and players, they got plenty of them.
Red, he comes in with this deadly looking, pointy metal structure,
insists we put it in the middle of the dressing room to bring luck.
I was worried someone was gonna trip on it and become a shish kebab.
It's called pyramid power.
Red's convinced it gives us strength, and who knows?
Sittler put his stick in before last game of the season last year,
walked off the ice with six goals to his name.
Another guy stuck his Peter in the pyramid,
went home, immediately got his wife pregnant.
So at least something is going on, you know?
First game of the season guys. Buffalo.
We know what to expect.
The French connection proved to be a hit last season, so be on your toes.
But more importantly...
we go out there and play our game.
Okay guys.
Quick start and get it done!
There is nothing like opening night in NHL...
The Maple Leafs are making their way on to the ice.
Norm Ullman, Jim McKenny, promising defence, and Turnbull...
Welcome to the Maple Leaf Gardens and the opening game of the season.
Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres.
Well, we're all set to go, referee Bob Myers...
Back on defence, boys.
Come on, now. Get the puck up.
Idiot!
Where should I go?
It's over there.
Oh, thank you.
Excuse me, thank you.
Play continues as Jim McKenny jumps over the board replacing Mike Pelyk.
Hey, closer to me!
Salming! Close the gap.
- The gap! - Closer to me!
I don't see Bobby Orr out there, Gerry.
Salming's not bad, Clancy, and Inge is picking up speed.
Not bad? You know that's not good enough for Harold.
Listen, Salming has the same speed, skill and hunger out there
I saw in Sweden and in Moscow.
The problem is he can't understand what his coach and teammates
- are saying. - I should've prepared him.
You didn't factor in language
when you were convincing us of signing him?
I could've arranged English lessons.
- That's on me. - It's on us now, Jim.
These guys better shape up before Harold gets back from his vacation
or we're all doomed.
Lanny McDonald has been hit.
McDonald bounces to the ice.
A big check thrown by Robitaill.
I never get used to this.
No, I think he's okay.
You someone's relative? Wife?
Never seen you before in the VIP section.
No, I'm here with the guy in the helmet. Börje.
Ah, one of the new Swedes.
I think I read about you in the papers.
- I'm Christine by the way. - Hi, I'm Margitta.
Margitta, that's a cool name.
- Thanks. - I love your top!
- You do? - Yeah.
I actually... I made it myself.
- That's impressive. - Thanks.
- You want a soda? - Yes, I would love one.
Can we please get two sodas?
You okay, Lanny?
He is out, ambulance will be here any minute.
- Lanny's going to the hospital. - Okay.
Keep me updated.
Stones.
You're on for Lanny.
The score is one thing.
But it doesn't at all reflect the potential I see in you boys.
We need to step it up a notch.
Playing like this might be alright for a win tonight,
but it's not gonna cut it tomorrow against Philly, okay?
You are the Leafs.
Go out there and show them what it means!
- Let's go boys! - Let's go!
Here we go!
- Let's go boys. - Come on.
Carlton 60, let's go.
Start strong.
- I have to cut it, it's not working. - Okay, but hurry up.
Salming, what the hell are you doing?
- It's... big. - It's too big?
- Good yeah. - Oh, okay.
- What the hell is going on? - Take it easy, Gun, it's alright.
I told him it's okay.
Oh, so you're the one calling shots around here now, Smokey?
You wanna safeguard him, go ahead.
He's on your watch now.
Just don't come crying to me
when Harold give you the sack for not sticking to the budget.
Thank you.
And from that moment on, he became my sole responsibility.
And I'll tell you, sometimes he drove me absolutely nuts.
And yet, not a moment I regret.
The game continues here at the Gardens in Toronto.
Buffalo sends out Gilbert Perreault with René Robert and Rick Martin.
From behind the Sabres' net, the puck is in the corner.
Inge Hammarström there for Toronto, Ian Turnbull has gone.
Mike Robitaille gives Hammarström a shot to the back,
and another one. And a vicious cross-check.
Börje Salming doesn't like that at all.
Salming now comes racing in to the blue line
and hammers down Robitaille.
A big jack going by Salming
and proves he's not afraid to throw his weight around.
Okay, so let me get this straight.
You're helmet guy's interpreter?
I'm helmet guy's girlfriend.
I mean he's very bad at English, so,
basically I am his interpreter as well.
You're not married?
No, we are not married, but we've only been together a year
and in Sweden...
it's not as big of a deal as it seems to be here to be married.
But I mean, you came over here with him so, must be serious.
Yeah. I guess so, yeah.
But the management,
they insist on calling me his interpreter for some reason.
- No. - Yeah.
Oh wow. You just made my day.
Here's Börje Salming once again, skating out of his own zone,
turns back and regroup.
He's got Inge Hammarström with him now in the Buffalo zone,
a perfect pass over to number 27, Darryl Sittler and he scores!
Darryl Sittler from Börje Salming,
and the fans here at the Gardens are going wild.
Turnbull and the rest of the Leafs are celebrating.
What a debut it has been for Börje Salming.
Go Börje!
Salming has been sensational,
blocking shots, sacrificing his body.
There it is, that's the fire!
That's what I am talking about.
Go Börje!
Wanna come for a snack in the wives' room?
where we meet the players after the game.
Oh, okay. Yeah.
Come on, then.
We love you, Salming!
- Hi Fred. - Mrs McKenny, how are you?
- I'm good, great game tonight? - Yes, great game. Whoa.
I'm sorry Mrs McKenny, you know the rules. It's wives and players only.
No, she's in the list. Yeah, let's go.
Wait, what's your name?
It's Margitta Wendin.
I'm sorry she's not on the list.
She's with me, I brought a guest with me, is that a problem?
No, it's not a problem.
Thank you.
- Welcome. - Thank you.
Hey boys, great. first round's on me. Bottom shelf.
Hey Börje.
Well played out there tonight.
You really showed that you belong here.
Good game.
Thank you.
Me and the guys are going to the wives' lounge
for some post-game snacks.
Wanna come? It's down the hall to the left. Okay?
Okay.
Okay so tell me, how does this place work?
Oh, it's simple. We all meet here,
then after awhile, the men show up smelling like soap.
- My favourite part of the night. - Hi Margitta.
- Hey, Inge, you were great. - Thanks.
So that guy in Philadelphia has injured like,
half a dozen players just in the pre-season.
- I know. The Hammer, right? - Yeah, the Hammer.
So is everyone here married to one of the players?
Yep, creepy right? It's like a cult.
Except instead of drinking blood, we all eat Yorkshire pie.
Hello. I don't think we've been introduced.
Oh, this is Margitta. Mr Salming's interpreter.
One of the new Swedes.
Hey.
Interpreter, I see.
Well, welcome to the wives' room, Miss...?
Wendin.
Christine? Have you thought more about what you'd like to
contribute to this years,
"The girls and the Maple Leafs are cooking?"
Yeah, crab salad.
Crab salad?
No use fixing something that's not broken.
Exactly.
Hey! you were incredible out there.
- Hi, I'm Samantha. This is Jane. - Hi.
We're just wondering if you're going out afterwards?
- Out? - Yeah.
We know just the place for guys that are like new in town so...
You might need a guide or two?
- I'm sorry, my English... - Girls, this is a restricted area.
Players and players' wives only.
Okay, one sec.
This is my number.
- Baby! - Oh!
- Did you see my goal? - What? you scored?
I'm just kidding. Oh, this is Margitta.
- Salming's interpreter. - Hi.
Easiest job in town, he barely says a word.
Yeah, cause you never stop talking.
- Oh, is that so? - Yeah, I see you out there,
you're just talking the whole time.
Well this guy who talks so much is gonna go and grab us some drinks.
That's my number.
Hi.
I'm Mr Salmings' interpreter.
I thought you might need some help translating.
I think they just wanted to thank me for the game, you know.
He just said that it's a shame that he's not into blondes.
Jane.
- Oh. - Thanks.
- Come on. - Bye.
Are you okay?
Mm.
What did you think of how I played?
You were great.
What's wrong?
No, just...
Why did you stay for so long, talking to those girls?
I didn't even understand them.
No, but you still stayed.
They just wanted an autograph.
Börje...
Please, not even you could be that stupid?
Yeah.
Sure, I can.
Wow, he can actually talk.
What do you think they are saying?
Probably talking about this whole charade they got going on.
The cha...?
Oh, they're...?
Still as sharp as ever, eh babe.
I got something you can translate,
I think my wife has a little crush on your friend here.
Should I be worried?
Oh, don't believe a thing he says!
Ladies, gentlemen.
Sorry to ruin the fun but we have a plane to catch.
Hawk, Monahan.
You're going on some plane.
Oh, right.
We're going to Philadelphia, we've got a game tomorrow.
Come on, guys.
I'll see you when I get back.
Okay.
Way to follow my advice, huh?
Let them talk.
Hey, I like you.
I like you too.
So, what do we do now? Do we go home or?
Home? Girl, the party's just getting started. We're going out.
- We are? - Yes!
As I'm spraying this damn thing, all I'm thinking is,
"Those Swedes got no idea what they're in for."
Philadelphia, the broad street bullies.
They use their sticks for two reasons,
for the puck and as a weapon.
And let's just say the puck was secondary.
- Hey, Smokey, Hurry up back there! - Good enough.
Yeah, they're gonna need more than these god damn helmets.
Bonjour, I just wanted to tell you,
you've got a very nice leather jacket and very beautiful eyes.
Oh...
- Thank you. - Would you like a drink?
- Sorry? - Would you like something to drink?
- A coffee, please. - Coffee?
Are you an artist?
This is just a hobby.
I can assure you, you're the first humble person to enter this café.
I'm sorry, I don't speak French very well.
No worries at all.
I was just about to say, you should give the croissant a go.
They are perfect to have with a nice cup of coffee.
- Yeah... - Get back to work.
Sorry, you heard the boss.
Got to go.
Hell, Ballard didn't serve those nine years in prison.
I heard Ballard laughed right out loud
when he heard the word "good", describing his behaviour.
To tell you the truth, I was kinda glad
all of us were in Philly that day.
I mean, the mood at the Gardens, it was really tense, you know.
Everyone's just waiting, I don't know, just how Harold would react.
Most unpredictable man I ever met.
Welcome back, sir.
And Daddy's home!
See the problem was,
hiring the Swedes, well, that wasn't Ballard's idea.
Great to be home buddy. What's your name again?
And he wasn't really a big fan of anything that wasn't his idea,
or anything that was foreign.
Daddy's back! Oh yeah!
So we were all pretty sure some heads were gonna roll.
Gerry and Jim, well...
they were pretty sure their heads were right on top of that list.
- Welcome back! - Oh no, that teddy bear!
Now...
What's with Jim hiring all of these Europeans?
Oh. Harold, you got to see these guys in person to believe it.
I told you to run a tight ship.
Things are pretty tight around here right now.
Are you ready? In your honour!
Many Leaf fans here, at Spectrum in Philadelphia.
Last night Toronto beat Buffalo at the Maple Leaf Gardens.
Bobby Clark heads off, Terry Crisp...
What you guys do for thanksgiving?
Rosalie put on a great spread, you know.
She always does it every year.
This year though, she used that canned cranberry sauce.
- She didn't make fresh? - No.
Here we go.
This is so much nicer than to watch at home alone.
Where do you live?
Oh, we are staying at the Westbury. Westbury Hotel.
- A hotel? - Yeah.
You can't stay at a hotel.
Why not?
Because. How long have you been there? You need a house.
There is a house for sale on our street.
It's in High Park, oh you would love it!
No, I don't think me and Börje are ready for a house.
Ah, come on.
I could help you decorate
and I'll help you with the move, arranging everything.
It sounds...
We would be neighbours.
Yeah, but it sounds nice, we'll think about it.
- Think about it. - Yeah.
Now Dave Schultz shows over and gives Börje Salming a slash.
They dropped the gloves and we have a scrap.
Salming getting into it with one of the toughest players in the NHL.
- He's not taking no shit! - He's a beast!
Plants a couple of big right hands.
That's incredible, he doesn't go down. He doesn't give up.
That puts bums in the seats.
That puts people in the arena.
He's really going at it.
Look at him.
Yeah, get him!
Yeah, come on!
Oh, yeah, knock him down!
Wow, they are still going at it!
Clance, set up a meeting with Gerry on Monday.
He's gonna be promoted to head scout.
- Good call. - Yeah.
The Brass Rail?
No, no. Someplace else, some place fancy, some place special.
He deserves it.
- And give Jim a raise. - Okay, whatever you say.
The young Swede is earning a lot of respect tonight in Philadelphia.
Kick his ass!
Take him down!
We lost that game.
But we won something.
Something the team and the fans hadn't felt since the '60s.
Respect. And hope.
Cause see now, that throne to the Stanley Cup,
well, it was definitely up for grabs.
We could feel it.
Well, Mr Salming. Welcome to the NHL.
Subtitles: Lily Ray plint.com