Farber on the Forum

posted by Mike Boone at 22h36 EST on Jul 23


MORENZ_PHOTO_CLOSE.JPG

Sports Illustrated has asked its writers to pick their favourite venues.

Michael Farber chose the Forum. In recalling the ghosts, Farber writes:

They were in the rafters with the retired jerseys, stampeding with the fans when the doors opened before the game so they could get a good spot in the standing-room section, hanging out in the cramped corridors where they were getting two-packs-a-day's worth of second-hand smoke during intermissions, noshing on the steamed hot dogs for sustenance before heading back inside to haunt, say, the Boston Bruins.

 

 

(Pictured: The only known photograph of Howie Morenz's funeral, March 11, 1937.)




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Odie Cleghorn's picture
Submitted by Odie Cleghorn on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 15:40.
And, there's no way a Youppi or any of those mronic,inane, asinine white towels would have found their way through the Forum doors. I can only imagine the Rocket's red glare had he looked up to only to see Youppie there helping create a "memorable fan experience". As for my brother Sprague's response? Let's just say that Youppie and its breed would have been declared an extinct species in short order.

Ed's picture
Submitted by Ed on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:04.
My first game at the Forum was in 1978 when the Canadiens were flying high. It was the second last game of the regular season, but I could still feel the electric atmosphere as soon as I walked inside that building that I had before seen only on TV. The Habs were playing Detroit, and won 5-1. The highlights for me were seeing Lafleur score his 59th & 60th goals, Shutt try unsuccessfully to get his 50th (I believe he had 12 shots on goal), and just to see all my favourite players live for the first time. I also was impressed that night by how hard Mario Tremblay played during the game. I loved the old Forum, and afterwards got to see more games, both with friends, and then with our sons as they got older. Oh the memories that the Forum has for so many people, and the historic events that occurred there. It will never be surpassed IMO.

Ian G Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:04.
Every time I think of this special spot on the planet, I can hardly swallow and my eyes become very misty for what this place and the people inside it did for me. If there is a here after, I know who I'll be looking for first.

Phil_T's picture
Submitted by Phil_T on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 13:24.
There's this amazing book called Une enfance Bleu-Blanc-Rouge by Marc Robitaille.It's got some nice stories about the old forum, the players back then,etc. Basically what that team meant for the city and for its people. It's worth a look

Submitted by Montreal_Mort on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 13:14.
I grew up in the 60s and 70s beside Westmount Park (near where Ken Dryden rented) and walked to the Forum many, many times as a kid. About les chiens chaudes - the buns were grilled two sides at a time by those flip-down grillers. But what made them amazing was the margarine or butter that gave them their amazing flavor and texture. And, while I am not sure about this detail, I think the dogs were actually steamed first and then put into the bun for a final grilling - le coups de gras! Especially with an Export! MM

Phil_T's picture
Submitted by Phil_T on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 12:51.
Death, taxes and the first penalty at the Montreal Forum. HAHA that's rich I like it!

Submitted by Medfly on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 12:20.
When I was in University in London I went at least once a year with my buddies. It was excellent. What a place to see a game and especially a playoff game. Now I go every year to the Bell Center with my family. Not the same building but the fans are just as great.

habsguy's picture
Submitted by habsguy on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 11:26.
I was there for the double Islander overtime playoff game in 93, also one of the Sabre games...

Skotbot's picture
Submitted by Skotbot on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 10:12.
At 25 years of age, I feel priviledged to have seen many games at the Forum. The 1993 All-Star game watching our favorite feuder Kevin Lowe, or Gartner scoring 4 goals after coming in as a replacement for Messier.. and dont forget the tribute to Lemiux who was suffering from Hodgkins. and speaking of 1993...I recall something about a game 5... seeing a cup being hoisted... I still think my fondest memories of the forum would have to be walking up Atwater avenue under the overpass anticipating the sight of the lights and grandeur on the horizon. I often find myself sitting on the remaining reds sitting next to center ice in the now commercially disaterous AMC Forum... Heres to memories! CHEERS! Do I listen to pop music because I am miserable? Or am I miserable because I listen to pop music?

longtimehabsfan's picture
Submitted by longtimehabsfan on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 09:50.
I was there only once, but a great game. After my cousin Angelo called me to guarantee standing room only, I drove all night from Long Island NY to Montreal. The game: Game 4 of the 1986 Cup finals. Habs won a nail biter 1-0, a game in which both Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon were standing on their heads.

Morenz7's picture
Submitted by Morenz7 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 09:13.
Hey Farber: FYI, we all moved over the Bell Centre last year. Remember that comeback against the Rangers? You think that was luck? Best regards, Howie P.S. can you ask them to turn down the volume on the g.d. scoreboard?

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 12:45.
Damn right Howie! Laraque will make them Pay the Price!

xaverian001's picture
Submitted by xaverian001 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 08:24.
I would have loved to have seen a game at the Forum, but unfortunately I have never set foot inside the doors. These are all great stories. Reading stuff like this allows me to hear the sounds, smell the smells, taste the food and beer, and see the sights. Great stuff!!!

RetroMikey's picture
Submitted by RetroMikey on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 07:42.
7 days until D-Day (Decision day for Mats) Will you be disappointed?? "We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"

Submitted by Dee on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 07:36.
Nostalgia,nostalgia.Love the old Forum still call it the forum sometimes senior moments.I was at the game when the city lights went out.There was a little flicker in the Forum no one noticed till we went out on Saint Catherine street they must have one big generator.Yes the best hot dogs that were grilled, buns were toasted.The usheretts wore red blazers and navy skirts,the ushers wore red blazers and navy pants.Oh the standing room,you had to almost push your way through them to get anywhere but it was fun.I would sit on the roof to see a habs game back then. Love the habs 4 ever.

Submitted by sadave on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 12:25.
Know what you mean, Dee! I lived in Ottawa but would ride Voyageur down to Montreal a couple of times a year to attend games at the Forum. No tickets for seats, usually, so we'd line up and wait for the doors to open for the standing room. Then came the mad dash up and around corners and then up some more because the "good" standing room spots were taken. Up another level! Like you said, we'd stand anywhere to see a game! Pre-game ritual was dinner at St Hubert, on Sherbrooke, just the other side of Decarie . . . there was also a chicken place not far from the Forum on St Catherine. Haven't been to the Bell Centre yet . . .

Puck Bard's picture
Submitted by Puck Bard on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 07:02.
I remember the dogs being steamed, and the 'Spos dogs as being grilled (but I could be wrong). Also remember that Beliveau would ALWAYS exit through the front door of the Forum, and would ALWAYS sign autographs.

G-Man's picture
Submitted by G-Man on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 05:36.
The Montreal Forum. Even the way the words sound out together is just right. When the team's owners decided to build the new arena and chose the word "Center", the ghosts decided not to move. Even when then Captain Turgeon tried to perform an exorcism on the vaunted Forum's ice the night they played the last game, the ghosts would NOT be moved. Of course, no real playoff success since the move to the new building is just coincidence, right? Gilbert 2008/09 is the season of the Habs

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 04:34.
Laffs are not out of the picture : Sundin .. by Paul Hunter .. TO Star ..... http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/464698

Bill H's picture
Submitted by Bill H on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 09:50.
I would expect the Star to be optimistic of Sundin's chances to play in Toronto, just as I would expect the Gazette to point out what Montreal has to offer. The crux of the article is here in 3 short paragraphs: "There seems to be little to entice Sundin back to Toronto. The Leafs finished 12th in the Eastern Conference last season, out of the playoffs for the third consecutive campaign, and they have the potential to be even weaker this coming season. "But the Leafs have signed a former teammate Sundin has always admired in Joe Nieuwendyk to work with Fletcher. They Leafs also repatriated goaltender Curtis Joseph, a player Sundin also holds in high regard. "Those connections, along with Sundin's comfort level in the city and his affinity for Fletcher, have kept Toronto in the picture." A hopeless team with people that Sundin admires and would like to play with, in a city that has become home.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 04:28.
Sundin Wait : Fans offer Smoke Meat , Shot at the Cup etc .. The Montreal Gazette ..... http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/sports/story.html?id=2f2b3bd7...

Bean's picture
Submitted by Bean on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 00:36.
... stampeding with the fans when the doors opened before the game so they could get a good spot in the standing-room section ... This. This was always so much fun when I was little, pressing up against the doors and then a huge swarm of happy, excited Hab fans sweeping up the stairs and down the halls together, adults and kids alike laughing and whooping it up. I was a small kid and could duck and dodge between the mass of legs and elbows in the mad rush, and could usually squirm my way into decent viewing position at the railings for the standing-room. Such a fun way to start off the game! Man, Farber's words just gave me the most vivid flashback.

Submitted by sportsfreak_39 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 00:13.
Mike just take a day off already, take a week off THERES NO NEWS NOW!

The Cat's picture
Submitted by The Cat on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 03:41.
I am going on vacation, see you all in about a week!

Ian G Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 23:17.
HABS SUMMIT 2008 MAIN ORGANIZER-IAN TICKETS OFFICER--- Vicky-Habschick TOUR ORGANIZER----Stephen Herron CHARITY officer--CHUCK AND ROBERT L WEB MASTER----Stephen Herron and Robert L ACCOMADATIONS---ROB SWEICK PRE GAME DINNER--Bryan Traynor AFTER GAME PLACE WITH ROOM,BAR--Bryan Traynor Summit game will be Oct. 25th vs Ducks It looks like we are ready to proceed with the ordering of tickets. As soon as Vicky tells me, we will put up the E-Mail address and information as how to proceed. Watch for it probably tomorrow. A lot of interest, so order early as tickets will be first come first serve. Good job Stephen and Vicky.

Submitted by vic on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 23:05.
My Mother brought to the funeral, I was one year old so no memory.Just memories of the Canadiens

Moey's picture
Submitted by Moey on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 22:52.
Thanks Mike, that was enjoyable, I know you're holding down the fort this summer, and doing a damn fine job, but boy this is so refreshing, (no mention of the sundowner). I understand you have to report the same old headlines and rumors, my sympathies, crap, it must be tiresome.

Submitted by Sami on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 22:49.
Although, I remember the 'dogs as being grilled.......if I'm not correct..and they were goooooood. Correct me if I'm wrong and I'll go to the woodshed..........

Submitted by Sami on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 22:45.
I was there for both instances when the lights went out in the Forum and the Garden in '88. Just goes to show you where the priorities are.....in Montreal, it's hockey, nuff said............