Norsemen nip Jets 3-2, tie series in fight-filled game, transcribed article (Courier-Express, c.1976-03-26).jpg
Dublin Core
Title
Norsemen nip Jets 3-2, tie series in fight-filled game, transcribed article (Courier-Express, c.1976-03-26).jpg
Description
Norsemen Nip Jets, 3-2, Tie Series in Fight-Filled Game
Claude Noel’s goal from point-blank range after 12:24 of the third period gave the Buffalo Norsemen a 3-2 comeback victory over the Johnstown Jets Thursday night, squaring their best-of-five North American Hockey League quarter-final playoff series at two games apiece.
A Tonawanda Sports Center turnout of 1,531 witnessed the penalty-packed thriller, which ended with a battle among Johnstown’s Jeff Carlson, suspended Norseman Greg Neeld and a Tonawanda sportswriter. The Johnstown team left the arena with the aid of a police escort.
Erase 2-0 Deficit
The two teams will meet in the series deciding game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Johnstown.
Buffalo overcame a 2-0 deficit to even the series. Winger Galen Head scored both Jet goals, the first after just 11 seconds of the hectic opening period. That frame had 18 of the game’s 24 penalties called by referee Ron Fournier.
There were fights galore in the opening 20 minutes. Perhaps the most lively featured Norsemen winger Reg Lahey and Jean Petro, a Johnstown winger. Each received five minutes for fighting, but Petro was tagged with an additional 10-misconduct penalty.
Head’s unassisted goal gave the Jets a 2-0 lead after 14:01 of round two.
After Jet goaltender Lou Levasseur was penalized for delaying the game, veteran Keke Mortson put Buffalo on the board with a power play goal at 15:07 with assists from Larry Gould and Denis Anderson.
Steele Ties Score
About three minutes later, the Norsemen got even on another power play as winger Billy Steele blasted a 15-footer between Levasseur’s legs.
Then, at 12:24 of the third frame, Noel took a pass in front of the net from Paul Crowley and whipped a shot off Levasseur’s pads. The puck caromed over the sprawled netminder and into the net for the winning goal. Charlie LaBelle also drew an assist.
After the game, Neeld (the one-eyed defenseman) became embroiled in a dispute with Carlson as the Jets left the ice. Neeld was in civilian clothes, sitting out the second game of a two-game suspension. A Tonawanda sportswriter tried to intervene in Neeld’s behalf and was pelted in the face by Carlson’s stick and glove. Carlson later apologized.
27 Stops for Vien
Fournier tried to block the Norsemen from leaving the ice, intending to keep the two teams separated. But Guy Trottier, the Norsemen coach also under a playing suspension, helped his players break through the referee.
Buffalo goaltender Mario Vien made 27 saves and received the first star. Steele was awarded the second and Levasseur the third. Johnstown is the NAHL’s Western Division champion. Buffalo finished fourth in that division during the season.
Claude Noel’s goal from point-blank range after 12:24 of the third period gave the Buffalo Norsemen a 3-2 comeback victory over the Johnstown Jets Thursday night, squaring their best-of-five North American Hockey League quarter-final playoff series at two games apiece.
A Tonawanda Sports Center turnout of 1,531 witnessed the penalty-packed thriller, which ended with a battle among Johnstown’s Jeff Carlson, suspended Norseman Greg Neeld and a Tonawanda sportswriter. The Johnstown team left the arena with the aid of a police escort.
Erase 2-0 Deficit
The two teams will meet in the series deciding game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Johnstown.
Buffalo overcame a 2-0 deficit to even the series. Winger Galen Head scored both Jet goals, the first after just 11 seconds of the hectic opening period. That frame had 18 of the game’s 24 penalties called by referee Ron Fournier.
There were fights galore in the opening 20 minutes. Perhaps the most lively featured Norsemen winger Reg Lahey and Jean Petro, a Johnstown winger. Each received five minutes for fighting, but Petro was tagged with an additional 10-misconduct penalty.
Head’s unassisted goal gave the Jets a 2-0 lead after 14:01 of round two.
After Jet goaltender Lou Levasseur was penalized for delaying the game, veteran Keke Mortson put Buffalo on the board with a power play goal at 15:07 with assists from Larry Gould and Denis Anderson.
Steele Ties Score
About three minutes later, the Norsemen got even on another power play as winger Billy Steele blasted a 15-footer between Levasseur’s legs.
Then, at 12:24 of the third frame, Noel took a pass in front of the net from Paul Crowley and whipped a shot off Levasseur’s pads. The puck caromed over the sprawled netminder and into the net for the winning goal. Charlie LaBelle also drew an assist.
After the game, Neeld (the one-eyed defenseman) became embroiled in a dispute with Carlson as the Jets left the ice. Neeld was in civilian clothes, sitting out the second game of a two-game suspension. A Tonawanda sportswriter tried to intervene in Neeld’s behalf and was pelted in the face by Carlson’s stick and glove. Carlson later apologized.
27 Stops for Vien
Fournier tried to block the Norsemen from leaving the ice, intending to keep the two teams separated. But Guy Trottier, the Norsemen coach also under a playing suspension, helped his players break through the referee.
Buffalo goaltender Mario Vien made 27 saves and received the first star. Steele was awarded the second and Levasseur the third. Johnstown is the NAHL’s Western Division champion. Buffalo finished fourth in that division during the season.
Date
1976-03-26
Collection
Citation
“Norsemen nip Jets 3-2, tie series in fight-filled game, transcribed article (Courier-Express, c.1976-03-26).jpg,” North Tonawanda History, accessed April 9, 2026, https://nthistory.com/items/show/4678.