The1969–70St. Louis Blues season involved them finishing in first place in theWest Division and being the only team in the West Division with a winning record for the second consecutive season, as they finished 22 points ahead of the second-placedPittsburgh Penguins. The Blues matched their previous season's total of 37 wins but finished with 86 points, two points shy of the previous season's points total. NHL legendCamille Henry played his final game with the St. Louis Blues, notching 3 points in 4 games.
From a goaltending standpoint, the franchise experienced many changes.Glenn Hall had retired at the end of the 1968–69 season but returned. Despite an appearance in the All-Star Game,Jacques Plante played his final season in St. Louis. He was sold by the Blues to theToronto Maple Leafs for cash on May 18, 1970.Ernie Wakely was acquired from the defending Stanley Cup championMontreal Canadiens and became the Blues starting goaltender for the following season.
In the playoffs, St. Louis defeated theMinnesota North Stars 4–2 and the Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 to advance to their third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, where they were swept by theBoston Bruins.Phil Goyette became the firstLady Byng Trophy winner in franchise history as he led the team with 78 points. This would also mark the last time the Blues would make the finals until2019, where they would again face the Bruins, and captured their first Stanley Cup in seven games.
As he did with theChicago Black Hawks in 1966,Glenn Hall retired from St. Louis at the end of the 1968–69 season.[2] He was talked into returning, usually with a promise of more money, but he didn't profess to enjoy his livelihood.[2] Although Hall stayed in St. Louis, he still got nauseous before each game as he did earlier in his career.
Ernie Wakely played two games for theMontreal Canadiens from 1962 to 1969. On June 27, 1969, Wakely got his big break when the Canadiens dealt the 28-year-old to the St. Louis Blues forNorm Beaudin andBobby Schmautz.[3] The 1969–70 season was a career season for Wakely. He appeared in 30 games for St. Louis, registering a 2.11 GAA and four shutouts.[3]
Wakely had to take over from the legendary Glenn Hall. Wakely made the most of his opportunity as he helped lead the Blues to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blues were defeated in four straight games byBobby Orr'sBoston Bruins.[3]
In the West Division playoffs, the St. Louis Blues ousted theMinnesota North Stars in six games. The Blues won the first two games at theSt. Louis Arena. Game three at theMetropolitan Sports Center featuredGump Worsley's sharp goaltending andBill Goldsworthy scoring two goals in a 4–2 win for the North Stars.Cesare Maniago played in goal for Minnesota in game four and picked up a 4–0 shutout, tying the series. Game five at St. Louis Arena was tied 3–3 when St Louis scored three goals in the third period byRed Berenson,Terry Gray andJim Roberts, and the Blues won 6–3. In game six,Ab McDonald scored two goals as the Blues eliminated the North Stars by a score of 4–2.
For the third consecutive year, the Blues were swept in the Stanley Cup Finals. This time, they faced theBoston Bruins, who, with stars likeBobby Orr andPhil Esposito, were more than a match for them. The first three games were not close. The Blues managed to force overtime in game four, but Orr scored his famous game-winning goal to end the series.
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