Saturday, March 19, 2016

Bobby Orr 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee 30

The 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee number 30 hockey card belongs to Bobby Orr. This is Orr's only card in the set, a rarity. The front has his image with the All-Star crest with it noted that he was a 1972-73 NHL East All-Star. Interestingly, the card shows Bobby at 185 lbs, down ten pounds from what was stated on his 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee hockey card.

On the back of 1973-74 OPC #30, it notes that 'Bobby married a school teacher this past summer.' In fact, he was engaged to Peggy Wood, a speech therapist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the time, on December 25, 1972. The two were indeed married in September, 1973 in Parry Sound, Ontario.
 
 

Bobby Orr 1972-73


A bit of an off season, as far as Bobby Orr goes. He appeared in just 63 regular season games but still managed 101 points on 29 goals and 72 assists. He finished second in the NHL for assists, three behind teammate Phil Esposito and five ahead of Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers. Orr finished third in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, 29 points behind Esposito, three behind Clarke and one points ahead of Clarke's Philadelphia teammate Rick MacLeish.


Bobby came away with just the Norris Trophy in 1972-73. The Bruins were feeling the effects of Gerry Cheevers exodus to the World Hockey Association. Boston managed a second place finish in the 14 team National Hockey League, behind just the Montreal Canadiens. Tom Johnson was replaced by Bep Guidolin midseason as head coach.

Boston met up with the New York Rangers in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It did not go as planned with the Bruins falling to the Rangers in five games. Boston was outscored by New York 22-11 on the series. Orr had a subpar playoff round with just two points over the five games.

As per the back of the Bobby Orr 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee hockey card:

Winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman for six straight seasons, an all-time record, bobby is destined to be one of the game's greatest players. He is tremendously popular with young fans.


Bobby Orr 1973-74

 
 

1973-74 was a bounce back season for both Orr and the Bruins. Over 74 games, he scored 32 and assisted on 90 for 122 points. Once again, Bobby was limited to the Norris Trophy when it came to accolades. He led the NHL in assists and was second in overall scoring, behind Esposito's 145 point performance.

Boston finished first overall during the regular season. In the playoffs, the Bruins reached the Stanley Cup finals before falling in six games to the Philadelphia Flyers. Over 16 playoff games, Orr scored four and assisted on 14 for 18 points.


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