Slap Shot

Slap Shot. 1977 Universal Pictures.
Starring: Paul Newman, Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse
The Hanson Brothers: Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, Dave Hanson
Director: George Roy Hill
Buy Slap Shot at Amazon.

A hockey franchise called the Charlestown Chiefs are in trouble. The town is in trouble, thanks to mill closings, and the Chiefs are slated to be folded at the end of the season. Reggie Dunlop (Newman) is the player-coach of this bunch of losers, and he unknowingly picks up the people who will end up saving the team, and the season. The Hansons are violent goons on the ice that aren't especially bright. Dunlop keeps them on the bench until one desperate moment in a game, and the brothers end up stealing the show, giving the Charlestown fans something to cheer about.

Dunlop keeps his team motivated by lying about a prospective buyer interested in buying the Chiefs and moving them to Florida, and he ends up meeting the owner of the team, who is content to let the team fold at season's end, taking the tax write-off.

Things come to a head during the final playoff game against a team from Syracuse. Will the Chiefs' newfound penchant for violent play ultimately be their downfall?

Definitely the greatest movie about hockey ever made. Recommended.