1948 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS - RCAF FLYERS

1948 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
ST. MORITZ, SUI

After a 12-year lapse because of World War II, the Olympics returned in St. Moritz. In some respects, little had changed – Canada won gold – but in other respects a great deal had changed. Because it was too difficult to select one team, and for emotional reasons resonating from the sacrifices millions of Canadians had made during the war, the CAHA decided that a team from the RCAF (augmented by civilian players) would be the most appropriate representatives in St. Moritz. As with our soldiers on the field of battle, our hockey players proved victorious. It was, however, a narrower victory than might have been anticipated. Just when the team seemed set, it suffered its worst news. Goaltender Dick Ball came down with a lung infection which prevented his traveling, and Murray Dowey came in three days before the team sailed. Dowey was heroic, recording five shutouts in eight games and allowing only five goals.