Synopsis for
Slap Shot (1977) More at IMDbPro »

Reg Dunlop (Paul Newman) is an aging player/coach for minor-league hockey team the Charleston Chiefs. His team is dead last in the Federal League, his players mostly a bunch of losers who dream of landing a job at an auto plant when their career is over. The lone quality player is Ned Braden (Michael Ontkean), who is not only the highest-scorer in the Federal League, but a Princeton grad who plays for the love of the game. Through the machinations of penny-pinching team Manager Joe McGrath (Strother Martin), three new players are obtained from the Iron League -- the Hanson Brothers (Jeff & Steve Carlson, David Hanson).

Coach Dunlop is less than impressed with the new acquisitions, and at first refuses to play them. They appear to have a mean streak; wrapping their knuckles with aluminum foil and tape prior to every game (for use when fighting). Finally, desperate to win, Dunlop releases the new players on the rival team. The Hansons immediately assault and brutalize the opposition, much to the delight of Charleston's working-class fans. The other players soon take their cue and become "goons," fighting as much as actually playing hockey. It all becomes a kind of orgy of violence -- repellent to the talented Ned Braden -- but winning games nonetheless. The Chiefs begin making money, filling the stands, and things are looking up at last.

Unfortunately, Coach Dunlop is faced with the realities of his situation. He doesn't actually know who owns the team, and there are rumors that it will fold. He does what he can to fool the media and his players, but ultimately confronts McGrath and finds out that a woman owns the team. He finds her, pleads his case, and is told that her accountants advised her to shut down the Chiefs for tax purposes. After a climactic final game (in which all the heavies and goons the opposing team could lure from retirement are arrayed against them) the Chiefs win the Federal League and receive a heroes' welcome back in Charleston. Dunlop is pleased to find out that the NHL's Minnesota Nighthawks want to hire him as their coach, and that several key Chief's players will be part of the bargain.