however, in 1949 tragedy struck the team when hornets star goaltender baz bastien lost his right eye after being hit by a puck in the preseason. he would later become the coach and general manager. the next year bastien's replacement, gil mayer, went on to win the harry "hap" holmes memorial award. the hornets again made it to the calder cup finals in 1951 but lost in game 7 to the cleveland barons. despite the loss, forward bob solinger was named mvp of playoffs with ten goals and six assists.