FORUM MEMORIES DO NOT COME CHEAP

     One night after the Canadiens played their final game at the
fabled Forum, the facility was turned over to sports memorabilia
collectors who spent over $300,000 bidding on Forum fixtures,
according to today's Montreal GAZETTE.  Approximately 1,000 fans
paid $35 each to bid on items ranging from championship banners
to penalty-box benches.  An equal number shelled out $5 just to
watch.  All proceeds will go to the United Way and a fund for
retired Habs players.  Samples:  C$31,000 for the '23-'24 Stanley
Cup Championship banner; C$20,000 for the nets from Monday's
game; C$3,400 for lockers used by current players; $1,800 for a
turnstile; and C$7,500 for the puck used to score the final Forum
goal (Peggy Curran, Montreal GAZETTE, 3/13).  The Hamilton
SPECTATOR reports one of the building's hot-dog grills sold for
C$1,000 (Hamilton SPECTATOR, 3/13).