Rookie Joe Mullen Sets Blues Record with Rapid-Fire Goals in 1982

Joe Mullen began the 1981-82 season bouncing between the St. Louis Blues and their CHL affiliate in Salt Lake City, but one explosive performance made it clear he belonged in the NHL full-time. On January 5, 1982, the Blues hosted the Minnesota North Stars and Mullen delivered a breakout moment that still stands in franchise history.

With the game tied 1-1 late in the second period, Mullen struck for his first NHL goal at 18:22, beating Minnesota’s Gilles Meloche off a setup from Ed Kea. Eight seconds later, he buried his second, assisted by Brian Sutter and Larry Patey. That lightning-quick pair not only gave St. Louis the lead in an eventual 4-1 win, it also set a Blues record for the fastest two goals by a single player, a mark that still holds today.

The night was filled with rapid scoring overall. Tim Young had tallied for Minnesota at 18:11, meaning the trio of goals happened in just 19 seconds. It wasn’t an NHL record, but it was good enough to rank as the fifth-fastest set of three goals in league history. The all-time mark, also involving Minnesota, came a year later in February 1983, when the Rangers and North Stars combined for three goals in only 15 seconds.

Despite playing just 45 regular-season games in 1981-82, Mullen finished with an impressive 25 goals and 34 assists for 59 points, then added 18 more in ten playoff games. His production was strong enough for an 11th-place finish in Calder Trophy voting, a reminder that with a full season, he may have been a serious contender for Rookie of the Year.

About Joe Mullen

Between 1979-80 and 1996-97, Joe Mullen played 1,062 regular season and 143 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Undrafted, the Blues signed Mullen out of Boston College.

The two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner scored 20 or more goals in eleven seasons, topping six times. His career best came in 1988-89 with the Flames when he scored 51 and totaled 110 points. He tied for fifth in goal scoring with teammate Joe Nieuwendyk, 34 behind leader Mario Lemieux. He was seventh in the race for the Art Ross Trophy.

Mullen was a three time Stanley Cup champion. His first was with Calgary in 1988-89 before winning back-to-back with the Penguins in 1990-91 and 1991-92. A long time assistant coach in the NHL after retiring, Joe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Joe Mullen

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which NHL team did Joe Mullen debut with?

Calgary Flames
St. Louis Blues
Pittsburgh Penguins
Boston Bruins

2. Joe Mullen was one of the NHL’s greatest undrafted success stories. What league did he play in before reaching the NHL?

Central Hockey League (CHL)
World Hockey Association (WHA)
American Hockey League (AHL)
International Hockey League (IHL)

3. How many Stanley Cups did Joe Mullen win during his career?

One
Two
Three
Four

4. Joe Mullen became the first American-born player to reach which major NHL milestone?

500 career goals
1,500 games played
700 assists
1,200 penalty minutes

5. With which team did Joe Mullen win his first Stanley Cup?

St. Louis Blues
Calgary Flames
Pittsburgh Penguins
St. John’s Flames

Bob Nevin’s Hat Trick and Ed Giacomin’s Heroics Lift Rangers Over Blackhawks in 1968

The New York Rangers walked into the roaring cauldron of Chicago Stadium on March 20, 1968, knowing they needed every point they could gather in the final stretch of the season. Chasing the Montreal Canadiens for first place, the Rangers faced a desperate Blackhawks team battling Toronto for the final playoff spot and the atmosphere made sure both teams felt the pressure. But on this night, two Rangers stole the show: captain Bob Nevin and goaltender Ed Giacomin.

Nevin delivered one of his standout performances of the season, recording the second of his five career hat tricks. He opened the scoring midway through the first period, burying his 25th goal of the year behind Dave Dryden with help from Don Marshall. Nevin later returned the favour in the second frame, assisting on Marshall’s tally that gave the Rangers a 3-1 cushion.

Chicago surged back in the third, with Stan Mikita and Doug Mohns striking to tie the game 3-3 in front of a charged home crowd. But with the game on the line, Nevin took command. At 14:27 of the third, he snapped home his second of the night, his 26th of the season, on a setup from Phil Goyette, ultimately standing as the game-winner. He completed the hat trick in the final minutes, sealing a 5-3 New York victory with help from Marshall and Goyette.

While Nevin supplied the offense, Ed Giacomin provided the backbone. The Rangers netminder faced an incredible 51 shots and turned aside all but three. Chicago’s heavy hitters tested him relentlessly, Gilles Marotte fired eight shots, Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita each registered seven, but Giacomin held firm. Mikita’s goal and assist weren’t enough to overcome his brilliance as the Rangers escaped with two crucial points.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: 1967–68 New York Rangers

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which future Hall of Famer led the 1967–68 New York Rangers in scoring?

Jean Ratelle
Rod Gilbert
Phil Goyette
Vic Hadfield

2. The Rangers finished second in the East Division in 1967–68. Which team finished directly ahead of them?

Boston Bruins
Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks

3. New York's goaltending tandem in 1967–68 featured Ed Giacomin and which other goalie?

Gilles Villemure
Don Simmons
Cesar Maniago
Terry Sawchuk

4. Which Rangers defenseman led the team's blueline in points during the 1967–68 season?

Arnie Brown
Harry Howell
Jim Neilson
Bernie Parent

5. The Rangers qualified for the playoffs in 1967–68. Which team eliminated them?

Chicago Blackhawks
Boston Bruins
Montreal Canadiens
St. Louis Blues

Charlie Hodge Makes Early Seals History With First Franchise Shutout

The Oakland Seals’ debut season couldn’t have started on a more optimistic note. Fresh off their 1967 expansion debut, the Seals grabbed wins in each of their first two games, an early spark for a brand-new franchise. And in just the second outing of the 1967-68 campaign, fans were treated to a milestone moment: the first shutout in team history.

Charlie Hodge, the Seals’ marquee pickup at the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft, brought both pedigree and poise to the crease. Selected sixth overall out of Montreal, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner proved he still had game. On October 14, 1967, inside the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Hodge stopped all 20 shots he faced against the Minnesota North Stars, recording his 22nd career shutout and his first in Seals colors. He’d add two more that season before finishing his NHL career with 24.

Oakland wasn’t just airtight defensively, they overwhelmed Minnesota at the other end. Cesare Maniago faced a barrage of 38 shots, allowing six goals in a decisive 6-0 Seals victory. Gerry Ehman opened the scoring on a first-period power play, with Bill Hicke supplying the first of his four assists on the night. Kent Douglas added a standout performance of his own with a goal and two helpers.

Though the Seals’ early-season success didn’t last, they went winless in their next 14 games, this shutout remains a bright, defining moment from the franchise’s earliest days.

About Charlie Hodge

Charlie Hodge played 358 regular season and 16 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1954-55 and 1970-71 with the Montreal Canadiens, Oakland Seals and Vancouver Canucks. He was the sixth player selected overall at the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft by the Seals and the 39th overall at the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft by the Canucks.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Charlie Hodge

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which NHL team did Charlie Hodge win multiple Vezina Trophies with?

Boston Bruins
Oakland Seals
Montreal Canadiens
Minnesota North Stars

2. How many career shutouts did Charlie Hodge finish with?

12
18
24
31

3. In which season did Charlie Hodge appear in 58 games for the Oakland Seals?

1967–68
1968–69
1965–66
1969–70

4. Before joining the Seals, Charlie Hodge primarily backed up which legendary Canadiens goalie?

Lorne Worsley
Jacques Plante
Ken Dryden
Rogie Vachon

5. How many Stanley Cups did Charlie Hodge win with the Montreal Canadiens?

Two
Three
Four
Six