Andre Dupont’s Overtime Goal Eliminates the Maple Leafs in 1975

It wasn't Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber or Rick MacLeish who finished off the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1975 Stanley Cup playoffs. Instead, it was rugged Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Andre "Moose" Dupont who scored the overtime goal that completed the four-game sweep.

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Highlights

• April 19, 1975 — Maple Leaf Gardens

• Philadelphia entered Game 4 leading the series 3-0

• Reggie Leach scored twice for the Flyers

• Ron Ellis scored twice for Toronto

• Regulation ended tied 3-3

• Andre Dupont scored just 1:45 into overtime

• Both of Dupont's goals against Toronto were game winners

• Philadelphia completed the four-game sweep

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On April 19, 1975, the Flyers visited Maple Leaf Gardens holding a commanding 3-0 lead in their quarter-final series. Bernie Parent had shut out Toronto in each of the previous two games, but Game 4 turned into a much different contest. The teams traded goals throughout regulation before heading to overtime tied 3-3.

Flyers and Maple Leafs Battle Through Regulation

Reggie Leach scored both Philadelphia goals in the opening period, while Ron Ellis and Blaine Stoughton answered for Toronto. Bill Barber scored the only goal of the second period to give Philadelphia a 3-2 advantage, but Ellis struck again in the third to tie the game and keep the Maple Leafs' season alive.

That lasted just 1 minute and 45 seconds into overtime. Dupont scored with an assist from Dave Schultz to give Philadelphia the 4-3 victory and complete the series sweep. Gord McRae stopped 29 of 33 shots for Toronto, while Parent turned aside 28 of 31 at the other end.

Moose Dupont Delivers Two Game-Winning Goals

The overtime winner was Dupont's second goal of the series, and both were game winners. He had also scored the decisive goal in Philadelphia's 3-0 Game 2 victory. Dupont would finish the Flyers' 1975 playoff run with just three goals in 17 games, making his two against Toronto particularly memorable.

Bobby Clarke, Tiger Williams and Borje Salming each recorded two assists in Game 4. And, fittingly for a playoff game involving the Broad Street Bullies, there was plenty of physical play. Schultz fought Dave Dunn in the second period, while Orest Kindrachuk and Errol Thompson squared off late in the third.

Another Step Toward Philadelphia's Second Stanley Cup

The victory sent the defending champion Flyers into the next round and moved them another step closer to their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Philadelphia would eventually defeat the Buffalo Sabres in six games in the Stanley Cup Final.

For all the star power on that Flyers roster, it was Moose Dupont who supplied the goal that officially ended Toronto's 1974-75 season.

So You Think You're a Philadelphia Flyers Fan?: Stars, Stats, Records, and Memories for True Diehards

A deep dive into Flyers history filled with stars, records, stats, and unforgettable memories from the ice — perfect for true diehards and history buffs.

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Barry Beck's Only NHL Hat Trick Came in Just His 26th Game

On December 17, 1977, Barry Beck recorded the only hat trick of his NHL career, and it came remarkably early in his rookie season. Playing just his 26th NHL game, the Colorado Rockies defenseman scored three goals and added an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota North Stars at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver.

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Highlights

• December 17, 1977 at McNichols Sports Arena

• Colorado defeated Minnesota 5-1

• Beck scored 3 goals and 1 assist

• It was just his 26th NHL game

• His first goal proved to be the game-winner

• Beck led all players with 7 shots

• Doug Favell stopped 34 of 35 shots

• It remained the only hat trick of Beck's NHL career

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The Rockies had selected Beck second overall at the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft, behind only Dale McCourt. He quickly established himself as one of the league's top rookies and would eventually finish second to New York Islanders star Mike Bossy in voting for the 1977-78 Calder Trophy. On this December night against Minnesota, Beck showed exactly why he was generating so much attention.

Colorado struck just 1:18 into the game when Beck assisted on a goal by Paul Gardner. At 11:26 of the opening period, Beck scored his 12th goal of the season, beating Minnesota goaltender Pete LoPresti. The goal, assisted by John Van Boxmeer and Chuck Arnason, would stand as the game-winner. Beck struck again at 14:37 of the second period, once more with Van Boxmeer and Arnason providing the assists, to give Colorado a commanding 4-0 lead.

Beck completed his hat trick at 3:11 of the third period, giving him four points on the night and extending the Rockies' lead to 5-0. He also led all skaters with seven shots on goal. Colorado goaltender Doug Favell nearly completed the evening with a shutout, stopping 34 of 35 shots. However, Brad Maxwell spoiled the bid with an unassisted goal with just seven seconds remaining.

LoPresti stopped 23 of 28 shots for Minnesota in the loss. The performance would remain unique throughout Beck's NHL career: despite eventually playing 615 regular-season games with the Colorado Rockies, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, December 17, 1977 remained Barry Beck's only NHL hat trick.

Mucking in the Corners: Unearthing the 1970s' Quirkiest Hockey Tales

Dig into the wonderfully strange side of 1970s hockey with a collection of quirky stories, forgotten characters, unusual moments, and offbeat tales from one of the game’s most colorful decades.

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Bill Barber Scores Four as Flyers Beat North Stars in 1980 Playoffs

Bill Barber put together one of the biggest playoff performances of his career on May 4, 1980, scoring four times as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Minnesota North Stars 5-3 at the Met Center. The victory gave Philadelphia a 2-1 lead in their Stanley Cup semifinal series after the teams had split the opening two games.

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Highlights

• May 4, 1980 at the Met Center

• Flyers and North Stars entered Game 3 tied 1-1

• Bill Barber scored twice late in the first period

• Barber completed his hat trick at 6:07 of the second

• Philadelphia built a 4-0 lead

• Minnesota responded with three consecutive goals

• Barber scored his fourth goal shorthanded at 16:34 of the third

• Philadelphia won 5-3 and eventually took the series in five games

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It took more than 15 minutes for the scoring to begin, but Barber quickly changed the complexion of the game. He opened the scoring at 15:15 of the first period with his fourth goal of the playoffs, beating Gilles Meloche on the power play with assists from Behn Wilson and Brian Propp. Less than two minutes later, Barber struck again at even strength. Wilson and Bobby Clarke assisted on the goal at 17:09, sending Philadelphia into the first intermission with a 2-0 advantage.

Mel Bridgman increased the lead just 1:14 into the second period before Barber completed the hat trick at 6:07. Clarke and Reg Leach picked up the assists as Barber's third goal of the night gave Philadelphia what appeared to be a commanding 4-0 lead. Minnesota, however, responded in a hurry. With Curt Giles in the penalty box, Tom Younghans and Tim Young scored back-to-back shorthanded goals. Tom McCarthy then added another, suddenly cutting Philadelphia's lead to 4-3.

The North Stars remained within a goal until the closing minutes. At 15:30 of the third period, Philadelphia's Ken Linseman was sent off for interference, giving Minnesota an opportunity to tie the game. Instead, Barber delivered the knockout blow. At 16:34, he scored his fourth goal of the night while shorthanded, assisted by Andre Dupont, restoring Philadelphia's two-goal advantage.

The Flyers held on for the 5-3 victory, with Barber accounting for four of their five goals. Philadelphia went on to win the next two games and eliminate Minnesota in five, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final. There, the Flyers fell in six games to the New York Islanders, who captured the first of their four consecutive Stanley Cup championships.

So You Think You're a Philadelphia Flyers Fan?: Stars, Stats, Records, and Memories for True Diehards

A deep dive into Flyers history filled with stars, records, stats, and unforgettable memories from the ice — perfect for true diehards and history buffs.

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