Gordie Howe Dominates: Involved in All 5 Red Wings Goals in 1953 Win

Few players in NHL history have ever controlled a game quite like Gordie Howe did during the 1952-53 season. While his career would stretch into four decades, it was that remarkable year when “Mr. Hockey” reached his offensive peak, finishing with 49 goals, just one shy of joining Maurice Richard and Bernie Geoffrion as the only 50-goal scorers in NHL history at the time. Howe still led the league and captured both the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy.

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Highlights

• Gordie Howe recorded 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists)

• Involved in all 5 Detroit Red Wings goals

• Multiple points on a single power play

• Game played February 1, 1953

• Red Wings defeated Maple Leafs 5–1

• Part of Howe’s 49-goal MVP season   

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One unforgettable performance came on February 1, 1953, at Detroit Olympia, when the Detroit Red Wings faced the Toronto Maple Leafs. Detroit cruised to a 5-1 victory, but the real story was Howe’s complete dominance. He played a role in every single Red Wings goal.

Howe opened the scoring at 5:24 of the first period, netting his 36th goal of the season against goaltender Harry Lumley, with assists from Red Kelly and Jim Hay. Just 45 seconds later, Howe turned playmaker, setting up Alex Delvecchio for what would stand as the game-winning goal.

Remarkably, both goals came on the same power play, with Tim Horton serving a penalty. In that era, penalties were served in full regardless of goals scored, allowing Howe and the Red Wings to fully capitalize. Before the advantage expired, Howe assisted again, this time on a goal by Marcel Pronovost, giving Detroit a commanding 3-0 lead.

The second period brought more of the same brilliance. Howe scored another power-play goal, assisted by Kelly and Ted Lindsay, extending the lead to 4-1. Less than a minute later, he added his third assist of the night, helping Delvecchio notch his second goal and seal the 5-1 final.

When the dust settled, Howe had recorded five points, two goals and three assists, while factoring into every Detroit tally. It was a performance that perfectly captured why he remains one of hockey’s greatest icons: skill, vision, and complete control of the game in every situation.

Mr. Hockey: The Autobiography of Gordie Howe

The definitive autobiography of Gordie Howe, one of hockey’s greatest players and a true legend of the game.

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Gilbert Perreault’s 7-Point Explosion Still Stands as a Buffalo Sabres Record

On February 1, 1976, Gilbert Perreault delivered one of the most electrifying performances in Buffalo Sabres history, one that still hasn’t been matched. In a high-scoring showdown against the California Golden Seals, Perreault piled up an incredible seven points, setting a franchise record that remains untouched decades later.

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Highlights

• Gilbert Perreault records 7 points in one game (Sabres franchise record)

• Performance came in a 9-5 win over the California Golden Seals

• Danny Gare scores a hat trick (10 shots on goal)

• Rene Robert contributes 5 points in the same game

• Perreault records 2 goals and 5 assists

• All Sabres goals scored against Gary Simmons

• Game featured 14 total goals between both teams

• Part of Perreault’s 113-point career season in 1975-76

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The game, played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, ended in a wild 9-5 Sabres victory. While teammates Danny Gare (hat trick) and Rene Robert (five points) had standout nights of their own, they were ultimately overshadowed by Perreault’s dominant performance.

Buffalo got on the board early with Robert scoring the lone goal of the first period, assisted by Perreault and Jocelyn Guevremont. The second period saw the offense erupt, with the Sabres netting four goals. Perreault contributed with assists on goals by Gare and Jacques Richard, helping Buffalo seize control of the game.

The third period belonged entirely to Perreault. He assisted on two more Gare goals, including one with just four seconds left, while also scoring twice himself, bringing his season totals to 28 and 29 goals. All nine Sabres goals came against goaltender Gary Simmons, who faced relentless pressure throughout the night.

Perreault’s seven-point outing stands as the pinnacle of a remarkable career that included multiple six-point games. During the 1975-76 season, he posted a career-best 44 goals and 113 points. Surprisingly, despite such dominance, he finished tied for just seventh in Hart Trophy voting alongside Pete Mahovlich of the Montreal Canadiens.

"Then Perreault Said to Rico…": The Best Buffalo Sabres Stories Ever Told

A collection of the greatest Buffalo Sabres tales — from unforgettable moments to iconic personalities in franchise history.

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Johnny Bucyk and Bob Perreault Spark Bruins Upset Over Canadiens in 1962-63 Opener

The gap between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins couldn’t have been wider heading into the 1962-63 NHL season. Montreal had just finished atop the standings with 42 wins and 98 points in 1961-62, while Boston languished in last place with only 15 victories. On paper, the season opener looked like a mismatch. On the ice, it told a very different story.

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Highlights

• Bruins stunned Canadiens 5-0 in 1962-63 season opener

• Johnny Bucyk scored twice and added an assist

• Bucyk’s opening goal came just 4:23 into the first period

• Doug Mohns recorded 2 goals and 1 assist

• Bob Perreault made 28 saves for a shutout in his 10th NHL game

• Game played at Boston Garden on October 11, 1962

• Bruins won just 1 of their first 17 games after opener

• Boston finished season with only 14 wins despite hot start

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On October 11, 1962, at Boston Garden, the Bruins stunned the hockey world with a dominant 5-0 victory. Johnny Bucyk wasted no time setting the tone, scoring the game-winning goal just 4:23 into the first period against legendary goaltender Jacques Plante. Bucyk added another goal later in the game and chipped in an assist, finishing with a three-point performance that energized the home crowd.

Boston’s offensive push didn’t stop there. Doug Mohns delivered a standout performance of his own, recording two goals and an assist. Contributions from players like Wayne Connelly and Murray Oliver helped round out a relentless Bruins attack that overwhelmed Montreal from start to finish.

In goal, Bob Perreault authored one of the most surprising performances of the night. Appearing in just his tenth NHL game, and his first since the 1958-59 season, Perreault turned aside all 28 shots he faced to secure the shutout. Though his NHL career was brief, he built a remarkable legacy in the minors, capturing four Calder Cup championships in the AHL and another title with the San Francisco Seals in the WHL.

As memorable as the victory was, it proved to be a rare bright spot for Boston that season. The Bruins would go on to win just one of their first 17 games and finished the 1962-63 campaign with only 14 victories, one fewer than the previous year. Against Montreal, Boston managed just two wins in 14 meetings, including a narrow 2-1 triumph on Valentine’s Day, underscoring how fleeting that opening-night magic truly was.

Boston Bruins: Greatest Moments and Players

A celebration of the iconic history of the Boston Bruins — from legendary players to unforgettable moments.

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