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.

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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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Anders Hedberg’s 4-Goal Night Powers Wild Rangers Comeback

The Detroit Red Wings of the 1970s and early 1980s had an unfortunate knack for finding ways to lose games that appeared to be theirs. On October 26, 1980, at Madison Square Garden, that tendency was on full display. Detroit held a 6-5 lead with just 1:14 remaining, only to watch Anders Hedberg take over and lead the New York Rangers to a stunning 7-6 victory.

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Highlights

• October 26, 1980 at Madison Square Garden

• New York Rangers defeated Detroit 7-6

• Anders Hedberg recorded 4 goals and 2 assists

• Detroit led 6-5 with only 1:14 remaining

• Hedberg tied the game at 18:46 of the third

• He scored the winner just 33 seconds later

• Reed Larson and Mike Blaisdell scored seven seconds apart for Detroit

• Hedberg led all players with 7 shots on goal

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Hedberg opened the scoring just 4:50 into the first period, beating Detroit goaltender Gilles Gilbert on the power play for his third goal of the season. Ulf Nilsson and Rangers goalie John Davidson picked up the assists. Later in the period, Hedberg added an assist on a Steve Vickers goal as New York and Detroit settled into what would become a high-scoring battle.

The second period featured a remarkable burst from the Red Wings. Reed Larson and Mike Blaisdell scored just seven seconds apart, nearly matching a Detroit franchise record. The Rangers battled back, however, with Mike Allison scoring with an assist from Hedberg before Hedberg added another goal of his own. By the end of the second, the teams were deadlocked at 4-4.

Detroit struck quickly again to open the third. George Lyle scored just 58 seconds into the period, and Mike Foligno followed only 55 seconds later to give the Red Wings a 6-4 advantage. Ron Greschner cut the lead to one at 11:45, but as the clock wound down, it appeared Detroit was finally going to escape Madison Square Garden with a 6-5 victory.

Then Hedberg took over. With just 1:14 remaining, he scored the tying goal with assists from Phil Esposito and Tom Laidlaw. Only 33 seconds later, Hedberg struck again, this time unassisted, completing the Rangers' remarkable comeback and giving New York a 7-6 lead. In the span of 33 seconds, Detroit went from being on the verge of victory to trailing for good.

Hedberg finished the night with four goals and two assists for six points, while leading all skaters with seven of New York's 37 shots on Gilles Gilbert. At the other end, John Davidson allowed six goals on 30 shots but still walked away with the victory. It was a wild night at Madison Square Garden and one of the biggest offensive performances of Hedberg's NHL career.

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A collection of the greatest Rangers stories ever told — insider tales featuring legends past and present.

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Borje Salming’s Lone Hat Trick Comes in Wild Leafs-Blackhawks Game

Borje Salming was one of the NHL’s most productive defensemen, but most of his offense came from setting up his teammates. Of his 787 career regular-season points, 637 came on assists. On October 10, 1981, however, Salming became the finisher, recording the only hat trick of his NHL career in a wild night at Maple Leaf Gardens.

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Highlights

• October 10, 1981 at Maple Leaf Gardens

• Toronto defeated Chicago 9-8

• The teams combined for 17 goals

• Salming recorded 3 goals and 1 assist

• It was the only hat trick of his NHL career

• Bob Manno and John Anderson each had 5 points

• Chicago’s Grant Mulvey also scored a hat trick

• Denis Savard recorded 4 assists

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The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks combined for an incredible 17 goals, with Toronto coming away with a 9-8 victory. Salming finished with three goals and an assist for four points, yet that still wasn’t enough to lead the Leafs in scoring. John Anderson and defenseman Bob Manno each recorded five-point games.

Salming wasted almost no time getting started. Just 27 seconds after the opening faceoff, he scored his first goal of the 1981-82 season, beating Chicago goaltender Tony Esposito with Manno picking up the assist. Salming added his second point at 16:32 of the second period when he assisted on a Manno goal. It was the eighth of an astonishing nine goals scored by the two teams during the middle frame.

The Swedish defenseman struck even quicker to begin the third. Just 23 seconds into the period, Salming scored his second goal of the game with assists going to Rocky Saganiuk and Laurie Boschman. At 7:08, he completed the only hat trick of his NHL career, scoring with help from Manno and Ron Zanussi.

There was plenty of offense on the Chicago side as well. Grant Mulvey recorded a hat trick of his own, while Denis Savard collected four assists. The goaltending numbers reflected the frantic nature of the game: Esposito stopped 33 of 42 Toronto shots, while Leafs goalie Vincent Tremblay allowed eight goals on 28 shots.

For a Hall of Fame defenseman remembered as much for his passing and toughness as his scoring ability, October 10, 1981 was a rare night when Salming did the damage himself. Three of his 150 career NHL goals came in one remarkable game, the only hat trick of Borje Salming’s NHL career.

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A compelling look at the life and legacy of Borje Salming — one of hockey’s most respected trailblazers and legendary defensemen.

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