Yvan Cournoyer Erupts for Five Goals as Canadiens Torch Blackhawks in 1975

More than six years passed after Red Berenson’s six-goal night in 1968 before another NHL player reached the five-goal mark in a game. On February 15, 1975, Yvan Cournoyer finally ended that drought in unforgettable fashion at the Montreal Forum.

The Canadiens overwhelmed the Chicago Blackhawks 12-3, with Cournoyer delivering one of the finest offensive performances of his career. His first goal didn’t come until 8:17 of the second period, when he scored Montreal’s fourth goal of the night unassisted on Mike Veisor. From there, the floodgates opened.

Cournoyer piled up seven points in total, scoring five goals and adding two assists. Three of his five goals came on the power play during the third period, as Montreal completely dismantled Chicago’s penalty kill. His assists came on goals by Jacques Lemaire and Doug Risebrough, rounding out a dominant all-around effort.

The 12-goal explosion marked the first time since 1954 that the Canadiens scored a dozen goals against Chicago. Montreal’s franchise and NHL record of 16 goals in a game still dated back to a 1920 victory over the Quebec Bulldogs.

Adding to the night’s rarity, two Canadiens recorded Gordie Howe Hat Tricks. Larry Robinson finished with a goal and two assists while dropping the gloves with Grant Mulvey in the second period. Doug Risebrough also recorded a goal, an assist, and a fight, squaring off with Darcy Rota.

Despite his five-goal outburst, Cournoyer’s 1974-75 season actually saw a dip in goal production. He finished with 29 goals, eleven fewer than the previous year despite playing nine additional games. Even so, he maintained a remarkable streak of scoring at least 24 goals in 12 consecutive seasons from 1966-67 through 1977-78.

Cournoyer’s career-best season came in 1971-72, when he scored 47 goals, finishing fourth in the NHL. Nights like this one in 1975 served as a reminder of just how explosive the speedy right winger could be when everything clicked.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Yvan Cournoyer

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

1. Which NHL team did Yvan Cournoyer spend his entire career with?

Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks
New York Rangers

2. What nickname was Yvan Cournoyer best known by during his career?

The Rocket
The Pocket Rocket
The Roadrunner
Le Magnifique

3. In which NHL season did Cournoyer score a career-high 47 goals?

1969–70
1971–72
1973–74
1975–76

4. How many Stanley Cups did Yvan Cournoyer win with the Canadiens?

10
6
8
5

5. What honor did Cournoyer receive shortly after retiring from the NHL?

Canadiens captaincy
NHL scoring title
Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Olympic gold medal

Bob Probert Stays Out of the Box and Records Lone Career Hat Trick on New Year’s Eve 1987

A New Year’s resolution to play a clean, high-scoring style? That was never really Bob Probert’s reputation. Still, during the 1987-88 season, Probert was delivering offense at a remarkable pace. Skating alongside Steve Yzerman, Probert finished the year with 29 goals, 62 points, and an eye-popping 398 penalty minutes, a statistical combination rarely seen in NHL history.

On December 31, 1987, Probert’s scoring touch took center stage. The St. Louis Blues were in town to face the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, and Probert turned in the only hat trick of his NHL career, powering Detroit to a convincing 7-2 victory.

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Probert also set up a Steve Yzerman goal midway through the first period that put Detroit ahead 3-0. That tally would stand as the game-winner, capping a dominant opening stretch for the Red Wings on New Year’s Eve.

Despite the physical tone of the contest, Probert managed to stay out of the penalty box entirely, no small feat in a game that featured three fights involving Detroit teammates Lee Norwood, Doug Halward, and Darren Veitch. By night’s end, officials had handed out a total of 89 penalty minutes.

Probert was flawless offensively, scoring three goals on just three shots against Blues goaltender Rick Wamsley. Yzerman added a goal of his own on six shots while assisting on three others, finishing with four points. Normal service quickly resumed in Detroit’s next game, though, as Probert racked up 24 penalty minutes in a fight-filled outing against Winnipeg while Yzerman stole the spotlight with a natural hat trick.

About Bob Probert

Between 1985-86 and 2001-02, Bob Probert played 935 regular season and 81 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. The third round pick by the Red Wings at the 1983 NHL Entry Draft sits fifth all-time with 3,300 career penalty minutes.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Bob Probert

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

1. Which NHL team drafted Bob Probert?

Detroit Red Wings
Chicago Blackhawks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Edmonton Oilers

2. What combination best described Bob Probert’s most productive NHL season?

High goal totals and extremely high penalty minutes
Low scoring and strong defensive play
Elite playmaking with minimal physical play
Defensive shutdown role with few offensive chances

3. Which future Hall of Famer was most closely associated with Probert during his early years in Detroit?

Steve Yzerman
Sergei Fedorov
Nicklas Lidström
Brendan Shanahan

4. Bob Probert led the NHL in penalty minutes during which season?

1985-86
1987-88
1990-91
1993-94

5. After leaving Detroit, Bob Probert spent the final seasons of his NHL career with which team?

Chicago Blackhawks
St. Louis Blues
New York Rangers
Winnipeg Jets

Rick Dudley Does All the Damage in Buffalo’s 1974 Shutout Win Over St. Louis

On October 26, 1974, Rick Dudley signaled the start of what would become a career-best NHL season with a dominant performance at the St. Louis Arena. While the Blues focused their defensive attention on Buffalo’s famed French Connection line, it was the trio of Dudley, Peter McNab, and Brian Spencer that delivered all the offense in a 2-0 Sabres victory.

Dudley opened the scoring just over nine minutes into the first period, firing home a power-play goal against St. Louis goaltender John Davidson. McNab and Spencer picked up the assists on the play, which came with Bob Stumpf serving a penalty for elbowing. The goal proved to be the game-winner.

Early in the second period, Dudley struck again. At the 3:13 mark, he buried his second goal of the night, once more set up by McNab and Spencer, to cap the scoring. Those two shots were the only ones to beat Davidson, who turned aside 36 of 38 attempts in a strong but losing effort.

At the other end, Gary Bromley made 21 saves to secure the shutout for Buffalo, marking the first shutout of his NHL career. Dudley’s two-goal night was a snapshot of the offensive impact he would provide all season long.

During the 1974-75 campaign, Dudley posted career highs with 31 goals and 39 assists for 70 points. His standout play earned him Hart Trophy consideration, finishing tied for ninth in voting alongside Bob Nevin of the Los Angeles Kings. Following Buffalo’s run to the Stanley Cup Final that spring, Dudley made the jump to the WHA, where he spent four seasons with the Cincinnati Stingers.

About Rick Dudley

Undrafted, Rick Dudley played 309 regular season and 25 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1972-73 to 1980-81 with the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets. Dudley also played 270 regular season and four playoff games in the WHA between 1975-76 and 1978-79, all with the Cincinnati Stingers.

In 1972-73 with the Cincinnati Swords in the AHL, Rick led the team with 22 points in the playoffs with the team capturing the Calder Trophy championship. His 40 regular season goals tied him for fifth, 12 behind leader Yvon Lambert.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Rick Dudley

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

1. Which NHL team drafted Rick Dudley and launched his professional career?

Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs

2. Rick Dudley recorded his highest NHL point total during which season?

1974–75
1972–73
1976–77
1978–79

3. After Buffalo’s Stanley Cup Final appearance, Dudley jumped to the WHA to play for which team?

Edmonton Oilers
Cincinnati Stingers
Houston Aeros
Quebec Nordiques

4. Which NHL honor did Rick Dudley receive votes for following his breakout 1974–75 season?

Hart Memorial Trophy
Selke Trophy
Lady Byng Trophy
Calder Trophy

5. After retiring as a player, Rick Dudley later served the NHL as a:

Referee only
Television broadcaster only
Coach and general manager
League executive only