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

Blair MacDonald Delivers First NHL Hat Trick in Edmonton Oilers History

When the Edmonton Oilers skated into their fourth-ever NHL game on October 19, 1979, they walked out of Northlands Coliseum with not just a victory but a milestone. Blair MacDonald recorded the first hat trick in the franchise’s NHL history, powering the Oilers to a 6-3 win over the Quebec Nordiques. The performance also marked the Oilers’ first NHL win, cementing MacDonald’s place in the team’s earliest big moments.

The Oilers carried a 2-1 lead after the opening period, and MacDonald wasted no time widening the gap. Early in the second, he struck twice, his 3rd and 4th goals of the 1979-80 season. Doug Hicks and a teenage Wayne Gretzky set up the first, while Al Hamilton and Brett Callighen assisted on the second, which would stand as the game-winner. Both goals beat Quebec goaltender Michel Dion.

MacDonald capped the night with his third goal in the final minute of play, again assisted by Gretzky. He also added an assist of his own on a Callighen tally, finishing with four points and a team-leading six shots. On the Nordiques' side, Marc Tardif paced all skaters with seven shots, scoring twice on Eddie Mio and helping set up a Serge Bernier goal.

The 1979–80 season would be MacDonald’s finest NHL campaign. His four hat tricks tied him with Marcel Dionne for the league lead, and his 46 goals ranked second on the Oilers behind Gretzky’s 51. But his time in Edmonton was short-lived, MacDonald was traded to Vancouver midway through the 1980–81 season in a deal involving Lars-Gunnar Pettersson, Ken Berry, and Garry Lariviere.

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About Blair MacDonald

Blair MacDonald carved out a reputation as a natural goal scorer long before he made his NHL mark. Born in Cornwall, Ontario, he became a prolific junior forward with the Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL, posting standout offensive totals that propelled him into the professional spotlight. His scoring touch earned him early attention from the World Hockey Association, where he would take his first major step as a pro.

MacDonald joined the Edmonton Oilers during their WHA days and quickly proved he could generate offense at the major-league level. His best WHA season came in 1977-78, when he recorded 34 goals and 64 points in just 60 games, a performance that solidified him as one of the team’s most reliable finishers. Skating alongside young talents like Wayne Gretzky during the Oilers’ final WHA season, MacDonald was part of the transition core that bridged the franchise’s move into the NHL.

After leaving Edmonton, MacDonald spent time with the Vancouver Canucks, contributing secondary scoring and veteran presence through the early 1980s. Although his NHL role diminished compared to his peak years, he remained an intelligent shooter with strong positional instincts. His pro career later included stops in the minor leagues, where he continued to produce offense and mentor developing players.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Blair MacDonald

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

1. Blair MacDonald recorded the first NHL hat trick in Edmonton Oilers history during which season?

1980–81
1979–80
1978–79
1981–82

2. How many hat tricks did Blair MacDonald score in the NHL during his career?

2
4
6
1

3. Before joining the NHL Oilers, Blair MacDonald was a standout scorer in which league?

AHL
WHA
CHL
IHL

4. Blair MacDonald scored 46 goals in 1979–80, finishing second on the Oilers behind which teammate?

Mark Messier
Wayne Gretzky
Brett Callighen
Stan Weir

5. MacDonald was traded by the Oilers during the 1980–81 season. Which team acquired him?

Vancouver Canucks
Winnipeg Jets
Quebec Nordiques
Hartford Whalers