Thursday, August 6, 2026

One Year After His 6 Goal Game, Red Berenson Lit Up The Flyers Again

1969-70 O-Pee-Chee 20 NHL hockey card featuring Red Berenson of the St. Louis Blues.

When hockey fans think of Red Berenson and the Philadelphia Flyers, one game immediately comes to mind: his unforgettable six-goal performance during the 1968-69 season. While that historic night remains one of the greatest individual performances in NHL history, Berenson wasn't finished tormenting Philadelphia.


Highlights:

  • Red Berenson records a hat trick in an 8-0 win over Philadelphia.

  • Scored the first goal in all three periods.

  • Added an assist for a four-point night.

  • Frank St. Marseille contributed five points (2G, 3A).

  • Jacques Plante posted a 23-save shutout.

  • Berenson finished with 12 points in seven games against the Flyers that season.

  • Also assisted on all four Blues goals in a March 1970 victory over Philadelphia


Less than a year later, on November 1, 1969, the St. Louis Blues star delivered another memorable performance against the Flyers. This time it was "only" a hat trick, but it helped power the Blues to a commanding 8-0 victory at St. Louis Arena. Berenson opened the scoring in every period, netting his third, fourth and fifth goals of the young 1969-70 campaign.

The first two goals came on the power play against Bernie Parent. Bobby Clarke was serving a tripping penalty when Berenson converted the game's opening goal, with assists from Frank St. Marseille and Larry Keenan. Later, after Earl Heiskala picked up an extra minor for elbowing following a fight with Ray Fortin, Berenson struck again with the man advantage. His third goal came just 29 seconds into the final period, beating Doug Favell after Parent had been replaced to start the third.

Berenson wasn't done there. He also picked up a first-period assist on one of Larry Keenan's goals to finish with four points. Frank St. Marseille enjoyed an even bigger offensive explosion, recording two goals and three assists for a five-point evening. In goal, veteran Jacques Plante turned aside all 23 Philadelphia shots to earn the shutout as the Blues completely dominated from start to finish.

Philadelphia simply couldn't find an answer for Berenson during the 1969-70 season. In seven games against the Flyers, he totaled five goals and seven assists for 12 points. His most remarkable playmaking performance came on March 12, 1970, when he assisted on all four St. Louis goals in a 4-2 victory. Although he didn't score that night, Berenson still led both teams with six shots on Bernie Parent, once again proving that few players enjoyed facing the Flyers more than Red Berenson during that era.

The Franchise: St. Louis Blues (A Curated History of the Blues) cover

The Franchise: St. Louis Blues (A Curated History of the Blues)

A curated history celebrating the St. Louis Blues — their iconic players, historic moments, and lasting impact on hockey culture.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Dennis Maruk Did Everything He Could In 1986... But The North Stars Fell Short

Dennis Maruk Shines In 1985-86 Playoffs But Can't Help North Stars Out Of 1st Round

Highlights

  • Dennis Maruk became the first Washington Capitals player to score 50 and 60 goals in a season.

  • Despite his offensive success, Maruk played only 34 NHL playoff games during his career.

  • His best postseason performance came with the Minnesota North Stars in the 1985-86 playoffs.

  • Minnesota faced the St. Louis Blues in a tightly contested best-of-five opening-round series.

  • The Blues advanced in five games, but the North Stars actually outscored St. Louis 20-18 in the series.

  • Maruk recorded 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) and contributed to 65% of Minnesota's goals.

  • No other North Stars player recorded more than five points in the series.

  • Maruk recorded at least one point in all five playoff games.

  • His best performance came in Game 2, when he scored twice and added two assists in Minnesota's 6-2 victory.

  • Game 5 marked the final Stanley Cup playoff appearance of Dennis Maruk's NHL career.   

Dennis Maruk is best known for becoming the first player in Washington Capitals history to score both 50 and 60 goals in a season. Despite his offensive brilliance, however, he experienced a career similar to Marcel Dionne's in one respect: limited playoff success. Maruk appeared in just 34 Stanley Cup playoff games during his NHL career.

Nearly half of those postseason games came with the Minnesota North Stars during the 1983-84 playoffs, but his greatest playoff performance arrived two years later in the spring of 1986.

A Closely Contested Norris Division Battle

The North Stars faced the St. Louis Blues in a best-of-five opening-round series after the two Norris Division rivals finished only two points apart in the regular-season standings. The series was every bit as competitive as expected.

Although the Blues won the series in five games, Minnesota actually outscored St. Louis 20-18. Maruk was the driving force behind the North Stars' offense, recording 13 points on four goals and nine assists. He factored into an incredible 65 percent of Minnesota's goals, while no other teammate recorded more than five points.

Maruk's Best Performance

Maruk registered at least one point in all five games, but his finest outing came in Game 2. Minnesota earned a convincing 6-2 victory on home ice to even the series at one game apiece.

He scored twice, added assists on goals by Tony McKegney and Brian Bellows, and finished the night with an outstanding +5 rating.

The Final Playoff Game

The deciding Game 5 ended in a 6-3 victory for the Blues, eliminating the North Stars despite Minnesota's strong offensive showing throughout the series.

Maruk contributed two more assists on goals by Brian Bellows and Ron Wilson in the loss. It would prove to be the final Stanley Cup playoff game of his NHL career, bringing the curtain down on one of the most productive yet often overlooked postseason performances of the 1980s.

Dennis Maruk hockey biography book cover

Dennis Maruk: Hockey Biography

The story of Dennis Maruk — a prolific scorer whose 60-goal season remains one of the great NHL achievements.

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Saturday, July 11, 2026

Richard Brothers Combine for 10 Points as Canadiens Rout Maple Leafs 9-3

The Montreal Canadiens wasted little time reminding the NHL why they were the league's powerhouse during the 1950s. On October 17, 1957, they welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Montreal Forum and handed their Original Six rivals a decisive 9-3 defeat. The night's biggest story belonged to brothers Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Henri "Pocket Rocket" Richard, who combined for an incredible 10 points while accounting for five of Montreal's nine goals.


Highlights

  • Maurice and Henri Richard combined for 10 points against Toronto.

  • Henri Richard recorded a hat trick and three assists for a six-point game.

  • Maurice Richard finished with two goals and two assists.

  • The Richard brothers scored five of Montreal's nine goals.

  • Dickie Moore and Doug Harvey each added three-point performances.

  • Claude Provost scored the game-winning goal in the second period.

  • Toronto fell to 0-3 before rebounding with a 7-0 win over Boston two nights later.


Henri Richard led the offensive explosion with one of the finest games of his career. The Pocket Rocket scored a hat trick and added three assists for a remarkable six-point performance. Two of those assists came on goals by his older brother Maurice, while another set up Jean-Guy Talbot. Maurice answered with two goals and two assists, helping set up Henri's first goal and a tally by Dickie Moore to finish with four points. After just five games of the 1957-58 season, both Richard brothers had already scored six goals.

The Canadiens received plenty of support throughout the lineup. Dickie Moore and Hall of Fame defenseman Doug Harvey each chipped in three-point nights, while Claude Provost scored what proved to be the game-winning goal midway through the second period. Provost beat Toronto goaltender Ed Chadwick at 10:25 of the middle frame, with assists from Phil Goyette and Harvey, giving Montreal a 4-3 lead before the Canadiens pulled away with five unanswered goals.

For Toronto, the loss dropped the club to 0-3 to begin the 1957-58 campaign. Fortunately for the Maple Leafs, the rough start didn't last much longer. Just two nights later, they welcomed the unbeaten Boston Bruins to Maple Leaf Gardens and responded in emphatic fashion with a stunning 7-0 victory. Ed Chadwick earned the shutout, while Brian Cullen and Billy Harris each recorded hat tricks to give Toronto its first win of the season in memorable style.

The October 17 showdown remains one of the greatest family performances in Montreal Canadiens history. Few sibling duos have ever dominated an NHL game the way Maurice and Henri Richard did, combining skill, scoring touch and playmaking brilliance to overwhelm one of hockey's fiercest rivals.

Henri Richard: La légende aux 11 Coupes Stanley cover

Henri Richard: La légende aux 11 Coupes Stanley

L’histoire autorisée du légendaire numéro 16 du Canadien de Montréal, racontée par son fils Denis Richard, retraçant sa carrière, ses 11 Coupes Stanley et les moments marquants de la vie du « Pocket Rocket ». :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

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