Guy Chouinard’s 6-Assist Night Fuels 11-4 Calgary Flames Explosion

On February 25, 1981, the Calgary Flames welcomed the New York Islanders to the historic Stampede Corral for a showdown between two strong clubs. The Islanders held a 12-point edge in the standings, but what unfolded that night had little to do with pre-game expectations.

In their first season after relocating from Atlanta, the Flames were still establishing franchise benchmarks. Guy Chouinard set one in spectacular fashion, recording six assists, a single-game franchise record that still stands (later matched by Gary Suter in 1986). Chouinard set up goals by Bob MacMillan (2), Paul Reinhart, Kent Nilsson, Eric Vail, and Don Lever in a dazzling display of playmaking.

The Islanders led 4-3 after the opening period, but Calgary erupted thereafter. The Flames scored eight unanswered goals against goaltender Glenn Resch, transforming a tight contest into a stunning 11-4 rout. At the time, the eleven goals established a franchise scoring record, later surpassed in a 13-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in 1993.

Kent Nilsson delivered a five-point performance with a hat trick and two assists, while MacMillan added a pair of goals and a helper. Ken Houston rounded out the fireworks with a classic Gordie Howe HatTrick: a goal, an assist, and a first-period fight with Clark Gillies.

The Battle of Alberta: The Historic Rivalry Between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames

A deep dive into one of hockey’s most intense rivalries — the Edmonton Oilers vs. the Calgary Flames, featuring unforgettable games, personalities, and playoff clashes.

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7-7 Chaos: Sabres and Canadiens Combine for 10 First-Period Goals

On October 26, 1982, fans at the Montreal Forum were treated to one of the wildest first periods in NHL history. The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres combined for 10 goals in the opening 20 minutes and remarkably, all 10 came from different players.

Buffalo exploded out of the gate, building a 3-0 lead by the 5:25 mark, including two goals just 25 seconds apart. Montreal answered with three of their own midway through the frame, and by the time the period ended, both clubs had added two more goals each. Canadiens starter Rick Wamsley was lifted after allowing five goals on eight shots, replaced by Richard Sevigny.

The second period belonged to newly acquired forward Ryan Walter. Picked up in a September 1982 trade from the Washington Capitals, Walter scored twice, both assisted by Guy Lafleur, to give Montreal a 7-5 lead. He added an earlier assist to finish with the game’s only three-point performance.

But the Sabres weren’t finished. Third-period goals by Ric Seiling and Gilles Hamel evened the score at 7-7, where it would stay. In a night overflowing with offense, Walter stood alone with three points, while a long list of players on both sides recorded multi-point efforts in one of the most chaotic ties of the early 1980s.

"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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Dave Keon’s Game 7 Hat Trick Sends Leafs Past Canadiens In 1964 Classic

When the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens collided in the 1964 Stanley Cup semifinal, it was more than just another chapter in hockey’s fiercest rivalry. Montreal had finished seven points ahead in the regular season standings and never trailed in the series heading into Game 7. The odds and momentum, seemed firmly on the Canadiens’ side. But, champions have a way of seizing their moment.

On April 9, 1964, inside the storied Montreal Forum, Dave Keon decided he wasn’t ready to let Toronto’s reign end. Just 8:22 into the first period, Keon struck for his first goal of the series, beating goaltender Charlie Hodge with assists from Don McKenney and Bob Baun.

Minutes later, with Andy Bathgate serving a hooking penalty, Keon struck again, this time shorthanded, finishing a setup from captain George Armstrong. The Leafs suddenly held a 2-0 lead, and the game-winning goal was already on the board.

Montreal pushed back in the third when Ralph Backstrom finally solved Toronto netminder Johnny Bower at 7:27. But that was as close as the Canadiens would get. With just eleven seconds remaining, Keon completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal, silencing the Forum crowd and sending the Leafs to the Final.

Lost slightly in the glow of Keon’s heroics was Bower’s brilliance. The veteran goaltender turned aside 38 of 39 shots in one of his finest postseason performances. Toronto would need every ounce of that resilience moving forward.

The Stanley Cup Final against the Detroit Red Wings went the full seven games as well. Down three games to two, the Leafs survived Game 6 thanks to an overtime goal from Bob Baun. playing on a broken leg, before ultimately securing their third straight championship.

Keon and Me: My Search For The Lost Soul Of The Leafs

A heartfelt journey through the legacy of Dave Keon and the soul of the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise.

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