Ivan Boldirev Scores Four as Golden Seals Outlast Blues 8-6

The California Golden Seals didn’t have many nights to celebrate in 1973-74, but Ivan Boldirev gave them one on January 9. Hosting the St. Louis Blues at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Boldirev scored four goals in an 8-6 victory. He accounted for half of California’s offence as the Seals earned just their ninth win in 40 games.

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Highlights

• California defeated St. Louis 8-6 on January 9, 1974.

• Ivan Boldirev scored four goals, including the game winner.

• The Seals erased a 4-2 deficit with four unanswered second-period goals.

• Boldirev’s fourth goal was his 14th of the season.

• Rick Kessell sealed the win with an empty-net goal with four seconds remaining.

• Reggie Leach added a goal and an assist.

• California earned its ninth victory in 40 games and finished the season with just 13 wins.

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A Bright Spot in a Difficult Season

California finished the season with a miserable 13-55-10 record and 36 points, placing last in the NHL and 20 points behind the next closest team. The struggles were reflected in the players’ numbers, with Reggie Leach finishing at minus-62 and Boldirev at minus-53. On this particular night, however, the Seals had enough scoring power to overcome their defensive troubles.

Boldirev’s first goal came late in the opening period, pulling California into a 2-2 tie. Floyd Thomson quickly restored the Blues’ lead, then scored again early in the second period to put St. Louis ahead 4-2. For a team accustomed to losing, the Seals appeared headed toward another disappointing result.

Four Unanswered Goals Turn the Game Around

Instead, California responded with four unanswered goals before the second intermission. Boldirev scored twice during the surge, completing his hat trick and helping the Seals turn a two-goal deficit into a 6-4 lead. He struck again at 11:36 of the third period, scoring his fourth of the night and 14th of the season. That goal made it 7-4 and ultimately stood as the game winner.

St. Louis refused to go quietly. The Blues scored twice, cutting California’s lead to 7-6 with 34 seconds remaining. Rick Kessell finally settled matters with an empty-net goal at 19:56. His first goal of the season secured an unusually productive night for the Seals and an 8-6 victory.

Boldirev and Leach Were Soon Moving On

Boldirev led California with eight shots on goal, while Leach recorded seven shots and contributed a goal and an assist. Both would be wearing different uniforms by the start of 1974-75: Boldirev moved to the Chicago Blackhawks, while Leach joined the Philadelphia Flyers. For one January evening in Oakland, though, they helped give Golden Seals fans a welcome break from a difficult season.

The California Golden Seals: A Tale of White Skates, Red Ink, and One of the NHL's Most Outlandish Teams

Discover the fascinating and unconventional story of the California Golden Seals — one of the NHL’s most memorable and unusual franchises.

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February 6, 1986: Andreychuk Makes Buffalo Sabres History

The Boston Bruins scored six goals at Boston Garden on February 6, 1986 and still couldn’t keep pace with the Buffalo Sabres. Dave Andreychuk supplied five goals and an assist in Buffalo’s 8-6 victory, becoming the first player in franchise history to score five times in a single game.

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Highlights

• Buffalo defeated Boston 8-6 at Boston Garden on February 6, 1986.

• Dave Andreychuk became the first Sabre to score five goals in a game.

• All five goals came against Doug Keans in the first two periods.

• His fifth goal, at 17:15 of the second period, was the game winner.

• An assist on Normand Lacombe’s goal gave Andreychuk six points.

• Tom Barrasso made 38 saves as Boston outshot Buffalo 44-21.

• Tage Thompson matched Andreychuk’s five-goal record on December 7, 2022.

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Buffalo Strikes Early at Boston Garden

Mike Foligno opened the scoring just 37 seconds into the game. Andreychuk then added two consecutive goals, giving Buffalo a 3-0 lead by 14:30 of the first period. Boston answered with two quick goals before the intermission, trimming the Sabres’ advantage to 3-2 and setting the stage for another busy period.

Three More Goals in the Second Period

Andreychuk completed his hat trick at 4:40 of the second, but his night was far from finished. He scored three times in the period, beating Bruins goaltender Doug Keans for all five of his goals through 40 minutes. His fifth, scored at 17:15, was his 24th of the 1985-86 season. It gave Buffalo a 7-4 lead and ultimately stood as the game-winning goal.

Boston coach Butch Goring replaced Keans with Pat Riggin for the third period after Keans surrendered seven goals on 17 shots. Riggin faced only four shots in relief, allowing Buffalo’s final goal to Paul Cyr. Andreychuk also assisted on a Normand Lacombe goal, bringing his personal total to six points.

Barrasso Handles the Heavier Workload

While Andreychuk turned seven shots into five goals, Tom Barrasso faced a much busier night in Buffalo’s net. The Sabres goaltender stopped 38 of Boston’s 44 shots, helping Buffalo win despite being outshot 44-21. Ray Bourque led the Bruins with seven shots but was unable to beat Barrasso.

Andreychuk’s performance established a Sabres single-game record that stood alone for more than 36 years. On December 7, 2022, Tage Thompson matched it with five goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The record may now be shared, but Andreychuk remains the first Sabre to reach that remarkable mark.

"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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Denis Savard’s Only NHL Penalty Shot Goal Started a Hat Trick

Denis Savard scored just once on five penalty shots during his NHL career. That lone success came on December 15, 1985, against the Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Stadium and it launched a hat trick. With Detroit leading on an early Steve Yzerman goal, Savard beat Greg Stefan on a penalty shot at 7:57 of the first period. His 17th goal of the 1985-86 season pulled the Chicago Blackhawks even at 1-1.

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Highlights

• Chicago defeated Detroit 6-4 at Chicago Stadium on December 15, 1985.

• Savard opened his scoring with a penalty shot at 7:57 of the first period.

• It was his only successful penalty shot in five NHL career attempts.

• His second goal gave Chicago a 4-3 third-period lead.

• Doug Wilson scored the winner at 17:35.

• Savard completed his hat trick just 12 seconds later.

• He finished 1985-86 with a career-high 47 goals and 116 points.

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Savard Gives Chicago a Third-Period Lead

The teams entered the third period tied 3-3 before Savard struck again. At 8:14, he scored his second goal of the night, assisted by Wayne Presley and Al Secord, to give Chicago a 4-3 advantage. John Ogrodnick later answered for Detroit, leaving the teams level once more as the clock ticked toward the final three minutes.

Two Goals in 12 Seconds Settle It

Doug Wilson broke the deadlock at 17:35, scoring what stood as the game-winning goal with assists from Troy Murray and Ed Olczyk. Just 12 seconds later, Savard completed his hat trick to make it 6-4. After a back-and-forth evening, Chicago had delivered two decisive blows before Detroit could respond.

For Savard, the opening goal remained a distinctive part of the performance. It came on the third penalty-shot opportunity of his NHL career and was the only one of his five attempts that he converted. On this night, that rare goal was the starting point for a three-goal effort against a longtime rival.

A Career-High 47 Goals

The hat trick was part of Savard’s best NHL season for goal scoring. He finished the 1985-86 regular season with a career-high 47 goals, the closest he came to reaching 50. He added four more in three playoff games, bringing his combined total to 51. His 116 regular-season points ranked seventh in the Art Ross Trophy race, although Wayne Gretzky’s extraordinary 215-point season left Savard, and the rest of the league, far behind.

The Big 50: Chicago Blackhawks (The Men and Moments that Made the Chicago Blackhawks)

Relive the greatest players, personalities, and turning points in Blackhawks history in this countdown of the 50 most influential figures and moments that shaped the franchise.

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