Bill Quackenbush Sets Up Every Bruins Goal In 1955 Shutout Of Toronto

When hockey fans think of high-scoring nights, they usually picture flashy forwards piling up goals. But on January 20, 1955, it was steady defensive defenseman Bill Quackenbush doing all the offensive setup work as the Boston Bruins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 at the historic Boston Garden.

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Highlights:

• Bill Quackenbush assisted on all three Boston Bruins goals

• Boston defeated Toronto 3-0 on January 20, 1955

• Ed Sandford scored the game-winning goal in the first period

• Lorne Ferguson and Leo Labine added the other Boston goals

• Rookie goalie John Henderson recorded the shutout victory

• Harry Lumley took the loss for the Maple Leafs

• Quackenbush finished the 1954-55 season with 20 assists

• Terry Sawchuk’s arrival in Boston soon ended Henderson’s NHL career

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Known as one of the coolest names in hockey history, Quackenbush was never considered a prolific scorer. The smooth blue liner built his reputation on dependable defensive play, but on this particular night he quietly became the offensive catalyst for Boston, assisting on every Bruins goal.

The scoring opened just 6:53 into the first period when Ed Sandford beat Toronto goaltender Harry Lumley for what would stand as the game-winning goal. Quackenbush and Hal Laycoe picked up the assists. Nearly an exact period later, at 6:50 of the second, Lorne Ferguson scored Boston’s second goal with helpers from Quackenbush and Cal Gardner.

Quackenbush completed his three-assist performance late in the third period when Leo Labine scored at 16:35. Don McKenney also assisted on the insurance marker. For Quackenbush, the outing was impressive but not entirely out of character. During the 1954-55 season, he finished with two goals and 20 assists for 22 points in 68 games, numbers that closely reflected the steady production he delivered throughout his NHL career.

Earning the shutout for Boston was rookie goaltender John Henderson, recording the fifth and final shutout of his NHL career. Henderson appeared in 45 regular season games and two playoff contests for the Bruins that season and posted respectable numbers. However, in the era when teams relied heavily on one starting goalie, Boston brought in Terry Sawchuk for the following season. Henderson played just one more NHL game in 1955-56 before his major league career came to an end.

Boston Bruins: Greatest Moments and Players

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10 Points, 6 Goals: Blues Duo Quietly Take Over Against Quebec

On January 6, 1981, the St. Louis Blues delivered a strong but somewhat understated 6-3 victory over the Quebec Nordiques, despite a rare offensive explosion from two of their top players. Blake Dunlop and Jorgen Pettersson each recorded five-point performances, combining for 10 points in a game that, surprisingly, never turned into a complete rout.

Highlights

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• Blake Dunlop and Jorgen Pettersson each recorded 5 points

• Combined for 10 points in a 6-3 Blues win

• Involved in 5 of the team’s 6 goals

• Pettersson scored twice and added three assists

• Dunlop had one goal and four assists

• Game played January 6, 1981 vs Quebec Nordiques

• Pettersson finished rookie season with 73 points in 62 games

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Even more remarkable, the duo factored in on all but one of St. Louis’ six goals. It was the kind of statistical dominance that usually results in a lopsided scoreline, but the Nordiques managed to keep things relatively respectable on the scoreboard.

Dunlop’s night included a goal and four assists. His eighth goal of the 1980-81 season came early in the third period, with assists from Pettersson and Wayne Babych. Beyond that, Dunlop played a key setup role, assisting on two of Pettersson’s goals, as well as markers by Babych and Craig Norwich.

Pettersson matched Dunlop point-for-point with two goals and three assists. His 12th goal of the season came midway through the second period to give the Blues a 3-0 lead. He later capped off the scoring late in the third period, once again with Dunlop contributing on the play. Pettersson also added assists on goals by Babych, Norwich, and Dunlop himself.

The performance was part of a standout rookie season for Pettersson, who finished with 37 goals and 73 points in just 62 games. Having already established himself professionally in Sweden, the 24-year-old transitioned seamlessly to the NHL, ultimately finishing sixth in Calder Trophy voting.

Dunlop, meanwhile, was enjoying the best season of his career. He totaled 67 assists and 87 points, placing him among the league’s top playmakers and tying for seventh in assists league-wide. Though this particular game may not be widely remembered, it remains a perfect snapshot of how dominant the Dunlop–Pettersson combination could be on any given night.

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Dick Cherry’s Rare Offensive Explosion: Shorthanded Game-Winner Lifts Flyers in 1969

When fans think of Dick Cherry, offensive heroics aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. A dependable, stay-at-home defenseman, Cherry made his mark with steady play, not scoring bursts. But on January 26, 1969, at the The Spectrum, he delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career.

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Highlights

• Dick Cherry scored a rare two-goal game for the Flyers

• Game took place January 26, 1969, at the Spectrum

• Penguins jumped out to an early 3-0 lead

• Flyers rallied with goals by Kennedy, Gendron, and Lacroix

• Cherry netted the game-winning goal while shorthanded

• Added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds remaining

• Dick Sarrazin recorded an impressive four assists

• One of Cherry’s most memorable NHL performances

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The visiting Pittsburgh Penguins came out flying, building a 3-0 lead in the first half of the game thanks to goals from Wally Boyer, Billy Dea, and Ken Schinkel. It looked like a comfortable night for Pittsburgh early on.

But the Philadelphia Flyers weren’t done.

Midway through the second period, Forbes Kennedy got Philadelphia on the board. Later in the frame, Jean-Guy Gendron cut the deficit to one, setting the stage for a dramatic third period.

Just over eight minutes into the final frame, Andre Lacroix tied the game, and momentum had clearly shifted. With the score even, overtime seemed inevitable.

Then came the turning point.

With teammate Myron Stankiewicz in the penalty box, Cherry seized his moment. Scoring just his second goal of the season, he beat Penguins goaltender Les Binkley with a shorthanded effort, assisted by Dick Sarrazin. It stood up as the game-winner.

Cherry wasn’t finished. With just 14 seconds remaining, he added an empty-net goal to seal a 5-3 Flyers victory, an extraordinary two-goal night for a player who scored just 12 times in his entire NHL regular-season career.

For Cherry, whose NHL journey included a brief debut with the Boston Bruins in 1956-57 before returning over a decade later with Philadelphia, this game stands as a shining offensive highlight.

And while Cherry earned the spotlight, it’s worth noting the incredible performance of Sarrazin, who recorded four assists in the game. Despite limited NHL time, he enjoyed a strong 1968-69 season, posting 16 goals and 46 points in just 54 games.

So You Think You're a Philadelphia Flyers Fan?: Stars, Stats, Records, and Memories for True Diehards

A deep dive into Flyers history filled with stars, records, stats, and unforgettable memories from the ice — perfect for true diehards and history buffs.

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