Kent Nilsson Steals the Show in Historic First Game at Stampede Corral

When the Calgary Flames officially began their new chapter in Alberta, fans packed into the intimate Stampede Corral for a night they wouldn’t soon forget. On October 9, 1980, the former Atlanta franchise played its first regular season game in Calgary against the Quebec Nordiques and while the game ended in a 5-5 tie, it delivered plenty of excitement.

The scoring opened with Michel Goulet beating Calgary goaltender Dan Bouchard midway through the first period. But the Flames wasted no time responding, as Guy Chouinard evened things up just 35 seconds later. Before the period ended, the home crowd was buzzing thanks to Kent Nilsson, who picked up assists on goals by Willi Plett and Chouinard to give Calgary a 3-1 lead.

Nilsson continued his dazzling performance in the second period, scoring his first goal of the season. However, Quebec battled back with three goals of their own, including a pair from Jacques Richard, sending the game into the third period tied 4-4.

In the final frame, Nilsson struck again, scoring his second goal of the night to reclaim the lead for Calgary. But Goulet answered quickly, tying the game just 49 seconds later and capping off a thrilling 5-5 finish.

Nilsson’s four-point performance (two goals, two assists) was just a preview of what was to come. He would go on to record an incredible 49 goals and 82 assists for 131 points during the 1980-81 season, numbers that still stand as single-season franchise records for assists and points.

Just five nights later, the Flames celebrated their first home victory in Calgary, defeating the Los Angeles Kings 4-2. Fittingly, Nilsson played a key role once again, assisting on the game-winning goal by Kevin LaVallee to help secure the milestone win.

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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Chuck Lefley’s Shorthanded Game-Winner Caps Canadiens Rout of Red Wings in 1974

On February 15, 1974, the Montreal Canadiens wasted no time electrifying the crowd at the Montreal Forum, jumping on the Detroit Red Wings almost immediately. Just ten seconds into the game, Yvan Cournoyer lit the lamp, beating Detroit goaltender Doug Grant with assists from Chuck Lefley and Guy Lapointe. It was another lightning-fast strike for Cournoyer, who had tied the Canadiens’ franchise record earlier that season with a goal just nine seconds into a game.

Montreal kept the pressure on throughout the opening period, building a commanding lead with a relentless offensive surge. By the late stages of the first, the Canadiens had already piled up four goals, overwhelming Detroit with their speed and precision. Then, in an unusual twist, Cournoyer found himself in the penalty box for a hooking minor at 18:55.

What followed only added to Montreal’s dominance. Just 20 seconds into the penalty kill, Lefley struck shorthanded for his 15th goal of the 1973-74 season, finishing a play set up by Pete Mahovlich. The goal pushed the score to 5-0 and ultimately stood as the game-winner in a wide-open 9-4 Canadiens victory.

The chemistry between Lefley and Cournoyer resurfaced early in the third period. Cournoyer netted his 33rd goal of the season, this time with assists from Lefley and goaltender Wayne Thomas. It was part of a remarkable night for Montreal’s offense, with six players recording three-point performances, including Guy Lafleur, Lapointe, Frank Mahovlich, Pete Mahovlich, and Henri Richard.

Selected sixth overall in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft, Lefley carved out a solid NHL career spanning over a decade. He appeared in 407 regular season games and added 29 playoff contests between 1970-71 and 1980-81 with the Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Lefley recorded four 20-goal seasons, highlighted by a career-best 43 goals and 85 points with St. Louis in 1975-76.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

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Bobby Hull’s 6-Point Explosion vs. Leafs Help Power Historic 1965-66 Season

During the 1965-66 NHL season, Bobby Hull delivered one of the most dominant offensive performances of his legendary career. The Chicago Blackhawks superstar shattered his own single-season goal record with 54 goals, capturing both the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy. A significant portion of that success came at the expense of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who struggled to contain “The Golden Jet” all season long.

Hull wasted no time making his presence felt against Toronto, recording a hat trick in the season opener. But it was his unforgettable six-point performance later in the year that truly stood out. Across 14 games versus the Leafs, Hull piled up an incredible 21 points, scoring 11 goals and adding 10 assists in a display of pure offensive dominance.

On November 7, 1965, the Blackhawks, still undefeated, hosted Toronto at the iconic Chicago Stadium. The game quickly turned into a rout, as Chicago stormed out to a 5-0 lead after just one period. Hull set the tone early, assisting on a goal by Phil Esposito, which stood as the game-winner, and later adding another helper on a shorthanded tally by Chico Maki.

The second period saw Hull take over offensively. He scored twice against legendary goaltender Terry Sawchuk, with assists from Esposito, Stan Mikita, and Pierre Pilote. In between those goals, Hull added yet another assist, this time on Mikita’s second goal of the season, bringing his point total to five through two periods.

Hull capped off his incredible night in the third period, scoring his third goal of the game at 12:55 to complete the hat trick and reach six points. He led all skaters with eight shots on goal, showcasing his relentless attack. Meanwhile, Glenn Hall was equally impressive in net, turning aside 40 shots to secure the shutout in a dominant 9-0 victory.

The Golden Jet: A Spectacular Career In Stunning Photographs

A visually rich tribute to Bobby Hull’s legendary career, featuring stunning photographs that capture the speed, power, and charisma of one of hockey’s greatest goal scorers.

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