Detroit’s Only Hat Trick Of 1962-63 Belonged To Norm Ullman

The 1962-63 Detroit Red Wings were a powerhouse. They reached the Stanley Cup Final, featured three top-ten goal scorers, and were led offensively by the NHL’s top sniper, Gordie Howe. Yet remarkably, across 70 regular season games and 11 playoff contests, Detroit recorded just one hat trick all year. That lone three-goal performance belonged to Norm Ullman.

On March 14, 1963, at historic Detroit Olympia, the Red Wings hosted the New York Rangers in what would become a wide-open offensive showcase. Ullman opened his account at 12:23 of the first period, beating goaltender Gump Worsley to give Detroit a 2-0 lead. The goal was set up by Bill Gadsby and Floyd Smith.

The second period exploded for six combined goals, and by the time the horn sounded, Detroit held a 5-3 advantage.

Ullman wasted no time adding to his total. Just 28 seconds into the third period, he buried his 22nd goal of the season, assisted by Vic Stasiuk and Floyd Smith. After Andre Pronovost stretched the lead to 7-3, Ullman completed his hat trick at 11:59 of the frame, finishing off a setup from Stasiuk and Pete Goegan.

The teams traded goals down the stretch, but the final score settled at 9-4 for the Red Wings and Detroit’s only hat trick of the entire 1962-63 campaign was in the books.

Ullman finished the regular season with 26 goals and 30 assists for 56 points, good for 10th in NHL goal scoring, just one behind Johnny Bucyk and 12 back of Howe. When the playoffs arrived, Ullman elevated his game further. Though Detroit ultimately fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Final, Ullman and Howe shared the postseason scoring lead with 16 points apiece over 11 games.

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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Five on Five Shots: Tim Young’s Perfect Night in New York

On January 15, 1979, at Madison Square Garden, Tim Young delivered a performance that still stands alone in franchise history. Skating for the Minnesota North Stars, Young scored five goals in an 8-1 demolition of the New York Rangers. Decades later, even after the club’s relocation and rebrand as the Dallas Stars, no player in franchise history has matched the feat.

Young entered the night with 24 goals on the season, but no one could have predicted what would unfold on Broadway. He first made his presence felt as a playmaker, assisting on a goal by Jim Roberts just 2:06 into the game. Forty-nine seconds later, Young scored his first of the night, his 11th of the season, which would stand as the game-winning goal in the lopsided victory.

The second period turned historic. Young struck twice more to complete his hat trick, beating Rangers netminder Doug Soetaert each time. Soetaert surrendered five goals on just 13 shots through two periods and was replaced by Wayne Thomas for the third. The change made little difference. Young added his fourth and fifth goals against Thomas, sealing a stunning five-goal masterpiece.

What made the performance even more remarkable was its efficiency: five goals on five shots. A perfect shooting night. The six-point outing remains the only five-goal game ever recorded by a Minnesota/Dallas player and is one of just 48 instances in National Hockey League history where a player has scored five or more in a single game.

Behind the offensive explosion stood goaltender Gilles Meloche, who quietly stopped 33 of 34 shots. It was a typically strong effort from one of the era’s most underrated netminders, ensuring Young’s historic night would be remembered for all the right reasons.

Nearly half a century later, the franchise still waits for another player to replicate what Tim Young accomplished on that winter night in New York, a perfect five-for-five performance that remains unmatched.

Mirage of Destiny: The Story of the 1990-91 Minnesota North Stars

A deep dive into the remarkable season of the Minnesota North Stars — their playoff run, key moments, and legacy.

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Doug Harvey’s 4-Point Night Powers Canadiens Past Red Wings 7-0 In 1958

On January 30, 1958, Doug Harvey delivered one of the finest performances of his Hall of Fame career, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a dominant 7-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings at the iconic Montreal Forum.

Harvey opened the scoring midway through the first period on the power play, beating Terry Sawchuk for what would stand as the game-winning goal. He added an assist later in the period and finished the night with four points, showcasing the offensive brilliance that made him the NHL’s premier defenseman of the era.

After a quiet second period, Montreal erupted for five third-period goals. Harvey picked up assists on tallies by Jean Beliveau and Don Marshall, while Dickie Moore also recorded four points. In goal, Jacques Plante stopped all 28 shots he faced.

The performance came during a season in which Harvey would capture another James Norris Memorial Trophy and help Montreal secure yet another Stanley Cup. Along with the Norris Trophy win in 1957-58, Doug finished third in voting for the Hart Trophy behind winner Gordie Howe and runner-up Andy Bathgate. In the playoffs, Harvey was outstanding with eleven points in ten games, including a goal and assist in the Stanley Cup clinching game 6 win over the Boston Bruins.

Stole This from a Hockey Card: A Philosophy of Hockey, Doug Harvey, Identity and Booze

A reflective exploration of hockey, life, and the legacy of Doug Harvey — blending philosophy, personal history, and the spirit of the game.

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