Dave Keon found a welcome scoring breakthrough on March 5, 1966. Entering the Toronto Maple Leafs’ matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks at Maple Leaf Gardens, he had gone nine consecutive games without a goal. That drought ended emphatically as Keon scored a natural hat trick to lead Toronto to a 5–0 victory.
Highlights
Keon entered the game with a nine-game goal drought.
His opening goal at 1:07 stood as the game-winner.
He completed a natural hat trick at 12:17 of the second period.
George Armstrong and Ron Ellis added third-period goals.
Bruce Gamble stopped all 33 Chicago shots.
Bob Pulford led Toronto with eight shots but recorded no points.
Bobby Hull led Chicago with six shots.
Keon Strikes Early Against Glenn Hall
Keon needed just 1:07 to score his 19th goal of the 1965–66 NHL season. Bob Baun and Allan Stanley assisted on the opening goal against Chicago goaltender Glenn Hall. It proved to be the only goal of the first period and, with Bruce Gamble keeping the Blackhawks off the scoreboard, the eventual game-winner.
A Natural Hat Trick in the Second Period
A cross-checking penalty assessed to Stan Mikita at the end of the first period gave Toronto a power play to begin the second. Keon capitalized just 50 seconds after the intermission, scoring with assists from Kent Douglas and George Armstrong. At 12:17, he struck again, this time with help from Larry Hillman. By scoring the game’s first three goals, Keon completed a natural hat trick and put the Maple Leafs firmly in control.
Armstrong and Ron Ellis added third-period goals to complete the 5–0 win. Keon finished with six shots on net, converting half of them. Bob Pulford was even busier around the Chicago goal, recording eight shots, although he finished without a point.
Bruce Gamble Keeps Chicago Quiet
At the other end, Gamble stopped all 33 shots he faced to earn the shutout. Bobby Hull led Chicago with six shots, but even the Blackhawks’ most dangerous scorer could not find a way through Toronto’s goaltender.
The hat trick stood out during an otherwise lean scoring stretch for Keon. After going nine games without a goal before facing Chicago, he scored just three more over Toronto’s final 14 games of the season. On this night, however, his finishing touch and Gamble’s perfect performance combined for a decisive Maple Leafs victory.
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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