With 20 seconds remaining and the Hartford Whalers killing a penalty, Joel Quenneville supplied an unlikely finish to a remarkable comeback. His shorthanded goal on October 11, 1986, completed Hartford’s rally from a 5–2 third-period deficit, giving the Whalers a 6–5 victory over the Calgary Flames in their season opener at the Hartford Civic Center.
Highlights
Hartford opened its season against Calgary on October 11, 1986.
The Whalers trailed 5–2 before scoring four unanswered third-period goals.
Stew Gavin tied the game at 13:38, prompting Calgary’s goaltending change.
Ulf Samuelsson’s slashing penalty left Hartford shorthanded late.
Quenneville scored the winner at 19:40 on his only shot.
Paul Lawless scored twice, and Mike Liut made 26 saves.
Quenneville finished the season with just three goals in 37 games.
Quenneville was hardly Hartford’s most obvious candidate for a last-minute scoring rescue. The defenceman scored just 54 goals in 803 NHL regular-season games and none in 32 playoff appearances. His career high was ten goals with the Colorado Rockies in 1980–81. During the 1986–87 season, he would appear in only 37 games for Hartford and score three times.
The first of those three goals capped a stunning reversal. Calgary still held a comfortable 5–2 advantage when Hartford began its comeback at 6:32 of the third period. The Whalers scored three times to draw even, with Stew Gavin making it 5–5 at 13:38. That tying goal ended Reggie Lemelin’s night in the Calgary net, bringing Mike Vernon into the game.
Hartford’s momentum faced a late test when Ulf Samuelsson received a slashing penalty at 18:08. Instead of settling for a tie while shorthanded, the Whalers found the winning goal. With assists from Dave Tippett and Doug Jarvis, Quenneville beat Vernon at 19:40. It was his only shot on goal all evening.
Paul Lawless led Hartford with two goals, while John Anderson, Ray Ferraro, Gavin and Quenneville added one apiece. Mike Liut stopped 26 of Calgary’s 31 shots to earn the victory. His second cousin, Ron Francis, finished without a point, but the Whalers still found enough offence to turn a three-goal deficit into a memorable opening-night win.
O-PEE-CHEE & TOPPS Hockey Card Collectors Guide 1933-1995
Explore decades of vintage hockey card history with this collectors guide covering O-Pee-Chee and Topps hockey cards from 1933 to 1995. A valuable reference for enthusiasts of classic sets, legendary players, and the golden age of hockey card collecting.
Buy on Amazon
No comments:
Post a Comment