Friday, October 23, 2026

Ross Lonsberry’s Last-Second Goal Gives Kings a 5–4 Win Over Rangers in 1970

1969-70 O-Pee-Chee 104 NHL hockey card featuring Ross Lonsberry of the Los Angeles Kings.

Ross Lonsberry waited until the final second to make his offensive contribution count. On January 28, 1970, at the Forum in Los Angeles, he scored with one second remaining to give the Kings a dramatic 5–4 victory over the New York Rangers. His ninth goal of the season capped a finish that featured three goals in the final 2:38.


Highlights

  • Lonsberry scored at 19:59 of the third period on January 28, 1970.

  • His ninth goal of the season gave Los Angeles a 5–4 victory.

  • The teams combined for three goals in the final 2:38.

  • Lonsberry accumulated nine penalty minutes, including a fight with Brad Park.

  • Neither team scored a power-play goal.

  • Leon Rochefort and Larry Cahan assisted on the winner.

  • Bill Flett recorded seven shots, while Wayne Rutledge made 22 saves.


Before delivering the winner, Lonsberry had been busy collecting penalty minutes. He received a hooking minor just 47 seconds into the game, fought Brad Park in the second period and took another hooking penalty in the third. That left him with nine minutes in the box. Park also received a ten-minute misconduct following their fight, having already dropped the gloves with Skip Krake in the opening period.

Despite the trips to the penalty box, neither team scored a power-play goal. The Rangers held a 2–1 lead entering the third period, but goals by Jimmy Peters and Butch Goring put Los Angeles ahead. Walt Tkaczuk answered at 10:12, bringing New York back into a 3–3 tie and setting up a frantic finish.

Bill Flett restored the Kings’ lead at 17:22 with his eighth goal of the season. Just 87 seconds later, Bob Nevin replied for the Rangers, with Park supplying the assist. With the score tied 4–4 and the clock winding down, the teams appeared headed for a draw.

Lonsberry changed that at 19:59, beating Ed Giacomin with assists from Leon Rochefort and Larry Cahan. The winner came on Los Angeles’ 31st shot, with Flett leading the Kings with seven shots on goal. At the other end, Wayne Rutledge made 22 saves to earn the victory. After spending much of his night on the penalty sheet, Lonsberry claimed the final, and most important, entry on the scoresheet.

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