Richard Brothers Combine for 10 Points as Canadiens Rout Maple Leafs 9-3

The Montreal Canadiens wasted little time reminding the NHL why they were the league's powerhouse during the 1950s. On October 17, 1957, they welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Montreal Forum and handed their Original Six rivals a decisive 9-3 defeat. The night's biggest story belonged to brothers Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Henri "Pocket Rocket" Richard, who combined for an incredible 10 points while accounting for five of Montreal's nine goals.

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Highlights

• Maurice and Henri Richard combined for 10 points against Toronto.

• Henri Richard recorded a hat trick and three assists for a six-point game.

• Maurice Richard finished with two goals and two assists.

• The Richard brothers scored five of Montreal's nine goals.

• Dickie Moore and Doug Harvey each added three-point performances.

• Claude Provost scored the game-winning goal in the second period.

• Toronto fell to 0-3 before rebounding with a 7-0 win over Boston two nights later.

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Henri Richard led the offensive explosion with one of the finest games of his career. The Pocket Rocket scored a hat trick and added three assists for a remarkable six-point performance. Two of those assists came on goals by his older brother Maurice, while another set up Jean-Guy Talbot. Maurice answered with two goals and two assists, helping set up Henri's first goal and a tally by Dickie Moore to finish with four points. After just five games of the 1957-58 season, both Richard brothers had already scored six goals.

The Canadiens received plenty of support throughout the lineup. Dickie Moore and Hall of Fame defenseman Doug Harvey each chipped in three-point nights, while Claude Provost scored what proved to be the game-winning goal midway through the second period. Provost beat Toronto goaltender Ed Chadwick at 10:25 of the middle frame, with assists from Phil Goyette and Harvey, giving Montreal a 4-3 lead before the Canadiens pulled away with five unanswered goals.

For Toronto, the loss dropped the club to 0-3 to begin the 1957-58 campaign. Fortunately for the Maple Leafs, the rough start didn't last much longer. Just two nights later, they welcomed the unbeaten Boston Bruins to Maple Leaf Gardens and responded in emphatic fashion with a stunning 7-0 victory. Ed Chadwick earned the shutout, while Brian Cullen and Billy Harris each recorded hat tricks to give Toronto its first win of the season in memorable style.

The October 17 showdown remains one of the greatest family performances in Montreal Canadiens history. Few sibling duos have ever dominated an NHL game the way Maurice and Henri Richard did, combining skill, scoring touch and playmaking brilliance to overwhelm one of hockey's fiercest rivals.

Henri Richard: La légende aux 11 Coupes Stanley

L’histoire autorisée du légendaire numéro 16 du Canadien de Montréal, racontée par son fils Denis Richard, retraçant sa carrière, ses 11 Coupes Stanley et les moments marquants de la vie du « Pocket Rocket ». :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

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Brian Cullen And Billy Harris Deliver Twin Hat Tricks As Maple Leafs Crush Bruins 7-0

The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn't have asked for a better remedy after opening the 1957-58 NHL season with three consecutive losses. On October 19, 1957, a packed Maple Leaf Gardens crowd watched the Leafs completely dominate the Boston Bruins in a 7-0 victory that finally put Toronto in the win column. Goaltender Ed Chadwick was flawless, turning aside all 30 Boston shots, while Brian Cullen and Billy Harris each recorded memorable hat tricks.

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Highlights

• The Maple Leafs snapped an 0-3 start with a dominant 7-0 victory over the Bruins.

• Brian Cullen scored the first hat trick of the night, including the game-winning goal.

• Billy Harris matched Cullen with a hat trick of his own in the third period.

• Ed Chadwick earned a 30-save shutout against Boston.

• Ron Stewart added a shorthanded goal just 24 seconds into the second period.

• Barry Cullen assisted on two of his brother Brian's three goals.

• The game remains one of the rare occasions in NHL history where two teammates recorded hat tricks in the same game.

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Cullen opened the scoring late in the first period, converting a power-play opportunity at 18:06. George Armstrong and Bob Pulford set up the goal, which proved to be the eventual game winner. Although the Leafs would score six more times, Boston never seriously threatened Chadwick, who was in complete control from start to finish.

Toronto buried the Bruins in the second period. Ron Stewart struck just 24 seconds into the frame with a shorthanded goal before Brian Cullen added his second of the night at 17:19. His brother, Barry Cullen, and defenseman Bob Baun picked up the assists. Barry would also help set up Brian's third goal in the final period, giving the Cullen brothers a special family connection on an unforgettable evening.

Not to be overshadowed, Billy Harris took over in the third period. He scored twice within 30 seconds early in the frame before completing his own hat trick with only 22 seconds remaining in regulation. Remarkably, Toronto had two different players score three goals in the same game, accounting for six of the club's seven goals in one of the most lopsided wins of the season.

Despite their explosive performances that night, neither player went on to challenge the league's scoring leaders. Harris finished the season with 16 goals, while Cullen enjoyed the finest offensive campaign of his NHL career, scoring a personal-best 20. Even so, their unforgettable outburst against Boston remains one of the more unique offensive performances in Maple Leafs history, proving that sometimes one spectacular night can leave a lasting place in franchise lore.

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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