When fans think of Dick Cherry, offensive heroics aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. A dependable, stay-at-home defenseman, Cherry made his mark with steady play, not scoring bursts. But on January 26, 1969, at the The Spectrum, he delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career.
Highlights
Dick Cherry scored a rare two-goal game for the Flyers
Game took place January 26, 1969, at the Spectrum
Penguins jumped out to an early 3-0 lead
Flyers rallied with goals by Kennedy, Gendron, and Lacroix
Cherry netted the game-winning goal while shorthanded
Added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds remaining
Dick Sarrazin recorded an impressive four assists
One of Cherry’s most memorable NHL performances
The visiting Pittsburgh Penguins came out flying, building a 3-0 lead in the first half of the game thanks to goals from Wally Boyer, Billy Dea, and Ken Schinkel. It looked like a comfortable night for Pittsburgh early on.
But the Philadelphia Flyers weren’t done.
Midway through the second period, Forbes Kennedy got Philadelphia on the board. Later in the frame, Jean-Guy Gendron cut the deficit to one, setting the stage for a dramatic third period.
Just over eight minutes into the final frame, Andre Lacroix tied the game, and momentum had clearly shifted. With the score even, overtime seemed inevitable.
Then came the turning point.
With teammate Myron Stankiewicz in the penalty box, Cherry seized his moment. Scoring just his second goal of the season, he beat Penguins goaltender Les Binkley with a shorthanded effort, assisted by Dick Sarrazin. It stood up as the game-winner.
Cherry wasn’t finished. With just 14 seconds remaining, he added an empty-net goal to seal a 5-3 Flyers victory, an extraordinary two-goal night for a player who scored just 12 times in his entire NHL regular-season career.
For Cherry, whose NHL journey included a brief debut with the Boston Bruins in 1956-57 before returning over a decade later with Philadelphia, this game stands as a shining offensive highlight.
And while Cherry earned the spotlight, it’s worth noting the incredible performance of Sarrazin, who recorded four assists in the game. Despite limited NHL time, he enjoyed a strong 1968-69 season, posting 16 goals and 46 points in just 54 games.
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