When Pat Quinn Scored, It Counted: Two Big Goals for the 1972-73 Atlanta Flames

When people think of Pat Quinn, they often remember the imposing defenseman, the respected NHL coach, and the Hall of Fame builder. What they don’t usually remember is his goal-scoring touch, because there wasn’t much of it.

Over 606 NHL regular season games, Quinn scored just 18 goals. In 1972-73, his first season with the expansion Atlanta Flames, he scored only twice. But both goals were memorable and meaningful.

The first came on November 26, 1972, as the Flames hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins at The Omni, just the 24th game in franchise history. Early in the first period, Atlanta was shorthanded after Bill Plager was sent off for cross-checking. Just 13 seconds into the penalty kill, Quinn struck unassisted, beating goaltender Denis Herron for his first goal of the season. He later added an assist in the third period as Atlanta secured a 6-2 victory.

His second goal of the campaign came on January 7, 1973, again on home ice, against his former club, the Vancouver Canucks. With the game tied 2-2 entering the third period, Quinn broke the deadlock just 1:33 into the frame, scoring on Vancouver goalie Bruce Bullock. Assisted by Larry Romanchych and Bob Leiter, the goal stood as the game-winner in a 5-2 Flames triumph.

Offense was never Quinn’s calling card. His career high of five goals came the following season in 1973-74, also with Atlanta. In 11 career Stanley Cup playoff games, he never found the back of the net. Interestingly, his very first NHL goal, scored December 21, 1968 as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Detroit Red Wings, also stood as a game-winner in an 8-3 victory.

Quinn: The Life of a Hockey Legend

A compelling biography of Pat Quinn — the influential coach, mentor, and hockey icon whose leadership shaped generations of players.

Buy on Amazon

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

Bobby Clarke’s Historic Night: First 100-Point Season in Flyers History

On March 29, 1973, at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Bobby Clarke etched his name into franchise history. With two goals against the Atlanta Flames, Clarke became the first player in Philadelphia Flyers history to reach the 100-point mark in a single season. The Flyers defeated the Flames 4-2 that night, but the bigger story was the milestone achieved by their captain.

Clarke entered the game on the brink of history. His first goal came late in the second period at 18:26, beating goaltender Phil Myre with assists from Tom Bladon and Bill Barber. The tally gave Philadelphia a 3-1 lead following two earlier goals by Simon Nolet and marked Clarke’s 99th point of the season. It would also stand as the game-winning goal.

The historic 100th point arrived at 14:53 of the third period. Clarke scored his 35th goal of the 1972-73 campaign, once again solving Myre, this time with help from Rick MacLeish and Bladon. Despite surrendering the milestone marker, Myre was outstanding in goal, stopping 42 of 46 shots in a valiant losing effort.

This was game number 76 of the season for the Flyers, and Clarke had set the standard. MacLeish would soon follow, reaching 100 points in game 78. He did so in dramatic fashion, scoring his 50th goal of the season, alongside 50 assists for a perfect 100 points, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The milestone goal came at 2:02 of the second period against goaltender Cam Newton, assisted by Gary Dornhoefer.

Clarke would go on to finish the 1972-73 season with 37 goals and 104 points, setting a new offensive benchmark for the young Flyers franchise. It was a defining moment not only for Clarke personally, but for a Philadelphia team that was rapidly evolving into a powerhouse in the early 1970s.

So You Think You're a Philadelphia Flyers Fan?: Stars, Stats, Records, and Memories for True Diehards

A deep dive into Flyers history filled with stars, records, stats, and unforgettable memories from the ice — perfect for true diehards and history buffs. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Buy on Amazon

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

Gregg Sheppard Scores a Hat Trick in Just His Second NHL Game

Gregg Sheppard waited more than three years in the minor leagues for his chance to crack an NHL lineup. When that opportunity finally arrived with the Boston Bruins in October 1972, he wasted no time proving he belonged.

Sheppard made his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a quiet outing that didn’t show up on the scoresheet in a 3-2 Boston victory. One night later, however, everything changed. On October 29, 1972, facing the expansion New York Islanders at the Boston Garden, Sheppard delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career.

The Islanders, still in just their eighth game as an NHL franchise, struck first on an early goal by Brian Spencer. But at 16:01 of the opening period, Sheppard answered with his first NHL goal, tying the game and setting the tone for what would become a runaway Bruins victory.

By the time Sheppard scored his second goal at 5:53 of the third period, Boston had already built a commanding 6-1 lead. He completed his hat trick at 14:22 of the third, beating Islanders goaltender Billy Smith to make it 8-1. Johnny Bucyk added another just 38 seconds later, sealing a dominant 9-1 Bruins win.

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

Boston’s goaltending tandem of Ross Brooks and Ed Johnston faced only 16 shots on the night, while Smith endured a long evening, stopping 30 of 39 shots at the other end.

Sheppard’s breakout performance wasn’t a fluke. Throughout November 1972, he recorded three additional three-point games against the California Golden Seals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Philadelphia Flyers, further cementing his place in the Bruins’ lineup.

By season’s end, Sheppard had tallied 24 goals and 50 points in 64 games during his rookie campaign. His impressive debut season earned him Calder Trophy consideration, finishing sixth in voting for NHL Rookie of the Year and marking the beginning of a solid NHL career.

Hextall and Goldsworthy Power North Stars to First 10-Goal Game in Franchise History

On March 7, 1973, the Minnesota North Stars reached a historic offensive milestone at the Met Center, scoring ten goals in a single game for the first time in franchise history. Facing the Pittsburgh Penguins, the North Stars delivered a dominant performance that would stand as a benchmark moment in team history.

To date, the Minnesota North Stars / Dallas Stars franchise has scored ten goals in a game nine times, surpassing that total only once. The franchise record of 15 goals was set in 1981 against the Winnipeg Jets, but this 1973 outburst marked the beginning of Minnesota’s most explosive nights offensively.

Dennis Hextall and Bill Goldsworthy led the charge with four-point performances. Hextall recorded the first of his two NHL career hat tricks, scoring his 24th, 25th, and 26th goals of the 1972-73 season. He also added an assist on one of Goldsworthy’s second-period goals, capping off a standout night.

Mirage of Destiny: The Story of the 1990-91 Minnesota North Stars

A deep dive into the remarkable season of the Minnesota North Stars — their playoff run, key moments, and legacy.

Buy on Amazon

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

Goldsworthy matched Hextall’s impact, scoring his 24th and 25th goals of the season while assisting on two of Hextall’s tallies. All ten Minnesota goals came against Penguins goaltender Andy Brown, who was left in net for the entire game and stopped 32 of 42 shots despite the lopsided score.

Minnesota received strong secondary scoring as well, with Jude Drouin, Buster Harvey, and J.P. Parise each contributing three-point nights. For Pittsburgh, Eddie Shack scored twice and Syl Apps Jr. recorded three assists. North Stars goaltender Cesare Maniago turned aside 30 shots to secure the convincing victory.

Hextall finished the 1972-73 season with career highs in goals (30) and points (82), leading the North Stars in scoring while also topping the team with 140 penalty minutes. Goldsworthy ended the year with 27 goals and 60 points, finishing fifth on the team in scoring during one of the most productive seasons in franchise history.

Frank Mahovlich Scores His 500th NHL Goal Thanks To Henri Richard and Guy Lapointe

Frank Mahovlich’s legendary scoring touch reached a milestone on March 21, 1973, when he notched his 500th NHL goal at the Montreal Forum. The Canadiens hosted the Vancouver Canucks that night, and “The Big M” made sure it was memorable.

Mahovlich peppered Vancouver goalie Dunc Wilson with six shots, and one finally found the back of the net at 1:27 of the third period. That goal, assisted by Henri Richard and Guy Lapointe, stood as the game winner in a 3-2 Montreal victory.

Wilson faced a barrage of 41 shots, while Ken Dryden turned away 23 of 25 for Montreal. The goal came during a five-game hot streak for Mahovlich, who racked up 11 points over that span. He finished the 1972-73 season with 93 points, just shy of his career-best 96 the year before.

Over his NHL career, Mahovlich tallied 533 regular season goals, ranking 36th all-time and making him one of just 48 players to surpass the 500-goal mark. He added 51 playoff goals in 137 games and later scored 89 more in the WHA with the Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls.

From 1956-57 to 1973-74, Frank played 1,181 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens. The 1957-58 Calder Trophy winner captured six Stanley Cups, four with Toronto and two with Montreal, before earning induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

NHL Hockey Trivia: Frank Mahovlich

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Frank Mahovlich won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year with which team?
   Montreal Canadiens
   Detroit Red Wings
   Toronto Maple Leafs
   Chicago Black Hawks
   


2. How many Stanley Cups did Mahovlich win during his NHL career?
   4
   5
   6
   7
   


3. Which goaltender gave up Frank Mahovlich’s 500th career NHL goal on March 21, 1973?
   Ken Dryden
   Dunc Wilson
   Rogie Vachon
   Tony Esposito
   


4. Before joining the Montreal Canadiens, Mahovlich was traded to them from which NHL team?
   Chicago Black Hawks
   Detroit Red Wings
   Toronto Maple Leafs
   New York Rangers
   


5. In addition to his NHL career, Mahovlich played in the WHA. Which two teams did he play for there?
   Edmonton Oilers and Quebec Nordiques
   Winnipeg Jets and New England Whalers
   Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls
   Calgary Cowboys and Houston Aeros
   

Len Fontaine Bursts Onto The Scene With 3 Points In His 1st NHL Game

On opening night of the 1972-73 NHL season, rookie forward Len Fontaine made a stunning first impression in his very first game with the Detroit Red Wings. Facing the New York Rangers at the Olympia, Fontaine needed less than eight minutes to score his first NHL goal, a power play marker on legendary goalie Ed Giacomin, assisted by Red Berenson and Ron Stackhouse.

Before the first period was over, Detroit held a 4-0 lead, and Fontaine had already picked up two assists, one on Guy Charron’s goal and another on Berenson’s. His debut performance was nothing short of spectacular: three points in his first NHL game.

Detroit followed up with another home win, 4-3 over the Boston Bruins, where Fontaine repeated his performance with another three-point game, setting up two goals by Charron and one by Berenson.

After just two games, fans were beginning to wonder if Detroit had found their next superstar. But as it turned out, those early fireworks would represent the peak of Fontaine’s NHL scoring. His six points in two games, plus a goal against Philadelphia in Game 3, would make up nearly 40% of his total NHL production.

Fontaine went on to play 39 games in 1972-73 and seven more in 1973-74, for a total of 46 NHL games. He then carved out a long and successful career in the International Hockey League (IHL), highlighted by a championship win with the Toledo Goaldiggers in 1977-78.

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

NHL Hockey Trivia: Len Fontaine

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Len Fontaine made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings during which season?

1971-72
1972-73
1973-74
1974-75

2. Before turning pro, Fontaine starred in junior hockey with which Ontario team?

London Nationals
Windsor Spitfires
Sarnia Legionnaires
Petrolia Jets

3. Len Fontaine won an International Hockey League (IHL) championship in 1977-78 with which team?

Saginaw Gears
Toledo Goaldiggers
Fort Wayne Komets
Kalamazoo Wings

4. In his first two NHL games, Fontaine collected how many total points?

3
4
5
6

5. After leaving the NHL, Fontaine became a consistent scorer in the minors. Which of these leagues did he *not* play in?

IHL
WHA
AHL
CHL

Gilles Villemure Turns Away All 15 Phil Esposito Shots In 1972 Bruins-Rangers Clash

On December 14, 1972, the New York Rangers visited the Boston Garden in a showdown that featured two of the NHL’s biggest names: Phil Esposito and Gilles Villemure.

The 1972-73 season marked the third of four straight years that Esposito led the league in shots, and he showed no hesitation to fire the puck against Villemure. Boston launched 55 shots on goal, with 15 coming from Esposito alone.

Yet despite his relentless attack, Esposito was shut out individually. Villemure turned aside every single one of Espo’s shots. The Bruins still came out on top with a 4-2 victory, but not one of their goals came from their superstar sniper.

This performance set a rare mark in NHL history: most shots in a game without scoring a goal. To this day, only Alex Ovechkin has matched Esposito’s total, doing so in 2015. The overall single-game shots record belongs to Ray Bourque, who fired 19 on the Nordiques in 1991.

Esposito still found the scoresheet, recording two assists in the second period on goals by Wayne Cashman, both also assisted by Bobby Orr. Cashman and Orr each had seven shots, and when combined with Espo’s 15, the trio accounted for 29 of Boston’s 55 shots.

At the other end, Ed Johnston had a relatively calm night, stopping 22 of 24 shots. The Rangers’ goals came from Gene Carr and Jean Ratelle, while Fred O’Donnell scored the game-winner for Boston with help from Gregg Sheppard and Don Marcotte.

About Gilles Villemure

Between 1967-68 and 1976-77, Gilles Villemure played 205 regular season and 14 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. Along with his 1970-71 Vezina Trophy win (shared with Ed Giacomin), Villemure was WHL rookie of the year in 1962-63 before winning both the Hap Holmes Award and Les Cunningham Award in the AHL for 1968-69 and 1969-70.

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

NHL Hockey Trivia: Gilles Villemure

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Gilles Villemure spent the majority of his NHL career with which team?

Chicago Black Hawks
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Vancouver Canucks

2. Villemure shared the Vezina Trophy in 1971 with which fellow Rangers goalie?

Gump Worsley
Ed Giacomin
Bernie Parent
Rogie Vachon

3. Which season was Villemure’s best statistically, earning him NHL All-Star recognition?

1967-68
1970-71
1973-74
1975-76

4. Before becoming an NHL regular, Villemure was a standout in which minor league?

WHA
AHL
WHL
IHL

5. Villemure finished his NHL career with which team in 1976-77?

New York Rangers
Buffalo Sabres
Chicago Black Hawks
Los Angeles Kings

Steve Durbano’s 10 Points in 5 Games as a Rookie D-Man? Not Orr, But Still Impressive

When someone mentions a defenseman putting up 10 points in five NHL games during the 1972-73 season, your first thought might be Bobby Orr. Fair enough. Orr was in peak form that year. But the blueliner who did it in this stretch was rookie Steve Durbano of the St. Louis Blues.

In February 1973, Durbano scored a goal and assisted on nine others over a five-game tear. What's more surprising? He only took two minor penalties during that span, despite a career built on physicality and time in the box.

February 3, 1973: A Career Night

Durbano’s standout game came in a dominant 6-1 win over the California Golden Seals. He registered four assists, setting up two goals by Floyd Thomson, one from Phil Roberto, and the game-winner by Fran Huck. Durbano led all skaters with six shots on Gilles Meloche, as the Blues peppered the Seals with 51 total shots, compared to just 15 faced by Bob Johnson in the St. Louis net.

Durbano finished the night a +3 and didn’t take a single penalty, a rare stat line for the rugged blueliner.

From First-Round Pick to Journeyman 

Originally a first-round selection by the New York Rangers in 1971, Durbano never played a game for them. After some seasoning in the minors with the Omaha Knights, he broke into the NHL with the Blues in the 1972-73 season.

Over the course of his NHL career (1972-73 to 1978-79), Durbano played 220 regular season games and five playoff contests, suiting up for the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Kansas City Scouts, and Colorado Rockies. True to his reputation, he compiled a staggering 1,127 penalty minutes in those 220 games, averaging over 5 minutes per game.

Steve Durbano Trivia Quiz

For much more NHL hockey trivia, visit our Hockey Trivia Site!

1. How many points did Steve Durbano score in his 5-game streak in 1973?

5
7
10
12

2. Which team did Durbano record 4 assists against on February 3, 1973?

New York Rangers
California Golden Seals
Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins

3. What unusual stat did Durbano achieve in that February 3 game?

He had a fight and a goal
He had no penalties
He scored a hat trick
He was ejected

4. How many total NHL regular season games did Durbano play?

150
198
220
275

5. Which team originally drafted Steve Durbano?

New York Rangers
St. Louis Blues
Kansas City Scouts
Colorado Rockies