On November 13, 1975, the Chicago Blackhawks stormed into the Spectrum in Philadelphia and made NHL history almost immediately. Forward John Marks needed only 33 seconds from the opening faceoff to score twice against the defending Stanley Cup champion Flyers, setting a new NHL record for the fastest two goals by one player from the start of a game.
Highlights:
John Marks scored twice in the first 33 seconds of the game
The record-setting game took place on November 13, 1975
Marks broke Bill Hicke’s previous NHL record
Chicago built an early 5-1 lead over Philadelphia
Gary Dornhoefer recorded four points for the Flyers
Philadelphia scored three goals in a 50-second span
The game ended in a dramatic 5-5 tie
Mike Knuble later broke the NHL record in 2003
Marks opened the scoring just 14 seconds into the contest, beating Philadelphia goaltender Wayne Stephenson unassisted for his fourth goal of the 1975-76 season. Before fans had even settled into their seats, he struck again only 19 seconds later. Assisted by Pit Martin and Cliff Koroll, Marks buried his second of the night at the 0:33 mark, breaking the previous NHL record by a full minute.
The old mark had belonged to Bill Hicke of the Oakland Seals, who scored twice within the opening 1:33 of a game back in 1969. Marks’ incredible start stunned the Flyers and helped Chicago build what looked like an insurmountable lead. By the midway point of the game, the Blackhawks were comfortably ahead 5-1.
Philadelphia, however, refused to go quietly. Led by Gary Dornhoefer’s four-point night consisting of one goal and three assists, the Flyers clawed their way back into the contest. Ross Lonsberry and Dornhoefer scored within the final 23 seconds of the second period, and Bill Barber added another just 27 seconds into the third. The Flyers’ rapid-fire comeback featured three goals in only 50 seconds.
Despite Marks’ historic opening burst, the game ultimately ended in a wild 5-5 tie. Ivan Boldirev and Dennis Hull each chipped in with two-point performances for Chicago, but the Flyers’ relentless push erased the early deficit and salvaged a point on home ice.
Marks’ NHL record eventually fell years later when Mike Knuble of the Boston Bruins scored twice within the first 27 seconds of a 2003 game against the Florida Panthers. Interestingly, only a month after Marks set the record, Buffalo Sabres star Rick Martin nearly matched it by scoring two goals in the opening 38 seconds against the Minnesota North Stars.
The Big 50: Chicago Blackhawks (The Men and Moments that Made the Chicago Blackhawks)
Relive the greatest players, personalities, and turning points in Blackhawks history in this countdown of the 50 most influential figures and moments that shaped the franchise.
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