Rick MacLeish’s Game 7 Hat Trick Ends Islanders’ 1975 Comeback Bid

The New York Islanders had pushed the defending Stanley Cup champions to the brink of an embarrassing collapse. After Philadelphia won the first three games of their 1975 semifinal series, New York answered with three straight victories. That left everything riding on Game 7 at the Spectrum on May 13, 1975. Rick MacLeish made sure the Flyers’ title defence would continue.

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Highlights

• Played May 13, 1975, at the Spectrum.

• New York forced Game 7 after trailing the series 3–0.

• Gary Dornhoefer opened the scoring just 19 seconds in.

• MacLeish scored twice on the power play in the first period.

• His empty-net goal completed the hat trick in a 4–1 win.

• Bernie Parent stopped 14 of 15 shots.

• Philadelphia advanced to face Buffalo and won its second straight Stanley Cup.

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Gary Dornhoefer gave Philadelphia an immediate lift, opening the scoring just 19 seconds after the opening faceoff. MacLeish followed with a power-play goal at 2:27, assisted by Bill Barber and Bobby Clarke. That early marker would stand as the game winner, although the Islanders briefly cut the lead to 2–1 on a Jude Drouin power-play goal at 5:02.

MacLeish restored Philadelphia’s two-goal cushion at 7:11 of the first period, beating Glenn Resch for his second power-play goal of the night. Larry Goodenough supplied the lone assist on the goal, MacLeish’s ninth of the playoffs. The Flyers carried that 3–1 advantage through a scoreless second period and deep into the third.

With Resch pulled for an extra attacker, MacLeish completed his hat trick at 18:52, scoring into the empty net with an assist from Don Saleski. Philadelphia’s 4–1 victory ended New York’s comeback bid and secured a second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final. MacLeish led all players with eight shots, followed by Reggie Leach with seven, while Bernie Parent stopped 14 of the Islanders’ 15 shots.

It was MacLeish’s second hat trick of the 1975 postseason. He had opened Philadelphia’s quarterfinal series against Toronto with three goals and an assist in a 6–3 victory on April 13. Against Buffalo in the Stanley Cup Final, he scored once in six games as the Flyers captured their second straight championship. His Game 7 performance against the Islanders helped ensure they had the opportunity.

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.

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Andre Dupont’s Overtime Goal Eliminates the Maple Leafs in 1975

It wasn't Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber or Rick MacLeish who finished off the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1975 Stanley Cup playoffs. Instead, it was rugged Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Andre "Moose" Dupont who scored the overtime goal that completed the four-game sweep.

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Highlights

• April 19, 1975 — Maple Leaf Gardens

• Philadelphia entered Game 4 leading the series 3-0

• Reggie Leach scored twice for the Flyers

• Ron Ellis scored twice for Toronto

• Regulation ended tied 3-3

• Andre Dupont scored just 1:45 into overtime

• Both of Dupont's goals against Toronto were game winners

• Philadelphia completed the four-game sweep

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On April 19, 1975, the Flyers visited Maple Leaf Gardens holding a commanding 3-0 lead in their quarter-final series. Bernie Parent had shut out Toronto in each of the previous two games, but Game 4 turned into a much different contest. The teams traded goals throughout regulation before heading to overtime tied 3-3.

Flyers and Maple Leafs Battle Through Regulation

Reggie Leach scored both Philadelphia goals in the opening period, while Ron Ellis and Blaine Stoughton answered for Toronto. Bill Barber scored the only goal of the second period to give Philadelphia a 3-2 advantage, but Ellis struck again in the third to tie the game and keep the Maple Leafs' season alive.

That lasted just 1 minute and 45 seconds into overtime. Dupont scored with an assist from Dave Schultz to give Philadelphia the 4-3 victory and complete the series sweep. Gord McRae stopped 29 of 33 shots for Toronto, while Parent turned aside 28 of 31 at the other end.

Moose Dupont Delivers Two Game-Winning Goals

The overtime winner was Dupont's second goal of the series, and both were game winners. He had also scored the decisive goal in Philadelphia's 3-0 Game 2 victory. Dupont would finish the Flyers' 1975 playoff run with just three goals in 17 games, making his two against Toronto particularly memorable.

Bobby Clarke, Tiger Williams and Borje Salming each recorded two assists in Game 4. And, fittingly for a playoff game involving the Broad Street Bullies, there was plenty of physical play. Schultz fought Dave Dunn in the second period, while Orest Kindrachuk and Errol Thompson squared off late in the third.

Another Step Toward Philadelphia's Second Stanley Cup

The victory sent the defending champion Flyers into the next round and moved them another step closer to their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Philadelphia would eventually defeat the Buffalo Sabres in six games in the Stanley Cup Final.

For all the star power on that Flyers roster, it was Moose Dupont who supplied the goal that officially ended Toronto's 1974-75 season.

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.

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