When most hockey fans think of Bruce Boudreau, it’s for his work behind the bench rather than on the ice. But on December 16, 1977, “Gabby” had the best game of his NHL playing career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Boudreau had proven his scoring touch in junior with the Toronto Marlboros (68 goals) and in the AHL with the St. Catharines Saints (50 goals). In the NHL, his best season came in 1977-78 when he tallied 11. Three of those came on one memorable night in Minnesota.
The Leafs were flying high early that season while the North Stars were struggling badly. Toronto rolled to an 8-5 win, and Boudreau was the star.
His first goal came at 12:00 of the second period, assisted by Börje Salming and Tiger Williams, putting Toronto ahead 3-1.
Just minutes later, Ron Ellis and Salming set up his second to make it 4-2.
Early in the third, with Minnesota’s Tom Younghans in the box for hooking, Boudreau buried his hat trick goal on the power play for what proved to be the game-winner.
Salming finished with five assists, three of them on Boudreau’s goals, while Toronto peppered Pete LoPresti with 37 shots.
Boudreau would go on to play 141 regular season and nine playoff games in the NHL with Toronto and Chicago. His legacy, however, would be built as a coach, where he won championships in the ECHL and AHL and became one of the most colorful personalities behind an NHL bench, even if a Stanley Cup title still eludes him.
