February 6, 1986: Andreychuk Makes Buffalo Sabres History

The Boston Bruins scored six goals at Boston Garden on February 6, 1986 and still couldn’t keep pace with the Buffalo Sabres. Dave Andreychuk supplied five goals and an assist in Buffalo’s 8-6 victory, becoming the first player in franchise history to score five times in a single game.

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Highlights

• Buffalo defeated Boston 8-6 at Boston Garden on February 6, 1986.

• Dave Andreychuk became the first Sabre to score five goals in a game.

• All five goals came against Doug Keans in the first two periods.

• His fifth goal, at 17:15 of the second period, was the game winner.

• An assist on Normand Lacombe’s goal gave Andreychuk six points.

• Tom Barrasso made 38 saves as Boston outshot Buffalo 44-21.

• Tage Thompson matched Andreychuk’s five-goal record on December 7, 2022.

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Buffalo Strikes Early at Boston Garden

Mike Foligno opened the scoring just 37 seconds into the game. Andreychuk then added two consecutive goals, giving Buffalo a 3-0 lead by 14:30 of the first period. Boston answered with two quick goals before the intermission, trimming the Sabres’ advantage to 3-2 and setting the stage for another busy period.

Three More Goals in the Second Period

Andreychuk completed his hat trick at 4:40 of the second, but his night was far from finished. He scored three times in the period, beating Bruins goaltender Doug Keans for all five of his goals through 40 minutes. His fifth, scored at 17:15, was his 24th of the 1985-86 season. It gave Buffalo a 7-4 lead and ultimately stood as the game-winning goal.

Boston coach Butch Goring replaced Keans with Pat Riggin for the third period after Keans surrendered seven goals on 17 shots. Riggin faced only four shots in relief, allowing Buffalo’s final goal to Paul Cyr. Andreychuk also assisted on a Normand Lacombe goal, bringing his personal total to six points.

Barrasso Handles the Heavier Workload

While Andreychuk turned seven shots into five goals, Tom Barrasso faced a much busier night in Buffalo’s net. The Sabres goaltender stopped 38 of Boston’s 44 shots, helping Buffalo win despite being outshot 44-21. Ray Bourque led the Bruins with seven shots but was unable to beat Barrasso.

Andreychuk’s performance established a Sabres single-game record that stood alone for more than 36 years. On December 7, 2022, Tage Thompson matched it with five goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The record may now be shared, but Andreychuk remains the first Sabre to reach that remarkable mark.

"Then Perreault Said to Rico…": The Best Buffalo Sabres Stories Ever Told

A collection of the greatest Buffalo Sabres tales — from unforgettable moments to iconic personalities in franchise history.

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Denis Savard’s Only NHL Penalty Shot Goal Started a Hat Trick

Denis Savard scored just once on five penalty shots during his NHL career. That lone success came on December 15, 1985, against the Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Stadium and it launched a hat trick. With Detroit leading on an early Steve Yzerman goal, Savard beat Greg Stefan on a penalty shot at 7:57 of the first period. His 17th goal of the 1985-86 season pulled the Chicago Blackhawks even at 1-1.

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Highlights

• Chicago defeated Detroit 6-4 at Chicago Stadium on December 15, 1985.

• Savard opened his scoring with a penalty shot at 7:57 of the first period.

• It was his only successful penalty shot in five NHL career attempts.

• His second goal gave Chicago a 4-3 third-period lead.

• Doug Wilson scored the winner at 17:35.

• Savard completed his hat trick just 12 seconds later.

• He finished 1985-86 with a career-high 47 goals and 116 points.

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Savard Gives Chicago a Third-Period Lead

The teams entered the third period tied 3-3 before Savard struck again. At 8:14, he scored his second goal of the night, assisted by Wayne Presley and Al Secord, to give Chicago a 4-3 advantage. John Ogrodnick later answered for Detroit, leaving the teams level once more as the clock ticked toward the final three minutes.

Two Goals in 12 Seconds Settle It

Doug Wilson broke the deadlock at 17:35, scoring what stood as the game-winning goal with assists from Troy Murray and Ed Olczyk. Just 12 seconds later, Savard completed his hat trick to make it 6-4. After a back-and-forth evening, Chicago had delivered two decisive blows before Detroit could respond.

For Savard, the opening goal remained a distinctive part of the performance. It came on the third penalty-shot opportunity of his NHL career and was the only one of his five attempts that he converted. On this night, that rare goal was the starting point for a three-goal effort against a longtime rival.

A Career-High 47 Goals

The hat trick was part of Savard’s best NHL season for goal scoring. He finished the 1985-86 regular season with a career-high 47 goals, the closest he came to reaching 50. He added four more in three playoff games, bringing his combined total to 51. His 116 regular-season points ranked seventh in the Art Ross Trophy race, although Wayne Gretzky’s extraordinary 215-point season left Savard, and the rest of the league, far behind.

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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Bryan Trottier Wins It With One Second Left Against the Flyers

With just one second remaining in regulation, Bryan Trottier completed an improbable New York Islanders comeback against the Philadelphia Flyers.

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Highlights

• January 17, 1986, at the Philadelphia Spectrum

• Flyers led 3-1 after two periods

• Mark Hamway started the Islanders’ comeback

• Brent Sutter tied the game at 3-3

• Bryan Trottier scored with one second remaining

• Mike Bossy and Greg Gilbert assisted on the winning goal

• Billy Smith made 21 saves in the 4-3 victory

• Trottier’s winner was his 21st goal of the season

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On January 17, 1986, the Flyers hosted the Islanders at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. The home team carried a comfortable 3-1 lead into the second intermission after goals from Brian Propp, Dave Poulin and Ilkka Sinisalo. Poulin’s goal came while Philadelphia was shorthanded.

The Islanders Rally in the Third Period

New York began its comeback just 2:20 into the third period. Mark Hamway scored his fourth goal of the 1985-86 season, assisted by Gord Dineen and Duane Sutter, to reduce the Flyers’ lead to one.

Just over ten minutes later, Duane’s brother Brent Sutter tied the game at 3-3. His ninth goal of the season beat Philadelphia goaltender Bob Froese, with Mikko Makela and Denis Potvin earning the assists.

Bryan Trottier Beats the Clock

With overtime appearing inevitable, Bryan Trottier delivered the winning goal at the last possible moment. Trottier scored his 21st of the season with only one second remaining, giving the Islanders a dramatic 4-3 victory. Mike Bossy and Greg Gilbert assisted on the goal, which came on Trottier’s third shot of the night.

Froese and Islanders goaltender Billy Smith each faced 24 shots, with “Battlin’ Billy” making one additional save. Bossy, Gilbert and Potvin recorded two points apiece for New York, while Mark Howe and Brian Propp did the same for Philadelphia. Tim Kerr led all players with six shots on goal but was kept off the scoresheet.

One second was all Bryan Trottier needed to turn a likely overtime game into an unforgettable Islanders victory.

All Roads Home: A Life On and Off the Ice

The autobiography of Bryan Trottier — his journey through hockey greatness and life beyond the rink.

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Miroslav Frycer’s Four-Goal Night Leads Maple Leafs Past Gretzky’s Oilers in 1986 Shootout

The mid-80s Edmonton Oilers were an offensive juggernaut, capable of lighting up the scoreboard at will. In 1985-86, they scored eight or more goals in a game 15 different times, including one with 13 and two with 12. But on January 8, 1986, inside Maple Leaf Gardens, they were stunned by the Toronto Maple Leafs in one of the wildest games of the decade.

Toronto, a team that had managed just 10 wins in 37 games up to that point, outgunned Wayne Gretzky and company in an 11-9 upset victory. The unlikely hero was Miroslav Frycer, who delivered the game of his life. Frycer scored four goals, his 14th through 17th of the season, including the game-winner at 10:51 of the third period.

The Leafs weren’t relying on Frycer alone. Wendel Clark, Russ Courtnall, Dan Hodgson and Steve Thomas all chipped in with three-point performances to fuel the offensive explosion. Goaltender Tim Bernhardt, despite surrendering nine goals on 31 shots, earned the win, one of only four victories he posted in his 23 appearances that season.

Amazingly, the Oilers still had players who outproduced Frycer on the scoresheet. Wayne Gretzky recorded a hat trick and three assists, while Jari Kurri notched a goal and five helpers, both finishing with six points apiece. Paul Coffey also had a four-point night.

For Frycer, it was a career milestone. The game marked his only four-goal performance in 415 NHL games. The 1985-86 season would be his best overall, with career highs of 32 goals, 43 assists, and 75 points. Over his NHL career (1981-89), Frycer suited up for the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Edmonton Oilers, with Toronto acquiring him from Quebec in 1982 in exchange for Wilf Paiement.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Miroslav Frycer

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

1. Miroslav Frycer scored the only four-goal game of his NHL career against which team in 1986?
   Detroit Red Wings
   Montreal Canadiens
   Edmonton Oilers
   Buffalo Sabres
   
2. Frycer was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1982 from which NHL team?
   Quebec Nordiques
   Detroit Red Wings
   New York Rangers
   Edmonton Oilers
   
3. What were Frycer’s career-high totals in points during the 1985-86 season?
   55 points
   65 points
   75 points
   85 points
   
4. Frycer played his final NHL season in 1988-89 with which team?
   Toronto Maple Leafs
   Detroit Red Wings
   Quebec Nordiques
   Edmonton Oilers
   
5. How many total NHL games did Miroslav Frycer play in his career?
   315
   415
   515
   615
   

3 Goals and 1 Fight: Wendel Clark’s Rookie Statement Game

On February 25, 1986, Toronto Maple Leafs fans witnessed a performance that would define the fiery rookie season of Wendel Clark, the franchise’s first-ever first overall draft pick.

Facing the higher-ranked New York Rangers at Maple Leaf Gardens, the Leafs quickly fell behind 2-0. But Clark and company stormed back in thrilling fashion to earn a 7-3 victory and the young forward played a starring role.

In a game that had everything, Wendel served five minutes for fighting after a heated scrap with RonGreschner. Just seconds after leaving the box, he netted his 24th goal of the season, the eventual game-winner, assisted by Russ Courtnall, who had a standout night himself with a goal and three helpers.

Clark wasn’t done. He added two more goals in the third period, his 25th and 26th of the season, both again set up by Courtnall to complete the hat trick. All seven Leafs goals were scored on John Vanbiesbrouck, with Clark’s third tally sending the goalie to the bench in favor of Glen Hanlon.

Clark wrapped up his 1985-86 rookie season with 34 goals and helped the Leafs win their first playoff series since 1979. He would finish second in Calder Trophy voting, just behind Gary Suter of the Calgary Flames.

About Wendel Clark

Wendel Clark played 793 regular season and 95 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1985-86 and 1999-00 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. He was originally a first overall pick by Toronto at the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.

Despite an injury plagued career that saw Wendel play just one full schedule, he totaled 330 regular season goals. Clark's career best came in 1993-94 when he scored 46 for the Maple Leafs in just 64 games.

Wendel Clark Rookie Game Trivia Quiz

The first set of trivia questions pertains to the content above. Following that, there's another short hockey trivia quiz for Wendel Clark's NHL career. 

There is much more NHL hockey trivia at our hockey trivia website!

1. How many goals did Wendel Clark score in the February 25, 1986 game against the Rangers?
   2
   3
   4
   5
   


2. Who did Wendel Clark fight in that game?
   Barry Beck
   Ron Greschner
   Ulf Samuelsson
   George McPhee
   


3. Which teammate assisted on all three of Clark’s goals that night?
   Russ Courtnall
   Gary Leeman
   Al Iafrate
   Steve Thomas
   


4. How many goals did Wendel Clark score in his rookie season?
   26
   34
   38
   40
   


5. Who won the Calder Trophy over Wendel Clark in 1985-86?
   Brian MacLellan
   Claude Lemieux
   Gary Suter
   Patrick Roy
   

Wendel Clark NHL Career Trivia Quiz

1. In what year was Wendel Clark selected 1st overall in the NHL Draft?
   1985
   1983
   1986
   1984
   


2. What position did Wendel Clark play for most of his NHL career?
   Left Wing
   Defense
   Center
   Right Wing
   


3. Wendel Clark was traded from the Leafs to which team in a blockbuster 1994 deal?
   Edmonton Oilers
   Quebec Nordiques
   New York Islanders
   Detroit Red Wings
   


4. What future superstar did the Leafs receive in return for Wendel Clark in 1994?
   Mats Sundin
   Joe Sakic
   Owen Nolan
   Mike Modano
   


5. How many times did Wendel Clark score 30 or more goals in an NHL season?
   1
   3
   5
   7