On October 20, 1983, at the Forum in Los Angeles, Bernie Nicholls delivered one of the most explosive performances of his career. The Los Angeles Kings were 0-5-1 entering their seventh game of the 1983-84 NHL season, while the Edmonton Oilers had stormed out to seven straight wins.
By the end of the night, Nicholls had flipped the script entirely. The Kings crushed the previously undefeated Oilers 7-2, powered by a four-goal, six-point masterpiece from Nicholls and a rock-solid performance in goal by Mike Blake.
A First Period Statement
Nicholls opened the scoring early, beating Andy Moog at even strength. He wasn’t finished. With Jari Kurri serving a slashing minor late in the period, Nicholls struck again on the power play at 18:29 to give L.A. full momentum heading into intermission.Two goals. One period. Statement made.
Short-Handed Dagger
Midway through the second period, Nicholls delivered the backbreaker, a shorthanded goal with just three seconds remaining on teammate Wes Jarvis’ penalty. It was a perfectly timed strike that stunned Edmonton and showcased Nicholls’ all-situations dominance.
Sealing It In The Third
At 14:54 of the third period, Nicholls buried his fourth goal of the night, his eighth of the young season, assisted by Jim Fox and Brian MacLellan. Fox enjoyed a huge night himself, scoring the game-winning goal and adding three assists for four points. MacLellan contributed a goal and two helpers. Nicholls, in turn, assisted on goals by both Fox and MacLellan to complete his six-point effort.
Gretzky Held (Mostly) In Check
Wayne Gretzky managed just a single goal against Kings netminder Mike Blake, who turned aside 36 of 38 shots in a busy, confident performance. Ironically, just five years later, Nicholls and Gretzky would become teammates in Los Angeles and combine for a staggering 318 points during the 1988-89 season.
Bernie Nicholls: From Flood Lights To Bright Lights
The story of Bernie Nicholls — from grassroots hockey under the floodlights to NHL stardom and scoring success.
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