When the Buffalo Sabres visited the Capital Centre on December 22, 1974, all eyes were on the famed French Connection. Washington’s expansion Capitals keyed in on slowing Gilbert Perreault, René Robert, and Rick Martin. For the most part, they succeeded. What they didn’t account for was the damage done by Buffalo’s secondary line.
With Washington desperate for just its fourth win in the first 35 games of its inaugural season, and the Sabres rolling with only six losses in their first 33 contests of 1974-75, holding Buffalo to four goals was an achievement in itself. But one Sabre made those four count. Don Luce.
Luce, skating alongside Craig Ramsay and Bill Hajt, recorded the only hat trick of his NHL career in a dominant two-period stretch. He first contributed with an assist on the game-winning goal, a shorthanded marker by Ramsay at 19:53 of the opening period. Then came the second.
At 9:59, Luce opened the scoring himself, netting his 17th goal of the season at even strength, the only even-strength tally of the game. With Gilbert Perreault in the penalty box later in the period, Luce struck again, this time shorthanded at 13:25, beating Ron Low with help from Ramsay.
Just 23 seconds later, with Perreault still serving his minor, Luce completed the hat trick. This time, Bill Hajt picked up the assist as Luce capped off a rare offensive outburst. That would be all the scoring on the night. Gary Bromley stopped all 27 shots he faced to earn the shutout, while Low made 37 saves in a losing effort for Washington.
The performance came during a career season for Luce, who finished 1974-75 with 33 goals and 43 assists for 76 points. He added 13 more points in 16 playoff games as the Sabres marched to the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers.
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Buy on AmazonAbout Don Luce
Don Luce played 894 regular season and 71 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1969-70 and 1981-82 with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Luce had 20+ goals in six seasons, putting up a career best 33 in 1974-75 with Buffalo.
Don Luce NHL Career Stats
Regular Season
Playoffs
