Glenn Anderson Bookends Record 12-Goal Period Between Oilers and Blackhawks

The Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks produced one of the wildest periods in NHL history on December 11, 1985. Playing at Chicago Stadium, the two high-powered clubs combined for a record 12 goals in the second period of a game that eventually ended with Edmonton winning 12-9.

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Highlights

• Edmonton defeated Chicago 12-9 on December 11, 1985.

• The Oilers led 4-0 after the first period.

• Edmonton and Chicago combined for 12 goals in the second period.

• Glenn Anderson scored both the first and last goals of the second period.

• Anderson finished with a hat trick and six points.

• Jari Kurri scored three goals, with Anderson assisting on all three.

• Wayne Gretzky recorded seven assists without scoring a goal.

• The teams combined for 21 goals in the game.

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The Oilers had already built a commanding 4-0 lead during the opening period. Glenn Anderson scored his 21st goal of the 1985-86 season as part of that early Edmonton outburst. However, the four goals in the first were merely a warm-up for what followed.

Anderson opened the incredible second-period scoring just 1:20 into the frame, netting his 22nd of the season with assists from Wayne Gretzky and Don Jackson. Over the next 18½ minutes, ten different players found the net as Chicago scored six times and Edmonton added four more. Remarkably, Anderson then finished what he had started. With just ten seconds remaining in the period, he completed his hat trick with assists from Gretzky and Paul Coffey. Edmonton headed to the dressing room leading 10-6 after the teams had combined for 12 goals in 20 minutes.

By comparison, the third period was relatively quiet, although the teams still combined for another five goals. Chicago scored three and Edmonton added two to give the Oilers a remarkable 12-9 victory. Anderson also assisted on three Jari Kurri goals, giving him three goals and three assists for a six-point night. Gretzky didn't score a goal but still finished with an incredible seven assists.

The goaltending statistics reflected the offensive chaos. Edmonton used both Andy Moog and Grant Fuhr, who combined to face 46 Chicago shots. Murray Bannerman surrendered ten goals on 36 shots over the first two periods for the Blackhawks. Bob Sauvé took over for the third and stopped six of eight. By night's end, the teams had combined for 21 goals, but it was that extraordinary 12-goal second period, opened and closed by Glenn Anderson, that earned the game its place in NHL history.

The Battle of Alberta: The Historic Rivalry Between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames

A deep dive into one of hockey’s most intense rivalries — the Edmonton Oilers vs. the Calgary Flames, featuring unforgettable games, personalities, and playoff clashes.

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Mark Messier and Dave Lumley Set an NHL Record in 1981-82 (Wayne Gretzky Made History Too)

On March 28, 1982, hockey fans witnessed one of the most famous goals in NHL history when Wayne Gretzky scored his record-breaking 92nd goal of the season against the Los Angeles Kings. More than four decades later, it remains one of the sport’s most untouchable records.

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Highlights

• Wayne Gretzky scored his historic 92nd goal of the 1981-82 season

• Mark Messier scored just 14 seconds into the game

• Dave Lumley added another goal only 10 seconds later

• Edmonton set an NHL record with two goals in the first 24 seconds

• Glenn Anderson scored twice in the opening period

• Kings goalie Doug Keans allowed four goals on seven shots

• The Oilers defeated Los Angeles 6-2 at the Forum

• Dave Lumley finished with two points and 14 penalty minutes

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But before Gretzky made history at the Forum in Los Angeles, the Edmonton Oilers had already set another NHL record that still stands today.

Just 14 seconds into the opening period, Mark Messier beat Kings goaltender Doug Keans for his 47th goal of the season, with Lee Fogolin picking up the assist. Before the crowd had time to settle back into their seats, Dave Lumley struck just ten seconds later, scoring his 31st of the year with help from Kevin Lowe.

The two Edmonton goals came within the first 24 seconds of the game, establishing a new NHL record for the fastest two goals by one team to begin a game. The previous record of 29 seconds had been set by the Pittsburgh Penguins only one season earlier.

Things only got worse for Los Angeles from there. Glenn Anderson scored twice in the opening period, including one at the 10:51 mark that made it 4-0 Edmonton. After surrendering four goals on just seven shots, Keans was replaced by Mike Blake. Blake settled things down by stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced, but the Oilers offense had already taken control.

Messier later added his second goal of the game, and then came the moment hockey history remembers best. At 1:50 of the third period, Gretzky fired home goal number 92, surpassing the previous single-season record in unforgettable fashion. The Oilers cruised to a 6-2 victory.

Lumley’s stat line from the game was one of the more unusual of the season. Despite recording only one shot on goal, he scored once and added an assist on Messier’s second tally for a two-point night. He also piled up 14 penalty minutes in the third period and finished tied with Matti Hagman for the team lead at plus-three.

The Battle of Alberta: The Historic Rivalry Between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames

A deep dive into one of hockey’s most intense rivalries — the Edmonton Oilers vs. the Calgary Flames, featuring unforgettable games, personalities, and playoff clashes.

Buy on Amazon

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!