The Only Goalie to Shut Out the 1976-77 Canadiens? Mike Palmateer

The Montreal Canadiens were a daunting opponent in 1976-77, but a Toronto rookie managed something no other NHL goaltender accomplished against them that regular season. On November 17, 1976, Mike Palmateer stopped all 39 shots he faced at Maple Leaf Gardens, giving the Maple Leafs a 1-0 victory. The goalie known as the “Popcorn Kid” was playing just his ninth NHL game.

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Highlights

• Montreal’s only shutout loss of the 1976-77 regular season.

• Palmateer was playing just his ninth NHL game.

• Toronto won 1-0 at Maple Leaf Gardens on November 17, 1976.

• Lanny McDonald scored at 8:26 of the first period.

• Palmateer stopped 39 shots; Ken Dryden made 29 saves.

• Steve Shutt and Brian Glennie fought in the second period.

• Palmateer had also shut out Vancouver in his previous appearance.

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Lanny McDonald supplied all the offence Toronto needed at 8:26 of the first period. His 14th goal of the season, assisted by Darryl Sittler and Ian Turnbull, beat Ken Dryden and stood as the game winner. Dryden was nearly unbeatable himself, stopping 29 of Toronto’s 30 shots.

Montreal kept Palmateer busy throughout the night, including a 16-shot third period as the Canadiens searched for the equalizer. Guy Lapointe led the visitors with six shots, while Steve Shutt and Réjean Houle contributed five apiece. At the other end, defenceman Börje Salming paced the Maple Leafs with six shots on Dryden.

There was also a second-period confrontation between two former Toronto Marlboros. Shutt and Toronto defenceman Brian Glennie dropped the gloves, receiving fighting majors at 3:41. With the only goal already on the scoreboard, the rest of the evening belonged to the goaltenders.

Remarkably, Palmateer’s performance against Montreal was his second consecutive shutout. Four nights earlier, on November 13, he had stopped all 30 shots in a 3-0 road victory over the Vancouver Canucks at the Pacific Coliseum. Bob Neely, Pat Boutette and Inge Hammarström each scored against Cesare Maniago. Just nine games into his NHL career, Palmateer already had back-to-back shutouts and one came against a Canadiens team nobody else would blank during the regular season.

Top Shelf Trivia: The Toronto Maple Leafs

Test your knowledge of one of hockey’s most storied franchises with this collection of challenging and fun Toronto Maple Leafs trivia covering players, games, and unforgettable moments.

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Toronto’s “Other Swede” Shines: Inge Hammarstrom’s 5-Point Night Powers Leafs Rout

When discussing Swedish pioneers in Toronto Maple Leafs history, Borje Salming is usually the first name that comes to mind. But during the same era, another Swede quietly carved out a strong NHL career: Inge Hammarstrom.

• Inge Hammarstrom records a career-best 5-point night (1 goal, 4 assists)
• Game played February 12, 1977 at Maple Leaf Gardens
• Toronto defeats the Washington Capitals in a dominant 10-0 rout
• Hammarstrom scores his 18th goal of the 1976-77 season
• Goal assisted by Darryl Sittler and Borje Salming
• Adds assists on goals by Sittler (2), Kurt Walker, and Lanny McDonald
• Bernie Wolfe allows 5 goals on 11 shots before being pulled
• Ron Low gives up 5 more goals on 26 shots in relief
• Mike Palmateer earns shutout with 30 saves
• Sittler and McDonald each post 4-point games (2 goals, 2 assists)
• Ian Turnbull contributes 4 assists
• Only Bob Neely and Palmateer held without a point
• Tiger Williams records a goal and a fight, just missing a Gordie Howe hat trick

Joining the Leafs in the 1973-74 season, Hammarstrom never enjoyed the same spotlight as Salming. Criticized at times for a perceived lack of physicality, he still produced consistently, including a 20-goal rookie season and three additional 20+ goal campaigns over his six-year NHL tenure.

On February 12, 1977, at Maple Leaf Gardens, Hammarstrom delivered the best performance of his career in a lopsided matchup against the Washington Capitals.

The game was effectively decided early. Capitals goaltender Bernie Wolfe surrendered five goals on just eleven shots in the first period before being replaced by Ron Low, who allowed five more over the remaining two periods.

Hammarstrom led the offensive charge with a goal and four assists for a five-point night. His lone goal, his 18th of the 1976-77 season, came late in the first period, assisted by Darryl Sittler and Salming. He went on to add helpers on two Sittler goals, as well as tallies by Kurt Walker and Lanny McDonald.

In goal, Mike Palmateer was flawless, stopping all 30 shots he faced to secure the shutout in the 10-0 victory.

Toronto’s offensive dominance didn’t stop with Hammarstrom. Sittler and McDonald each recorded four-point games with two goals and two assists, while Ian Turnbull contributed four assists. Only Bob Neely and Palmateer were held off the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Tiger Williams nearly completed a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, registering a goal and a fight with Bill Riley, but falling just short of adding an assist.

The King (Borje Salming)

A compelling look at the life and legacy of Borje Salming — one of hockey’s most respected trailblazers and legendary defensemen.

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