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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Frank Mahovlich and Lou Nanne Trade Hat Tricks at the Forum

When fans looked at a January 27, 1972 matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota North Stars, few would have predicted a personal scoring duel between Frank Mahovlich and Lou Nanne. Mahovlich was in the midst of a dominant 43-goal campaign for Montreal, while Nanne was enjoying the best offensive season of his NHL career, scoring 21 goals, the only time he ever reached the 20-goal mark.

That night at the Montreal Forum, both players delivered rare performances. Mahovlich, known as The Big M, recorded the 13th of his 14 career NHL hat tricks. Across the ice, Nanne produced the only three-goal game of his NHL career, making the contest an unexpected showcase of individual offense.

The game itself was evenly matched from the opening faceoff, and the scoreboard reflected it. The first period exploded for seven goals, with Minnesota holding a slim 4-3 lead after 20 minutes. After J.P. Parise gave the North Stars a 2-1 advantage at 5:32, the remainder of the period belonged entirely to Mahovlich and Nanne, who traded goals in rapid succession.

Nanne opened the exchange by scoring his 14th goal of the season at 7:40. Mahovlich answered just over a minute later with his 23rd, then struck again only 51 seconds after that. Not to be outdone, Nanne responded 32 seconds later with his second goal of the night. In the second period, Mahovlich completed his hat trick to make it 5-4 Minnesota, with all three goals set up by his brother, Pete Mahovlich. Frank also assisted on a Guy Lafleur goal, giving him a four-point night.

Lafleur tied the game 5-5 early in the third period with an unassisted goal on Cesare Maniago. But the final word belonged to Nanne, who scored his third of the night and the game-winner at 16:24, beating Phil Myre with help from Murray Oliver and Ted Harris. Nanne also finished with four points, having assisted earlier on a Dean Prentice goal. Between them, Mahovlich and Nanne fired 18 shots, with Mahovlich taking 10 and Nanne eight.

Lou Nanne: Hockey, Community, and Leadership

The story of Lou Nanne — NHL player, executive, and a central figure in Minnesota hockey.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Frank Mahovlich

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

1. Frank Mahovlich spent the largest portion of his NHL career with which team?

Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens
Detroit Red Wings
Pittsburgh Penguins

2. Which nickname was Frank Mahovlich commonly known by during his NHL career?

The Big M
Mr. Hockey
The Golden Jet
Captain Courageous

3. Frank Mahovlich won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in which season?

1958–59
1957–58
1959–60
1960–61

4. Including his time with Montreal, how many Stanley Cups did Frank Mahovlich win during his NHL career?

3
5
6
4

5. Frank Mahovlich was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in which category?

Player
Builder
Contributor
International

Gilles Meloche Faces 58 Shots in Madison Square Garden Showdown

On January 31, 1973, at Madison Square Garden, Gilles Meloche of the California Golden Seals delivered a spectacular goaltending performance, stopping 55 of 58 shots against the powerhouse New York Rangers. Despite the Golden Seals falling 3-1, Meloche’s effort was nothing short of heroic.

It was one of three games that season in which Meloche faced 50 or more shots, and one of 14 games with 40+ shots against. On this particular night, goals from Brad Park, Bobby Rousseau, and Steve Vickers, who also tallied two assists, were the only pucks to beat Meloche. The Seals’ lone goal came off the stick of Walt McKechnie. Meanwhile, Rangers goalie Gilles Villemure had a relatively easy night, needing to stop just 20 of 21 shots.

During the 1972-73 season, Meloche led the NHL in multiple workload categories:

• Games Played: 59
• Minutes Played: 3,467
• Shots Against: 2,041
• Saves: 1,806
• Goals Against: 235

Despite these grueling numbers, Meloche didn’t receive Hart Trophy consideration. That kind of recognition had previously been given to Al Rollins in 1953-54, another goalie who carried a poor team, the Chicago Blackhawks, to modest results.

Gilles Meloche went on to have a lengthy NHL career, playing 788 regular season games (20th all-time among goalies), but just 45 playoff appearances. He suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks, California Golden Seals, Cleveland Barons, Minnesota North Stars, and Pittsburgh Penguins between 1970-71 and 1987-88.

While he never played for a true Stanley Cup contender, Meloche remains a symbol of resilience and determination in net, especially during seasons like 1972-73 when the odds were stacked against him nearly every night.

Gilles Meloche And His One 1972-73 Shutout

It wasn't always a firing range with the California Golden Seals in that 1972-73 NHL season. On March 18, 1973, the Seals hosted the Minnesota North Stars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena. Meloche had to face just 20 shots in the match, turning them all away in a 2-0 shutout.

Joey Johnston scored what would be the game winner just 50 seconds into the game, assisted by Craig Patrick. Stan Weir sealed the deal with an insurance marker late in the third, assisted by Reg Leach and Pete Laframboise. For Meloche, it was his only blank of the season. Gilles Gilbert made a valiant effort in net for the North Stars, stopping 35 of 37 shots.