The gap between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins couldn’t have been wider heading into the 1962-63 NHL season. Montreal had just finished atop the standings with 42 wins and 98 points in 1961-62, while Boston languished in last place with only 15 victories. On paper, the season opener looked like a mismatch. On the ice, it told a very different story.
Highlights
Bruins stunned Canadiens 5-0 in 1962-63 season opener
Johnny Bucyk scored twice and added an assist
Bucyk’s opening goal came just 4:23 into the first period
Doug Mohns recorded 2 goals and 1 assist
Bob Perreault made 28 saves for a shutout in his 10th NHL game
Game played at Boston Garden on October 11, 1962
Bruins won just 1 of their first 17 games after opener
Boston finished season with only 14 wins despite hot start
On October 11, 1962, at Boston Garden, the Bruins stunned the hockey world with a dominant 5-0 victory. Johnny Bucyk wasted no time setting the tone, scoring the game-winning goal just 4:23 into the first period against legendary goaltender Jacques Plante. Bucyk added another goal later in the game and chipped in an assist, finishing with a three-point performance that energized the home crowd.
Boston’s offensive push didn’t stop there. Doug Mohns delivered a standout performance of his own, recording two goals and an assist. Contributions from players like Wayne Connelly and Murray Oliver helped round out a relentless Bruins attack that overwhelmed Montreal from start to finish.
In goal, Bob Perreault authored one of the most surprising performances of the night. Appearing in just his tenth NHL game, and his first since the 1958-59 season, Perreault turned aside all 28 shots he faced to secure the shutout. Though his NHL career was brief, he built a remarkable legacy in the minors, capturing four Calder Cup championships in the AHL and another title with the San Francisco Seals in the WHL.
As memorable as the victory was, it proved to be a rare bright spot for Boston that season. The Bruins would go on to win just one of their first 17 games and finished the 1962-63 campaign with only 14 victories, one fewer than the previous year. Against Montreal, Boston managed just two wins in 14 meetings, including a narrow 2-1 triumph on Valentine’s Day, underscoring how fleeting that opening-night magic truly was.
Boston Bruins: Greatest Moments and Players
A celebration of the iconic history of the Boston Bruins — from legendary players to unforgettable moments.
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