Eddie Shack’s First Hat Trick Powers Leafs Past Blackhawks in 1963

On January 6, 1963, the Toronto Maple Leafs walked into the Chicago Stadium and skated out with two points, courtesy of a convincing 5-1 victory over the powerful Chicago Blackhawks. The night belonged to Eddie Shack and Red Kelly, who combined for eight points, with Shack recording the first hat trick of his NHL career.

Toronto opened the scoring early when Dave Keon beat Glenn Hall just 4:05 into the first period. Keon’s goal, set up by George Armstrong, gave the Leafs immediate momentum in a hostile building. Later in the opening frame, Eddie Shack struck for his ninth goal of the 1962-63 season, finishing a play started by Red Kelly and Tim Horton. That goal would stand as the game-winner.

The Leafs extended their lead late in the second period when Red Kelly scored his eighth of the season, with assists going to Shack and Frank Mahovlich. By that point, Toronto was firmly in control.

The third period turned into the Eddie Shack show. Known affectionately as “Eddie the Entertainer,” Shack scored twice more to complete his hat trick and push the Leafs ahead 5-0. Red Kelly assisted on both goals, giving him four points on the night. Pierre Pilote finally spoiled the shutout by scoring Chicago’s lone goal late in the game, capping the scoring.

What made the performance even more impressive was the efficiency. Kelly scored on his only shot of the game, while Shack scored three times on four shots. For two players who typically hovered around a 10 percent shooting rate, it was a remarkably clinical night and a memorable one in Maple Leafs history.

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Tim Horton Sets Defensive Milestone With Record-Breaking Game-Winner In 1964

The Toronto Maple Leafs arrived at Madison Square Garden on March 15, 1964, for a key matchup against the New York Rangers, and Tim Horton made sure the night would be remembered. Early in the third period, Horton fired a shot past Rangers goaltender Jacques Plante, with Dave Keon and Allan Stanley picking up the assists.

The timing of the goal made it even more dramatic. Just seven seconds earlier, Jim Neilson had tied the game at 1-1. While it wasn’t a record for the fastest pair of goals, Horton’s marker at 1:34 of the third period proved to be the decisive one, standing up as the game-winner.

That goal was Horton’s seventh game-winning goal of the 1963-64 season, setting a new NHL record for most game-winning goals by a defenseman. The previous mark had belonged to Baldy Northcott of the Montreal Maroons, who recorded six game-winners during the 1932-33 season, more than three decades earlier.

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Horton’s achievement was even more impressive considering his offensive role. Seven of his nine goals that season turned out to be game-winners, a remarkable ratio for a defenseman in the Original Six era. The record would later be tied several times before finally being surpassed by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who scored eight game-winning goals for the Arizona Coyotes in 2015-16.

The 1963–64 season also marked one of Horton’s finest individual campaigns. He finished second in Norris Trophy voting behind Pierre Pilote of the Chicago Blackhawks, the first of two times Horton would place runner-up for the award. While his seven game-winning goals were a defensive record, they also tied him for third overall in the NHL that season, trailing only Bernie Geoffrion of the Montreal Canadiens and Ken Wharram of the Chicago Blackhawks.

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About Tim Horton

Tim Horton played 1,445 regular season and 126 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1949-50 and 1973-74 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. The four-time Stanley Cup champion was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.

Tim Horton NHL Stats

Regular Season

Playoffs

Miroslav Frycer’s Four-Goal Night Leads Maple Leafs Past Gretzky’s Oilers in 1986 Shootout

The mid-80s Edmonton Oilers were an offensive juggernaut, capable of lighting up the scoreboard at will. In 1985-86, they scored eight or more goals in a game 15 different times, including one with 13 and two with 12. But on January 8, 1986, inside Maple Leaf Gardens, they were stunned by the Toronto Maple Leafs in one of the wildest games of the decade.

Toronto, a team that had managed just 10 wins in 37 games up to that point, outgunned Wayne Gretzky and company in an 11-9 upset victory. The unlikely hero was Miroslav Frycer, who delivered the game of his life. Frycer scored four goals, his 14th through 17th of the season, including the game-winner at 10:51 of the third period.

The Leafs weren’t relying on Frycer alone. Wendel Clark, Russ Courtnall, Dan Hodgson and Steve Thomas all chipped in with three-point performances to fuel the offensive explosion. Goaltender Tim Bernhardt, despite surrendering nine goals on 31 shots, earned the win, one of only four victories he posted in his 23 appearances that season.

Amazingly, the Oilers still had players who outproduced Frycer on the scoresheet. Wayne Gretzky recorded a hat trick and three assists, while Jari Kurri notched a goal and five helpers, both finishing with six points apiece. Paul Coffey also had a four-point night.

For Frycer, it was a career milestone. The game marked his only four-goal performance in 415 NHL games. The 1985-86 season would be his best overall, with career highs of 32 goals, 43 assists, and 75 points. Over his NHL career (1981-89), Frycer suited up for the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Edmonton Oilers, with Toronto acquiring him from Quebec in 1982 in exchange for Wilf Paiement.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Miroslav Frycer

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

1. Miroslav Frycer scored the only four-goal game of his NHL career against which team in 1986?
   Detroit Red Wings
   Montreal Canadiens
   Edmonton Oilers
   Buffalo Sabres
   
2. Frycer was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1982 from which NHL team?
   Quebec Nordiques
   Detroit Red Wings
   New York Rangers
   Edmonton Oilers
   
3. What were Frycer’s career-high totals in points during the 1985-86 season?
   55 points
   65 points
   75 points
   85 points
   
4. Frycer played his final NHL season in 1988-89 with which team?
   Toronto Maple Leafs
   Detroit Red Wings
   Quebec Nordiques
   Edmonton Oilers
   
5. How many total NHL games did Miroslav Frycer play in his career?
   315
   415
   515
   615
   

Bruce Boudreau’s Lone NHL Hat Trick Comes Against the Minnesota North Stars

When most hockey fans think of Bruce Boudreau, it’s for his work behind the bench rather than on the ice. But on December 16, 1977, “Gabby” had the best game of his NHL playing career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boudreau had proven his scoring touch in junior with the Toronto Marlboros (68 goals) and in the AHL with the St. Catharines Saints (50 goals). In the NHL, his best season came in 1977-78 when he tallied 11. Three of those came on one memorable night in Minnesota.

The Leafs were flying high early that season while the North Stars were struggling badly. Toronto rolled to an 8-5 win, and Boudreau was the star.

• His first goal came at 12:00 of the second period, assisted by Börje Salming and Tiger Williams, putting Toronto ahead 3-1.

• Just minutes later, Ron Ellis and Salming set up his second to make it 4-2.

• Early in the third, with Minnesota’s Tom Younghans in the box for hooking, Boudreau buried his hat trick goal on the power play for what proved to be the game-winner.

Salming finished with five assists, three of them on Boudreau’s goals, while Toronto peppered Pete LoPresti with 37 shots.

Boudreau would go on to play 141 regular season and nine playoff games in the NHL with Toronto and Chicago. His legacy, however, would be built as a coach, where he won championships in the ECHL and AHL and became one of the most colorful personalities behind an NHL bench, even if a Stanley Cup title still eludes him.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Bruce Boudreau

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

1. In which season did Bruce Boudreau score his only NHL hat trick?
   1976-77
   1977-78
   1978-79
   1979-80
   
2. Which Hall of Fame defenseman assisted on all three of Boudreau’s goals in that hat trick game?
   Börje Salming
   Brad Park
   Denis Potvin
   Larry Robinson
   
3. How many regular season NHL games did Bruce Boudreau play in his career?
   99
   141
   184
   201
   
4. As an NHL head coach, which team gave Bruce Boudreau his first coaching job?
   Anaheim Ducks
   Minnesota Wild
   Washington Capitals
   Vancouver Canucks
   
5. Which nickname has followed Bruce Boudreau throughout his career?
   Gabby
   Boom Boom
   Chopper
   Moose
   

Gerry Cheevers Shuts Out Maple Leafs for First NHL Blank in 1966

Before he became one of the NHL’s most recognizable goaltenders, complete with his trademark mask artwork, Gerry Cheevers was just a rookie fighting for a spot on a struggling Boston Bruins team. By the end of his career, Cheevers would rack up 26 shutouts, most of them during the Bruins’ powerhouse years, but the very first came on November 10, 1966, against the defending Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs.

Cheevers had a brief history with Toronto, appearing in two games for the Maple Leafs back in 1961-62. By the start of the 1966-67 season, he had just seven NHL games under his belt. The Bruins, despite boasting future stars like rookie Bobby Orr, were still a last-place club searching for brighter days.

That night at the Boston Garden, Cheevers was unbeatable. He stopped all 31 shots he faced, including some prime scoring chances from Toronto’s veteran forwards. Murray Oliver made life easier for his young netminder by scoring the game-winning goal just 1:17 into the first period. Johnny Bucyk, Pit Martin, and Wayne Connelly added insurance markers, giving Boston a 4-0 win.

Remarkably, the Bruins managed just 23 shots of their own, but made the most of them. Toronto starter Terry Sawchuk surrendered three goals on 18 shots before being replaced by Bruce Gamble for the third period, who allowed one goal on five shots.

It was a rare high point in a rough year for Boston, one of only 17 wins all season, and their lone shutout victory. The team also suffered through several lopsided losses, including an 11-2 drubbing by Montreal and a 10-2 loss to Chicago. But change was coming fast. Just three seasons later, Cheevers, Orr, and the Bruins would be Stanley Cup champions.

About Gerry Cheevers

Between 1961-62 and 1979-80, Gerry Cheevers played 418 regular season and 88 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. In the WHA, he appeared in 191 regular season and 19 playoff games between 1972-73 and 1975-76, all with the Cleveland Crusaders. Gerry was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Gerry Cheevers

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

1. How many career NHL shutouts did Gerry Cheevers record?

18
26
31

2. Before joining the Boston Bruins full-time, Cheevers briefly played for which NHL team?

Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
New York Rangers

3. In addition to his NHL career, Cheevers was also a star goaltender in which rival league during the 1970s?

World Hockey Association (WHA)
International Hockey League (IHL)
American Hockey League (AHL)

4. Gerry Cheevers is famous for his goalie mask design, which featured what unique artwork?

Team logo pattern
Stitches marking where pucks had hit his mask
Flames across the front

5. How many Stanley Cups did Cheevers win as a player with the Boston Bruins?

One
Two
Three

NHL Hockey Card Greats: Gerry Cheevers [Video]

Dave Keon’s Six-Point Explosion Powers Leafs Over First-Place Red Wings in 1964

On December 5, 1964, the Toronto Maple Leafs faced off against the league-leading Detroit Red Wings at Maple Leaf Gardens. Though Detroit sat comfortably atop the NHL standings, 13 points ahead of the fourth-place Leafs, the night belonged to Dave Keon.

Keon, a cornerstone of the Leafs dynasty, delivered one of the most dominant performances of his career, scoring two goals and adding four assists for a total of six points. That single game accounted for 12% of his total points for the 1964-65 season, in which he finished with 50.

Toronto opened with a modest 2-1 lead after the first period, with Keon held off the scoresheet. But the second period turned into a Blue and White clinic. The Leafs scored four more before Detroit’s Norm Ullman, a future Maple Leaf himself, added the Wings’ second and final tally of the night. Keon assisted on goals by Jim Pappin and Ron Ellis during the frame.

In the third period, Keon put on a show. Just 21 seconds in, he and Red Kelly assisted on Andy Bathgate’s goal. Then came two goals of his own before assisting on Ellis’s second of the game at 13:06.

Bathgate had a four-point night himself (1G, 3A), leading the team with six shots on goal. Toronto outshot Detroit 41-36, with rookie Roger Crozier under siege in the Wings’ net. At the other end, former Red Wing Terry Sawchuk made 34 saves in his third appearance against his former club since joining the Leafs in the off-season. Only Pit Martin and Ullman managed to beat him.

About Dave Keon

Dave Keon played 1,296 regular season and 92 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1960-61 and 1981-82 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Hartford Whalers. The four-time Stanley Cup champion was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1966-67.

Starting with his Calder Trophy winning 1960-61 NHL season, Keon scored at least 20 goals eleven times. His career best of 38 was scored in 1970-71 with the Maple Leafs, placing him tied for sixth in the league with Gilbert Perreault of the Buffalo Sabres.

Between 1975-76 and 1978-79, Dave played an additional 301 regular season and 36 playoff games in the WHA with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Indianapolis Racers and New England Whalers. Keon was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986.

NHL Hockey Card Legends: Dave Keon

Penalty Kill Perfection: Dave Keon Nets a Hat Trick (Including 2 SHG) in 1970

On December 2, 1970, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dave Keon put on a penalty-killing clinic at Maple Leaf Gardens and turned it into a hat trick showcase.

Facing the Los Angeles Kings, Keon scored two shorthanded goals and added a third at even strength, powering the Leafs to a dominant 7-0 victory. His first shorty came in the second period while Jim Harrison was in the box for elbowing. George Armstrong, "The Chief", in his final NHL season, provided the assist as Keon beat Jack Norris at 9:36.

Then, early in the third, Keon struck again on the penalty kill, this time assisted by Billy MacMillan while Paul Henderson was off for tripping. He finished off the hat trick midway through the final frame with a five-on-five tally from Mike Pelyk and Garry Monahan.

Veteran goalie Jacques Plante turned aside 35 shots for the shutout, and Ron Ellis chipped in with two goals and an assist. Even Armstrong, nearing the end of his storied career, notched a pair of helpers.

This game marked just the seventh win in the Leafs' first 23 games of the 1970–71 season. But Keon’s inspired play was a bright spot in a rough start.

Over his Hall of Fame career, Keon scored 32 shorthanded goals, placing him in a four-way tie for 17th all-time alongside Peter Bondra, Bobby Clarke, and Joe Sakic. His eight SHG in 1970–71 tied him for the league lead with Boston’s Ed Westfall and Don Marcotte.

About Dave Keon  

Dave Keon played 1,296 regular season and 92 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1960-61 and 1981-82 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Hartford Whalers. He also played 301 regular season and 36 playoff games in the WHA between 1975-7 and 1978-79 with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Indianapolis Racers and New England Whalers.

A four time Stanley Cup champion with the Maple Leafs, Keon won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 1960-61. In the following two seasons, he was the recipient of the Lady Byng Trophy. Dave was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in Toronto's 1966-67 run to the Stanley Cup championship. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986 and his jersey number 14 has been retired by the Maple Leafs.

NHL Hockey Card Legends: Dave Keon [Video]