Two While Short: Reggie Fleming’s Shorthanded Heroics vs. Toronto in 1964

On October 22, 1964, at the legendary Boston Garden, Reggie Fleming delivered one of the most unusual performances of his career. In just his first season with the Boston Bruins, Fleming scored both Boston goals and remarkably, both came while the team was shorthanded in a 2-2 tie with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 1964-65 season would prove to be Fleming’s most productive offensively. After scoring a combined 21 goals over four seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, he found a new gear in Boston, finishing the year with a career-best 18 goals. Known primarily for his rugged style, he recorded 136 penalty minutes in 67 games, Fleming showed that he could do more than just play the enforcer’s role.

His first goal came at 12:25 of the opening period, beating Toronto goaltender Johnny Bower while Boston was killing a high-sticking penalty to Leo Boivin. Forbes Kennedy earned the assist on the play. Fleming struck again at 9:38 of the second period, this time unassisted, while Tom Johnson sat in the penalty box for hooking. The two shorthanded goals gave Boston a 2-0 lead and accounted for all of their scoring on the night.

Toronto responded before the second period ended when Andy Bathgate solved Bruins netminder Eddie Johnston. In the third period, Bob Pulford tied the game at 9:07 to secure a 2-2 draw. The result gave Boston its first point of the young 1964-65 NHL season.

In a twist fitting the era’s rough-and-tumble reputation, it was actually a relatively disciplined game. Aside from the two Boston penalties that led to Fleming’s goals, the only other infraction was an interference call against Johnston late in the third. Fleming led the Bruins with five of their 24 shots on Bower, while Johnston faced 36 shots at the other end, including five from defenseman Tim Horton. It was a gritty, opportunistic effort that set the tone for Fleming’s best offensive season in Boston.

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1965-66 NHL Team Leaders

The Montreal Canadiens dominated the 1965-66 National Hockey League season. The Habs finished first overall in the six team league, eight points ahead of second place Chicago. Montreal then swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before capturing the championship in six games against the fourth seed Detroit Red Wings.

Bobby Hull – Chicago Black Hawks

Bobby Hull not only led the Chicago Black Hawks but finished atop the whole NHL with 97 points, capturing the Art Ross Trophy. Hull’s 97 points set an NHL record for most points in a season, eclipsing the previous mark of 96 set by Dickie Moore of Montreal in 1958-59.

Bobby Rousseau – Montreal Canadiens

Leading the Montreal Canadiens with a career high of 78 points and finishing tied for second in the league was Bobby Rousseau. Bobby played in the NHL from 1960-61 to 1974-75 with the Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars and New York Rangers. His next highest point total came in 1968-69 when he totalled 70 with the Habs.

Gordie Howe – Detroit Red Wings

Gordie Howe occupied a familiar spot, leading the Detroit Red Wings in points with 75. Howe was fifth in the race for the Art Ross Trophy and had just three more points than teammate Norm Ullman. However, Ullman proved more of a factor in the Red Wings reaching the Stanley Cup final with 15 playoff points compared to Howe’s 10.

Bob Nevin – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers finished last in the NHL in 1965-66, one point behind the Boston Bruins and 27 points out of a playoff position. Bob Nevin led the club with 62 points. Nevin played in the NHL from 1960-61 to 1975-76 and would only total more points on one other occasion. In 1974-75, with the Los Angeles Kings, Bob contributed 72 points. Of course, the regular season was ten games longer that year than in 1965-66.

Murray Oliver – Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins had the least goals for and the most goals against in 1965-66. Leading the way for Bruins was Murray Oliver with 60 points. Oliver played in the NHL from 1959-60 to 1974-75 with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota North Stars. In fact, Oliver and Bobby Rousseau were teammates with the North Stars for the 1970-71 season.

Frank Mahovlich and Bob Pulford – Toronto Maple Leafs

As was the way with the ‘Original 6’ era Toronto Maple Leafs, individual scoring numbers were never exceptionally high. In 1965-66, Frank Mahovlich and Bob Pulford tied for the team lead with just 56 points each. Dave Keon was just two points behind with 54. It was a career high for Pulford but a mediocre season for Mahovlich.