Al MacAdam Scores the Only Penalty Shot Goal in Cleveland Barons History

During their brief time in the NHL, the Cleveland Barons had just one chance at a penalty shot and it came courtesy of Prince Edward Island’s own Al MacAdam. On December 16, 1976, in a road matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, MacAdam was awarded the rare opportunity after being tripped on a breakaway by Russ Anderson.

At 9:23 of the second period, MacAdam made the most of it, firing the puck past Penguins goalie Denis Herron to tie the game 3-3. It was his eighth goal of the season and marked a moment of franchise history, the only successful penalty shot ever recorded by the Cleveland Barons.

MacAdam wasn’t finished there. He added another goal in the third period, assisted by Dennis Maruk and Mike Christie, once again tying the game, this time at 4-4. Unfortunately, just 39 seconds later, Pierre Larouche buried the game-winner for Pittsburgh, sealing a 5-4 Penguins victory.

Jean Pronovost led the way for the Penguins that night with a four-point performance, two goals and two assists, while adding a shorthanded tally set up by Syl Apps.

Though the Barons’ history was short-lived, MacAdam’s effort stood out. Across his 864 game NHL career, he proved a model of consistency and leadership with the Philadelphia Flyers, California Golden Seals, Cleveland Barons, Minnesota North Stars, and Vancouver Canucks.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Al MacAdam

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

1. Al MacAdam was originally drafted by which NHL team in 1972?

California Golden Seals
Philadelphia Flyers
Minnesota North Stars
Cleveland Barons

2. MacAdam scored the only penalty shot goal in Cleveland Barons history during a 1976 game against which team?

Chicago Blackhawks
Pittsburgh Penguins
St. Louis Blues
New York Rangers

3. Al MacAdam’s best NHL season came with the Minnesota North Stars in 1979-80. How many points did he record that year?

55
63
93
78

4. MacAdam won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 1979-80. What does this award recognize?

The league’s top scorer
The player showing perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey
The best defensive forward
The league’s most gentlemanly player

5. Over his NHL career, Al MacAdam played for five different teams. Which of the following was not one of them?

Philadelphia Flyers
Vancouver Canucks
California Golden Seals
Boston Bruins

Syl Apps Explodes For Six Points As Islanders Suffer Rough Start

When the New York Islanders entered the NHL for the 1972-73 season, few imagined that just eight years later they would become a dynasty with four straight Stanley Cup championships. Their early years, however, were filled with growing pains and one December night in Pittsburgh highlighted just how far they had to go.

On December 13, 1972, the expansion Islanders came into the Civic Arena with a dismal 3-21-3 record, having already allowed nine or more goals three times. Against the Penguins, things quickly spiraled out of control. Pittsburgh fired nine unanswered goals past beleaguered New York goaltender Gerry Desjardins, who faced a staggering 55 shots on the night. The Islanders only avoided being shut out when they scored with six seconds left, barely spoiling Denis Herron’s quiet evening in the other crease.

The star of the night was Syl Apps Jr., who delivered the finest offensive performance of his 1972-73 season. Apps recorded a hat trick, his first of three career NHL hat tricks, while also setting up three more goals for a six-point masterpiece. His linemate Lowell MacDonald added two goals and two assists, while Al McDonough chipped in with a goal and three helpers.

For Apps, this game was one of the highlights of a productive campaign. Along with this six-point night, he notched a five-point game against Toronto and three four-point outings. His offensive flair reached another peak in December 1977, when he tallied his only career four-goal game against the Los Angeles Kings.

About Syl Apps

Syl Apps played 727 regular season and 23 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1970-71 and 1979-80 with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings. He was a playoff champion with both the Omaha Knights in the CHL and the Buffalo Bisons in the AHL in 1969-70.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Syl Apps Jr.

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

1. Which NHL team did Syl Apps Jr. spend the majority of his career with?

New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins
Los Angeles Kings
Toronto Maple Leafs

2. How many career NHL hat tricks did Syl Apps Jr. record?

1
3
5
7

3. In which season did Apps record his only four-goal game?

1972-73
1974-75
1977-78
1979-80

4. What was Syl Apps Jr.’s highest single-season point total in the NHL?

70
85
99
110

5. Which NHL franchise originally drafted Syl Apps Jr. in 1964?

Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins