Garry Howatt Leads the Charge in Record-Setting Playoff Brawl Between Islanders and Bruins

When the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins met in the 1979-80 Stanley Cup quarter-finals, few could have predicted that their series would etch itself into the NHL record books, not for goals or saves, but for sheer chaos.

Game 1 at Nassau Coliseum was mild enough, a clean 2-1 win for the Islanders featuring just eight minor penalties. But Game 2 was an entirely different story. The opening period exploded into mayhem, capped by a full-scale brawl that produced 248 total penalty minutes, the most ever recorded in a single Stanley Cup playoff period.

Leading the charge was none other than Garry Howatt, the Islanders’ rugged forward known for his tenacity and fearlessness. Howatt racked up a game-high 32 penalty minutes, starting with a spirited scrap against Boston’s Wayne Cashman, plus a boarding minor, before joining the melee that erupted at the period’s final whistle.

By the time officials restored order, eight players had been tagged with fighting majors, misconducts, and game misconducts. From New York: Howatt, Duane Sutter, Bob Lorimer, and Gord Lane. From Boston: Cashman, Al Secord, Mike Milbury, and Stan Jonathan.

Despite the fireworks, the game itself delivered drama of a different kind. The teams settled down after the first intermission, combining for just three minor penalties the rest of the way. Bob Bourne sealed a 5-4 overtime win for the Islanders, who went on to sweep the Bruins and move on to face the Buffalo Sabres in the semi-final.

As for Howatt, he escaped suspension and was right back in the thick of it in Game 3, squaring off against Terry O’Reilly in yet another third-period fight. O’Reilly, ever the warrior, had already fought Clark Gillies twice earlier in the game, a testament to how fierce and physical this rivalry truly was.

About Garry Howatt

Garry Howatt played 720 regular season and 87 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1972-73 and 1983-84 with the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers and New Jersey Devils. Over that time, the two-time Stanley Cup champion amassed 1,836 regular season penalty minutes. Originally, he was a lowly tenth round pick by the Islanders at the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft out of the Flin Flon Bombers.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Garry Howatt

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

1. Which NHL team did Garry Howatt spend the majority of his career with?
   New York Islanders
   Hartford Whalers
   Quebec Nordiques
   Vancouver Canucks
   
2. What nickname was Garry Howatt known by during his playing days?
   The Toy Tiger
   The Little General
   The Pocket Rocket
   The Bulldog
   
3. How many Stanley Cups did Howatt win with the New York Islanders?
   One
   Two
   Three
   Four
   
4. Garry Howatt was part of one of the most penalty-filled playoff games in history. How many total penalty minutes were called in the first period of that game?
   198
   220
   248
   260
   
5. After leaving the Islanders, which team did Howatt join as part of a trade in 1981?
   Hartford Whalers
   New Jersey Devils
   California Golden Seals
   Winnipeg Jets
   

Grit and Goals: Stan Jonathan’s Big Night vs. Don Cherry

In the 1979-80 NHL season, Don Cherry made the jump from Boston to Colorado, taking over as head coach of the struggling Rockies. But when his new team met his old one, Cherry got a dose of “sour grapes” from one of his all-time favourites, Stan Jonathan.

On January 13, 1980, at Boston Garden, the Bruins hosted the Rockies for their third meeting of the season. Colorado got on the board first, with Lanny McDonald scoring at 5:31 of the opening period. But it didn’t take long for Boston’s grinders to respond.

Just 22 seconds later, John Wensink tied the game with help from Terry O’Reilly and Peter McNab. Then, Stan Jonathan took over. The rugged winger, known for his heart, grit, and fierce loyalty to Cherry during their Bruins days, scored twice before the first period was over, putting Boston ahead 3-1.

Jonathan completed his hat trick in the third period, netting his 12th of the season and sealing a 6-2 Bruins win. Despite racking up 208 penalty minutes that year, Jonathan managed to stay out of the box on this night, letting his stick do the talking instead.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a classic Bruins game without a few fights. Early in the second, Lanny McDonald and Terry O’Reilly dropped the gloves in a spirited battle that must have brought a nostalgic grin to Cherry’s face. Not long after, Al Secord and Rob Ramage tangled to keep the energy high.

About Stan Jonathan 

Stan Jonathan played 411 regular season and 63 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1975-76 and 1982-83 with the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins. His time in Pittsburgh was limited ot 19 games at the end of his career. Originally, he was a fifth round pick by the Bruins at the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft out of the Peterborough Petes.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Stan Jonathan

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

1. Which NHL team did Stan Jonathan play the majority of his career with?
   Colorado Rockies
   Boston Bruins
   Toronto Maple Leafs
   Detroit Red Wings


2. What was Stan Jonathan best known for besides his offensive contributions?
   His toughness and fighting ability
   His speed and playmaking
   His defensive positioning
   His leadership as a captain


3. In the 1977 Stanley Cup Final against Montreal, Stan Jonathan famously fought which Canadiens player?
   Larry Robinson
   Mario Tremblay
   Pierre Bouchard
   Yvon Lambert


4. What was Stan Jonathan’s career-high goal total in a single NHL season?
   15
   18
   27
   31


5. After his NHL days, what sport did Stan Jonathan later participate in at the local level in Ontario?
   Curling
   Lacrosse
   Baseball
   Softball

Brian Sutter’s Supercharged Gordie Howe Hat Trick Knocks Out Winnipeg Jets in 1982 Playoffs

When the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets squared off in the opening round of the 1981-82 Stanley Cup playoffs, few expected the Blues to dominate. Winnipeg had finished eight points ahead in the regular season, but St. Louis entered Game 4 at the Checkerdome with a 2-1 series lead on April 11, 1982.

Enter Brian Sutter, a player who could score just as well as he could scrap. In a career-defining performance, Sutter delivered an enhanced Gordie Howe Hat Trick that propelled the Blues to an emphatic series win.

Before the first period ended, Sutter scored twice. His first came at 7:18, assisted by Bernie Federko and Joe Mullen, and just 29 seconds later he dropped the gloves with Winnipeg’s Dave Babych, earning five for fighting and two for elbowing. Back out of the box, he struck again at 16:01, once again set up by Federko and Mullen. The second marker would stand as the game-winner in what turned into an 8-2 blowout.

Sutter wasn’t finished. Late in the second period, he assisted on Federko’s first goal of the postseason, stretching the lead to 7-1. In the third, he added another helper on Joe Mullen’s tally at 8:17, the final goal of both the game and the series.

Traditionally, a Gordie Howe Hat Trick consists of one goal, one assist, and one fight. Sutter went above and beyond, recording two goals, two assists, a fight, and even a minor penalty for good measure.

About Brian Sutter

Brian Sutter played 779 regular season and 65 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1976-77 and 1987-88, all with the St. Louis Blues. He scored at least 23 goals in seven consecutive seasons and 40 or more in two campaigns. His career high 46 was scored in 1982-83.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Brian Sutter

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

1. Which NHL team did Brian Sutter play his entire career with?

Chicago Blackhawks
St. Louis Blues
Calgary Flames
New York Rangers

2. In which year did Brian Sutter first captain the St. Louis Blues?

1978
1980
1982
1984

3. What was Brian Sutter especially known for as a player?

Stickhandling wizardry
Two-way grit and leadership
Goaltending skills
Speed skating records

4. How many career NHL goals did Brian Sutter score?

175
247
303
356

5. Which year was Brian Sutter forced to retire due to back injuries?

1984
1986
1988
1990

Steve Shutt’s Hat Trick and Fight vs. Blackhawks (1976-77)

On November 6, 1976, the Montreal Forum played host to one of the most dominant Canadiens teams in NHL history. The 1976-77 Habs crushed the Chicago Blackhawks 11-3, and Steve Shutt was at the center of the action with a memorable mix of goals and grit.

Just 1:14 into the game, Shutt opened the scoring with help from defensemen Serge Savard and Larry Robinson. Minutes later, he found himself in the penalty box after a spirited scrap with Darcy Rota. Neither player was known as a fighter, but it showed the intensity of the night.

Shutt wasn’t done. At 9:51 of the second period, he buried his 15th goal of the season, assisted by Pierre Bouchard and Guy Lafleur, giving the Habs a commanding 5-1 lead. In the third, at 16:07, Shutt completed the hat trick with his 16th of the year, set up by Lafleur and Jacques Lemaire. He was already pacing toward his career-best 60-goal campaign.

The Blackhawks’ goaltending didn’t stand a chance. Starter Tony Esposito gave up four goals on 16 shots before being replaced by Michel Dumas, who surrendered seven on 16 shots in one of his eight total NHL appearances. Meanwhile, Lafleur dazzled with two goals and two assists, while Savard finished an incredible +7.

About Steve Shutt

Steve Shutt played 930 regular season an 99 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1972-73 and 1984-85 with the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings. He was a five-time Stanley Cup champion with the Habs. Shutt was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Steve Shutt

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

1. In which season did Steve Shutt score his career-high 60 goals?

• 1974-75
• 1976-77
• 1978-79
• 1980-81

2. How many Stanley Cups did Steve Shutt win with the Montreal Canadiens?

• 3
• 5
• 6
• 4

3. Which legendary linemate was most often paired with Steve Shutt during his peak years?

• Jacques Lemaire
• Larry Robinson
• Guy Lafleur
• Ken Dryden

4. How many career NHL goals did Steve Shutt finish with?

• 312
• 424
• 389
• 441

5. In what year was Steve Shutt inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

• 1991
• 1995
• 1993
• 1997