Anders Hedberg’s 4-Goal Night Powers Wild Rangers Comeback

The Detroit Red Wings of the 1970s and early 1980s had an unfortunate knack for finding ways to lose games that appeared to be theirs. On October 26, 1980, at Madison Square Garden, that tendency was on full display. Detroit held a 6-5 lead with just 1:14 remaining, only to watch Anders Hedberg take over and lead the New York Rangers to a stunning 7-6 victory.

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Highlights

• October 26, 1980 at Madison Square Garden

• New York Rangers defeated Detroit 7-6

• Anders Hedberg recorded 4 goals and 2 assists

• Detroit led 6-5 with only 1:14 remaining

• Hedberg tied the game at 18:46 of the third

• He scored the winner just 33 seconds later

• Reed Larson and Mike Blaisdell scored seven seconds apart for Detroit

• Hedberg led all players with 7 shots on goal

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Hedberg opened the scoring just 4:50 into the first period, beating Detroit goaltender Gilles Gilbert on the power play for his third goal of the season. Ulf Nilsson and Rangers goalie John Davidson picked up the assists. Later in the period, Hedberg added an assist on a Steve Vickers goal as New York and Detroit settled into what would become a high-scoring battle.

The second period featured a remarkable burst from the Red Wings. Reed Larson and Mike Blaisdell scored just seven seconds apart, nearly matching a Detroit franchise record. The Rangers battled back, however, with Mike Allison scoring with an assist from Hedberg before Hedberg added another goal of his own. By the end of the second, the teams were deadlocked at 4-4.

Detroit struck quickly again to open the third. George Lyle scored just 58 seconds into the period, and Mike Foligno followed only 55 seconds later to give the Red Wings a 6-4 advantage. Ron Greschner cut the lead to one at 11:45, but as the clock wound down, it appeared Detroit was finally going to escape Madison Square Garden with a 6-5 victory.

Then Hedberg took over. With just 1:14 remaining, he scored the tying goal with assists from Phil Esposito and Tom Laidlaw. Only 33 seconds later, Hedberg struck again, this time unassisted, completing the Rangers' remarkable comeback and giving New York a 7-6 lead. In the span of 33 seconds, Detroit went from being on the verge of victory to trailing for good.

Hedberg finished the night with four goals and two assists for six points, while leading all skaters with seven of New York's 37 shots on Gilles Gilbert. At the other end, John Davidson allowed six goals on 30 shots but still walked away with the victory. It was a wild night at Madison Square Garden and one of the biggest offensive performances of Hedberg's NHL career.

Tales from the New York Rangers Locker Room

A collection of the greatest Rangers stories ever told — insider tales featuring legends past and present.

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Lorne Ferguson's Rare Two-Shorthanded Goal Hat Trick Powers Red Wings Past Rangers

Lorne Ferguson was never known as a prolific shorthanded scorer during his NHL career. In fact, the Palmerston, Ontario native scored just four shorthanded goals over 422 regular season games. Remarkably, half of that career total came in a single period against the New York Rangers.

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Highlights

• Lorne Ferguson scored a hat trick against the New York Rangers on February 2, 1957.

• Detroit won the game 5-4 at Madison Square Garden.

• Ferguson scored two shorthanded goals in the first period.

• Both shorthanded goals were assisted by Metro Prystai.

• Ferguson scored only four shorthanded goals during his entire NHL career.

• His third goal completed the hat trick and proved to be the game-winner.

• Ferguson finished with three goals and one assist for four points.

• He scored 13 goals and 23 points during the 1956-57 season.

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On February 2, 1957, Ferguson and the Detroit Red Wings visited Madison Square Garden for a matchup with the Rangers. New York opened the scoring, but Ferguson answered at 7:05 of the first period with a shorthanded goal assisted by Metro Prystai. Detroit's Ted Lindsay was serving a high-sticking penalty at the time, but Ferguson's goal evened the score at 1-1.

Ferguson wasn't finished. At 17:14, he assisted on an Alex Delvecchio goal that gave Detroit a 3-1 advantage. Then, with Warren Godfrey in the penalty box for slashing, Ferguson struck again. With just 14 seconds remaining in the opening period, he scored his second shorthanded goal of the night, once again assisted by Prystai. Ferguson had scored half of his career shorthanded goals in less than 13 minutes.

He completed the hat trick at 11:10 of the second period, beating Rangers goaltender Gump Worsley with Delvecchio picking up the assist. That third goal proved especially important. New York battled back, but Detroit held on for a 5-4 victory, making Ferguson's hat trick goal the game-winner. He finished the night with three goals and an assist for a four-point performance.

The offensive explosion represented a significant chunk of Ferguson's production during the 1956-57 season. He finished the year with 13 goals and ten assists for 23 points over 70 games. Between 1949-50 and 1958-59, Ferguson appeared in 422 NHL regular season games and another 31 playoff contests with the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. His best goal-scoring season came with Boston in 1954-55, when he reached the 20-goal mark.

The Franchise: Detroit Red Wings: A Curated History of Hockeytown

Explore the storied history of the Detroit Red Wings — legends, moments, rivalries, and the culture that made Hockeytown iconic.

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Phil Esposito Records 3 Points In His Final Game Against The Bruins

Phil Esposito had been gone from the Boston Bruins for more than five years by the time he entered his final NHL season in 1980-81. Still, Boston was where Esposito enjoyed the greatest years of his legendary career, winning two Stanley Cups, five Art Ross Trophies and two Hart Trophies with the Bruins. Even late in his career with the New York Rangers, a matchup with his former club undoubtedly carried a little extra meaning.

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Highlights

• Phil Esposito's final NHL game against Boston came November 26, 1980.

• The Rangers defeated the Bruins 6-4 at Madison Square Garden.

• Esposito recorded one goal and two assists.

• He assisted on both of Ron Greschner's first two goals.

• Esposito's goal was his fifth of 1980-81 and the third-last of his NHL career.

• Greschner and Steve Vickers each scored twice for New York.

• Esposito's final game at Boston Garden came October 9, 1980.

• He assisted on the Rangers' opening goal in that final Boston appearance.

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Esposito faced the Bruins for the final time on November 26, 1980 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers entered the game struggling badly but came away with a 6-4 victory, just their fifth win through the first 23 games of the season. Esposito played a major role in the victory, recording a goal and two assists before the game was even half over.

Ron Greschner opened the scoring at 10:05 of the first period, beating Boston goaltender Rogie Vachon with assists going to Esposito and Don Maloney. Just 40 seconds into the second period, Greschner struck again, this time with helpers from Esposito and Dave Silk. At 7:54, Esposito got a goal of his own, scoring his fifth of the season with Greschner picking up the assist.

That goal turned out to be the third-last of Esposito's NHL career. Greschner and Steve Vickers each scored twice in the 6-4 Rangers victory, while Esposito finished his final appearance against his former team with three points.

Esposito's final game at Boston Garden had come earlier that season, on October 9, 1980 in the 1980-81 season opener. The Bruins won that game decisively, 7-2, but Esposito still made his presence felt. He assisted on Mike Allison's goal just 2:44 into the first period, giving the Rangers an early lead. It was the final appearance in Boston for a player whose years with the Bruins had established him as one of the greatest goal scorers of his generation.

Thunder and Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir

The candid and electrifying memoir of Phil Esposito — one of hockey’s most dynamic scorers and personalities.

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DeJordy Perfect, Mohns Has 3 Points As Hawks Hammer Rangers In 1966-67 Finale

The Chicago Blackhawks closed out a dominant 1966-67 NHL regular season in emphatic fashion. On April 2, 1967, the Blackhawks visited Madison Square Garden for the final game of the schedule for both Chicago and the New York Rangers and walked away with a crushing 8-0 victory.

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Highlights

• Chicago defeated the Rangers 8-0 on April 2, 1967.

• It was the final regular-season game for both teams.

• Denis DeJordy stopped all 33 shots for the shutout.

• Doug Mohns had a goal and two assists for three points.

• Ed Van Impe recorded three assists despite having only 11 all season.

• Bill Hay scored twice — the final two goals of his NHL career.

• Cesare Maniago made his final appearance for the Rangers.

• Minnesota selected Maniago with its first pick in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft.

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There wasn't much at stake in the standings. Chicago had already secured first place with 41 wins and 94 points, finishing 17 points ahead of the second-place Montreal Canadiens. New York was locked into the fourth and final playoff position. Bobby Hull was also missing from the Chicago lineup after scoring his 52nd goal of the season a few games earlier. None of that stopped the Blackhawks from putting on a show.

Denis DeJordy was perfect in the Chicago net, turning aside all 33 shots he faced for the shutout. At the other end of the ice, Doug "Diesel" Mohns contributed a goal and two assists for a three-point night. Defenseman Ed Van Impe also had an unusually productive offensive game, recording three assists. He finished the entire season with just 11.

Bill Hay scored twice in the victory, with the two goals proving to be the final goals of his NHL career. Rangers starter Ed Giacomin endured a difficult night, allowing six goals on 22 shots over the first two periods before being replaced by Cesare Maniago.

Maniago stopped nine of 11 shots in the third period, and the appearance turned out to be his last as a member of the Rangers. Just a few months later, Minnesota made Maniago its first selection in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. He was the fourth player taken overall and would go on to become the North Stars' primary goaltender during their early years.

The 8-0 victory was a fitting conclusion to Chicago's outstanding regular season, but the success wouldn't carry into the playoffs. Despite finishing comfortably atop the NHL standings, the Blackhawks were eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round.

The Big 50: Chicago Blackhawks (The Men and Moments that Made the Chicago Blackhawks)

Relive the greatest players, personalities, and turning points in Blackhawks history in this countdown of the 50 most influential figures and moments that shaped the franchise.

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Pierre Jarry Scored His First 2 NHL Goals Just 8 Seconds Apart

There was plenty of history made at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 1971, when the New York Rangers overwhelmed the California Golden Seals 12-1. The 12 goals remain the most ever scored by the Rangers in a single game, while Jean Ratelle enjoyed the only four-goal game of his NHL career. But buried within the blowout was another unusual piece of Rangers history involving Pierre Jarry.

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Highlights

• New York beat the California Golden Seals 12-1 on November 21, 1971.

• The Rangers scored a franchise-record 12 goals in the game.

• Jean Ratelle recorded the only four-goal game of his NHL career.

• Pierre Jarry scored the first NHL goal of his career in the third period.

• His goal chased Gilles Meloche from the California net.

• Jarry scored again on replacement Lyle Carter just eight seconds later.

• The eight-second span established a Rangers record later tied by Don Maloney.

• Jarry scored only three goals as a Ranger, meaning two came within eight seconds of each other.

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Jarry entered the night still looking for the first goal of his NHL career. He finally got it at 11:03 of the third period, scoring with assists from Walt Tkaczuk and Jim Neilson. It was the fifth of an incredible eight Rangers goals in the final period and pushed New York's lead to 9-1.

That goal also ended the night for California goaltender Gilles Meloche, who had allowed nine goals on 42 shots. Lyle Carter came in to finish the game, but he barely had time to settle into the crease. Just eight seconds after scoring his first NHL goal, Jarry struck again, this time against Carter.

The two goals in eight seconds established a Rangers record that would later be matched by Don Maloney. What makes Jarry's accomplishment even more unusual is that the two goals came against two different goaltenders. Scoring twice in eight seconds is rare enough; doing it against two goalies makes the sequence one of the more curious scoring feats in NHL history.

Remarkably, those two goals accounted for two-thirds of Jarry's entire goal total as a Ranger. He scored just once more for New York before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Jim Dorey on February 20, 1972.

Jarry went on to appear in 344 NHL regular season games and five playoff contests from 1971-72 through 1977-78 with the Rangers, Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars. He also played 23 WHA games with the Edmonton Oilers in 1977-78 before his professional career came to an end.

Tales from the New York Rangers Locker Room

A collection of the greatest Rangers stories ever told — insider tales featuring legends past and present.

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6,338 Days Later: Dionne Sets Up Lafleur in a Full-Circle NHL Moment

A Draft Day Connection Years in the Making

At the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, two future legends began their journeys just one pick apart. Guy Lafleur was selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens, while Marcel Dionne went second to the Detroit Red Wings.

Both players went on to have incredible individual careers. Lafleur became synonymous with dynastic success in Montreal, winning five Stanley Cups, while Dionne established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history, despite limited playoff opportunities.

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A Rare Reunion on Broadway

Their careers unexpectedly converged years later in New York. Dionne arrived first, traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the New York Rangers on March 10, 1987.

Lafleur followed ahead of the 1988-89 season, ending a three-year retirement to join the Rangers. It didn’t take long for the former draft rivals to connect.

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6,338 Days Later… A Goal

On October 16, 1988, at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers hosted the Vancouver Canucks.

At 7:22 of the first period, Lafleur scored his first goal as a Ranger and his first since returning to the NHL. The goal came on the power play against goaltender Steve Weeks, with assists from Dionne and Brian Mullen.

A full 6,338 days after being drafted one-two, Dionne was helping Lafleur find the back of the net.

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Flashes of the Old Magic

Lafleur wasn’t done. Just 3:37 later, he picked up an assist on a power-play goal by Brian Leetch, showing glimpses of the brilliance that made him a legend.

But despite the early spark, the Rangers couldn’t hold the lead. Vancouver responded with goals from Normand Rochefort and two from Petri Skriko to secure a 3-2 comeback win.

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History Repeats Against Montreal

Less than a month later, on November 11, 1988, Lafleur faced his former team for the first time at MSG. In a fitting twist, he once again scored the Rangers’ opening goal, again assisted by Dionne.

However, just like their earlier game, the result didn’t go New York’s way, as the Canadiens claimed a 4-2 victory.

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A Unique NHL Full-Circle Moment

Hockey history is full of remarkable connections, but few are as poetic as this one. Two players drafted back-to-back in 1971, each taking vastly different career paths, reunited nearly two decades later to combine on a goal.

For Lafleur and Dionne, it was more than just a point on the scoresheet. It was a full-circle moment that tied together the beginning and twilight of two Hall of Fame careers.

Guy Lafleur: Autobiography

The story of the legendary Canadiens superstar — speed, scoring, and stardom in Montreal.

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Marcel Dionne's NHL Milestone Goals

A tribute to one of hockey’s greatest scorers, this book highlights Marcel Dionne’s most memorable milestone goals and the moments that defined his remarkable NHL career.

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Defenseman Carol Vadnais Scores Hat Trick For Rangers In Wild 8-6 Loss To Maple Leafs (1976)

When the Boston Bruins traded Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais to the New York Rangers on November 7, 1975, the return package included stars Brad Park and Jean Ratelle along with Joe Zanussi. It was one of the biggest deals of the decade, and Vadnais quickly made his presence felt on Broadway. In his first 22 games with New York, the defenseman recorded two four-point performances.

One of those standout games came on January 4, 1976, when the Rangers hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden. Vadnais opened his scoring at 4:50 of the second period, beating Toronto goalie Wayne Thomas for his seventh goal of the 1975-76 season. The tally, assisted by Pete Stemkowski and Walt Tkaczuk, briefly gave New York a 2-1 lead.

Toronto quickly seized control, however, scoring four straight goals to take a commanding 5-2 lead into the third period.

Any thoughts of a quiet finish vanished almost immediately. Vadnais struck again just 23 seconds into the final frame, with assists from Rod Gilbert and Esposito. Later in the period, Lanny McDonald scored shorthanded for Toronto at 11:46, igniting a remarkable stretch of offense. Over the next 2:33, the teams combined for five goals, at the time the ninth-fastest sequence of five goals in NHL history and still among the fastest ever recorded.

Vadnais assisted on the fourth goal of that flurry, Gilbert’s 13th of the season, before completing his hat trick at 19:09 with helpers from Gilbert and Esposito. The late surge wasn’t enough to overcome Toronto’s earlier outburst, and the Rangers fell 8-6 in one of the season’s wildest games.

Despite the loss, Vadnais finished with three goals and an assist, while Gilbert added a four-point night of his own with two goals and two assists. Vadnais also led all shooters in the game with seven shots on goal.

Tales from the New York Rangers Locker Room

A collection of the greatest Rangers stories ever told — insider tales featuring legends past and present.

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NHL Hockey Card Greats: Carol Vadnais [Video]

Five on Five Shots: Tim Young’s Perfect Night in New York

On January 15, 1979, at Madison Square Garden, Tim Young delivered a performance that still stands alone in franchise history. Skating for the Minnesota North Stars, Young scored five goals in an 8-1 demolition of the New York Rangers. Decades later, even after the club’s relocation and rebrand as the Dallas Stars, no player in franchise history has matched the feat.

Young entered the night with 24 goals on the season, but no one could have predicted what would unfold on Broadway. He first made his presence felt as a playmaker, assisting on a goal by Jim Roberts just 2:06 into the game. Forty-nine seconds later, Young scored his first of the night, his 11th of the season, which would stand as the game-winning goal in the lopsided victory.

The second period turned historic. Young struck twice more to complete his hat trick, beating Rangers netminder Doug Soetaert each time. Soetaert surrendered five goals on just 13 shots through two periods and was replaced by Wayne Thomas for the third. The change made little difference. Young added his fourth and fifth goals against Thomas, sealing a stunning five-goal masterpiece.

What made the performance even more remarkable was its efficiency: five goals on five shots. A perfect shooting night. The six-point outing remains the only five-goal game ever recorded by a Minnesota/Dallas player and is one of just 48 instances in National Hockey League history where a player has scored five or more in a single game.

Behind the offensive explosion stood goaltender Gilles Meloche, who quietly stopped 33 of 34 shots. It was a typically strong effort from one of the era’s most underrated netminders, ensuring Young’s historic night would be remembered for all the right reasons.

Nearly half a century later, the franchise still waits for another player to replicate what Tim Young accomplished on that winter night in New York, a perfect five-for-five performance that remains unmatched.

Mirage of Destiny: The Story of the 1990-91 Minnesota North Stars

A deep dive into the remarkable season of the Minnesota North Stars — their playoff run, key moments, and legacy.

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Pat Hickey’s Five-Point Night Sinks Tony Esposito At MSG

On November 15, 1978, the Chicago Blackhawks rolled into Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers, and left with very little to show for it. While another famous kid from Brantford was still lighting up the WHA at the time, it was Pat Hickey, also born in Brantford, Ontario, who stole the spotlight in New York.

Hickey wasted no time making his presence felt. Just 1:03 into the opening period, he beat Tony Esposito for his first of the night, with assists from Ulf Nilsson and Carol Vadnais. Less than five-and-a-half minutes later, Vadnais added a shorthanded goal of his own. Then, only 41 seconds after that, Hickey set up Anders Hedberg to give the Rangers a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Rangers kept pouring it on. Hickey struck again at 16:56 of the second period, once more assisted by Nilsson, along with Ron Greshner, to make it 5-0. In a rare brother-versus-brother moment, Phil Esposito scored on his older brother Tony at 6:24 of the third period, pushing the lead to 6-0.

Before the night was done, Hickey completed his hat trick, scoring his third goal of the game and seventh of the 1978-79 NHL season. He also added another assist on a goal by Nilsson, finishing the night with a five-point performance.

The Rangers’ top line was unstoppable. Hickey, Nilsson, and Hedberg combined for 13 points in the blowout win. Nilsson recorded one goal and four assists, while Hedberg chipped in with a goal and two helpers. Hickey led all skaters with six shots on goal, while Tony Esposito faced 39 shots overall. At the other end of the ice, John Davidson turned aside 32 of 33 shots to seal the victory for New York.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

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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.

In Loving Memory: A Tribute to Tim Horton

A heartfelt tribute to the life and legacy of Tim Horton — hockey legend and cultural icon.

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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

Ted Irvine Takes Control In The Third To Beat His Former Team In 1971

Some NHL performances seem to follow a script, and for Ted Irvine, hat tricks often arrived in a very specific way. Across his career, Irvine recorded three of them, and each felt like its own self-contained takeover: three consecutive goals, all natural hat tricks, all including the game winner. It became a pattern fans could almost sense coming once he got rolling.

His first came during the 1968-69 season, when Irvine scored three straight to give the Los Angeles Kings an early 3-0 cushion in a 3-2 win over the Oakland Seals. His third would come later with the St. Louis Blues, again featuring three unanswered goals in the third period to flip a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The second, though, may have been the most poetic, doing it against the team he once called home.

That moment arrived on March 7, 1971, when the New York Rangers hosted the Los Angeles Kings at Madison Square Garden. The opening period was scoreless, but Jean Ratelle broke through at 2:40 of the second to put New York ahead. The Kings responded late in the frame, however, as Eddie Joyal and Gilles Marotte struck to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead heading into the third.

That’s when Irvine took over. At 3:57 of the final period, he beat Denis DeJordy for his 16th goal of the season, tying the game and shifting the momentum. Just over nine minutes later, with help from Pete Stemkowski, Irvine buried what would stand as the game winner, giving the Rangers their first lead since early in the night. With DeJordy pulled for an extra attacker in the final minute, Irvine completed the familiar pattern. He scored his third straight goal, unassisted, with 43 seconds remaining to seal a 4-2 Rangers victory. 

About Ted Irvine

Between 1963-64 and 1976-77, Ted Irvine played 724 regular season and 83 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. He was a 20 goal scorer twice during his NHL career, topping out with 26 in 1973-74 with the New York Rangers.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Ted Irvine

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

1. Ted Irvine made his NHL debut with which team during the 1963–64 season?

Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues

2. Ted Irvine recorded his most productive NHL season while playing for which team?

Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues

3. What was Ted Irvine’s career-high in goals during a single NHL season?

22
26
30
35

4. Ted Irvine recorded multiple hat tricks during his NHL career, most shared which distinction?

They were natural hat tricks
They occurred in playoff games
They came in overtime games
They were all short-handed goals

5. Ted Irvine is the father of which future professional wrestler?

Chris Jericho
Bret Hart
Edge
Roddy Piper

April 8, 1971: The Night Vic Hadfield Nearly Broke the PIM Record

Perhaps Jim Harrison said something about Vic Hadfield’s golf game. On April 8, 1971, Madison Square Garden played host to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup quarter-finals between the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Rangers were up 1-0 in the series, but Toronto fought back with a 4-1 victory and then things got really interesting.

After the goals came the gloves. Vic Hadfield piled up 34 penalty minutes before the night was over, at the time, the fourth-most in a single Stanley Cup playoff game (It still ranks among the top dozen today).

The all-time record of 42 minutes, held by Billy Coutu since 1923, is a bit of an outlier thanks to long-gone rules and two hefty misconducts. In the modern era, Hadfield was chasing Forbes Kennedy’s 38 minutes and John Ferguson’s 37, both set in 1969.

Hadfield’s trouble started midway through the second period. At 9:22, he tangled with Toronto’s Jim Harrison and earned an extra two minutes for high-sticking, his second trip to the box after a roughing call earlier. Then at 15:18 of the third, they went at it again, sparking a full-on melee that also pulled in Darryl Sittler and Brad Park. Hadfield picked up two ten-minute misconducts and a five for fighting, ending his night early.

Moments later, Park joined him in the dressing room when both he and Sittler were assessed game misconducts. Each finished with 27 penalty minutes.

On the scoresheet side of things, Toronto’s Paul Henderson led the way with two goals, while Dave Keon added a goal and an assist. Tim Horton scored the lone Rangers goal against his former team.

About Vic Hadfield

Vic Hadfield played 1,002 regular season and 74 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1961-62 and 1976-77 with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1971-72, he became the first player in Rangers history to score 50 goals in a season with exactly 50.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Vic Hadfield

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

1. Vic Hadfield spent the majority of his NHL career with which team?

Chicago Blackhawks
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Boston Bruins

2. Hadfield was part of the Rangers’ famous “GAG Line.” What did “GAG” stand for?

Goal-A-Game
Great and Gritty
Goaltenders Always Guessing
Grind-And-Goal

3. In the 1971–72 season, Vic Hadfield became the first Rangers player to reach what major milestone?

50 goals in a season
100 career power play goals
1,000 career points
10 hat tricks in one season

4. After leaving the Rangers, Hadfield finished his NHL career playing for which team?

Buffalo Sabres
Pittsburgh Penguins
Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues

5. Which best describes Vic Hadfield’s playing style?

Defensive specialist and shot blocker
Tough, skilled power forward with scoring touch
Pure finesse playmaker
Enforcer with limited offensive output

Bill Clement Leads Atlanta Flames Past Rangers on New Year’s Eve 1976

On December 31, 1976, the Atlanta Flames rang in the New Year in style at Madison Square Garden with a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers.

The night belonged to Bill Clement, who had a hand in three of the four Flames goals. After a scoreless first period, the Rangers opened the scoring early in the second when Wayne Dillon beat Phil Myre just 59 seconds in. But Clement responded midway through the frame, scoring a shorthanded goal while Bobby Simpson was in the penalty box.

The Rangers regained the lead early in the third on a Mike McEwen marker, but the Flames stormed back with three unanswered goals. Bobby Simpson, Tom Lysiak, and Ken Houston all found the back of the net, with Clement assisting on the Simpson and Houston tallies. Tim Ecclestone added three assists of his own to match Clement’s three-point performance.

The Flames fired 45 shots on Gilles Gratton, with Guy Chouinard leading the way with eight and Lysiak adding seven. On the Rangers’ side, Phil Esposito had a frustrating night with seven shots, no points, and a -2 rating. In the final seconds, tempers flared as Esposito and Pat Quinn nearly tangled, resulting in roughing penalties.

About Bill Clement

Bill Clement played 719 regular season and 50 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1971-72 and 1981-82 with the Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, Atlanta Flames and Calgary Flames. He was a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Flyers.

Clement was a second round pick by the Flyers at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft after three years of junior with the Ottawa 67's. Despite being a defensive forward, Bill stands as eighth overall in total points with the Atlanta Flames.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Bill Clement

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

1. Bill Clement was originally drafted by which NHL team?

Philadelphia Flyers
Atlanta Flames
Washington Capitals
New York Rangers

2. Clement won two Stanley Cups early in his career. In which seasons did he capture them with the Flyers?

1972 & 1973
1973 & 1974
1974 & 1975
1975 & 1976

3. Bill Clement was part of a major trade that sent him from the Flyers to the Washington Capitals in 1975. Which future Hall of Famer went the other way?

Bernie Parent
Mel Bridgman
Bill Barber
Bill Clement was traded for the draft pick that became Mel Bridgman

4. Clement enjoyed his most productive offensive seasons with which team?

Philadelphia Flyers
Washington Capitals
Atlanta Flames
Colorado Rockies

5. After retiring from the NHL, Clement became well known as:

An NHL coach
A broadcaster and analyst
An NHL referee
A players’ agent

NHL Hockey Trivia: New York Rangers

The New York Rangers entered the National Hockey League for the 1926-27 season, a year after their roommates, the New York Americans, joined the league. It took the Rangers just two seasons before they were hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Test and expand your hockey trivia knowledge of the New York Rangers with these four trivia questions.

Q. What venue was the first home of the New York Rangers?

A. The New York Rangers arena has always been Madison Square Garden. However, it was the third incarnation of MSG that the Rangers first called home. The New York Americans also played home games out of the same venue. They played in MSG III until 1968 when they moved into their present home, MSG IV, which, of course, has just recently undergone renovations.

Q. From 1930’s to 1950’s, what was the New York Rangers farm team that also played out of Madison Square Garden?

A. The New York Rovers were the New York Rangers farm team playing in the Eastern Hockey League and later the Quebec Senior Hockey League. The team had some famous Rangers behind the bench as head coach, including Frank Nighbor and Frank Boucher. Many great Rangers players also played for the Rovers at one time or another. The roster of all-time greats includes outstanding goaltenders like Gump Worsley, Ed Giacomin, Al Rollins and Gilles Villemure.

Q. Who wore the number 7 that was the first of nine New York Rangers retired numbers to be hang from the rafters at MSG?

A. Despite the long history of the Rangers, Rod Gilbert’s number 7 was the first to be retired by the team and it wasn’t until 1979. Gilbert played 1,065 regular season NHL games between 1960-61 and 1977-78, all in a Rangers jersey. Rod was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982. He was an integral part of the 1972 Summit Series that pitted Team Canada against Russia.

Gilbert stands as the New York Rangers all-time leader in goals and points. Over his 1,065 games with the club, Rod scored 406 goals and totalled 1,021 points.

Q. What is the song that is played after every New York Rangers goal when they play at Madison Square Garden?

A. The song is called ‘Slapshot’ and was written by Madison Square Garden Music Director, Ray Castoldi. The song has been played after ever Rangers goal since 1995. It is also the goal song of the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers.