10 Points, 6 Goals: Blues Duo Quietly Take Over Against Quebec

On January 6, 1981, the St. Louis Blues delivered a strong but somewhat understated 6-3 victory over the Quebec Nordiques, despite a rare offensive explosion from two of their top players. Blake Dunlop and Jorgen Pettersson each recorded five-point performances, combining for 10 points in a game that, surprisingly, never turned into a complete rout.

Highlights

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• Blake Dunlop and Jorgen Pettersson each recorded 5 points

• Combined for 10 points in a 6-3 Blues win

• Involved in 5 of the team’s 6 goals

• Pettersson scored twice and added three assists

• Dunlop had one goal and four assists

• Game played January 6, 1981 vs Quebec Nordiques

• Pettersson finished rookie season with 73 points in 62 games

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Even more remarkable, the duo factored in on all but one of St. Louis’ six goals. It was the kind of statistical dominance that usually results in a lopsided scoreline, but the Nordiques managed to keep things relatively respectable on the scoreboard.

Dunlop’s night included a goal and four assists. His eighth goal of the 1980-81 season came early in the third period, with assists from Pettersson and Wayne Babych. Beyond that, Dunlop played a key setup role, assisting on two of Pettersson’s goals, as well as markers by Babych and Craig Norwich.

Pettersson matched Dunlop point-for-point with two goals and three assists. His 12th goal of the season came midway through the second period to give the Blues a 3-0 lead. He later capped off the scoring late in the third period, once again with Dunlop contributing on the play. Pettersson also added assists on goals by Babych, Norwich, and Dunlop himself.

The performance was part of a standout rookie season for Pettersson, who finished with 37 goals and 73 points in just 62 games. Having already established himself professionally in Sweden, the 24-year-old transitioned seamlessly to the NHL, ultimately finishing sixth in Calder Trophy voting.

Dunlop, meanwhile, was enjoying the best season of his career. He totaled 67 assists and 87 points, placing him among the league’s top playmakers and tying for seventh in assists league-wide. Though this particular game may not be widely remembered, it remains a perfect snapshot of how dominant the Dunlop–Pettersson combination could be on any given night.

The Franchise: St. Louis Blues (A Curated History of the Blues)

A curated history celebrating the St. Louis Blues — their iconic players, historic moments, and lasting impact on hockey culture.

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Al Hill’s Unforgettable NHL Debut With the Philadelphia Flyers

When it comes to unforgettable NHL debuts, none shine brighter than Al Hill’s first game with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Undrafted, Hill came from the Victoria Cougars of the WCHL and spent most of 1976-77 with the Springfield Indians in the AHL. Called up for a February 14, 1977 home game against the St. Louis Blues, he made sure his first NHL appearance would be one for the record books.

Just 36 seconds into the first period, Hill scored on Ed Johnston with assists from Bob Kelly and Terry Murray. Eleven minutes later, he struck again, his second career goal assisted by Rick MacLeish and Gary Dornhoefer. Before the period ended, he added an assist on Reggie Leach’s 23rd of the season.

Three points in one period would be memorable enough, but Hill wasn’t done. In the second period, he assisted on a Mel Bridgman goal, and in the third, he set up Bobby Clarke’s 21st of the campaign. That gave him five points on debut, an NHL record that still stands.

And there was toughness to go with the skill. In the second period, Hill dropped the gloves with Bob MacMillan, earning five for fighting. That gave him a rare distinction: likely the only Gordie Howe Hat Trick in a player’s first NHL game.

The Flyers capped the night with a 6-4 victory, but the night truly belonged to Al Hill, a debut the NHL has never seen before or since.

About Al Hill

Al Hill played 221 regular season and 51 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1976-77 and 1987-88, all with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was undrafted, joining the Flyers after playing major junior hockey with the Victoria Cougars. Twice, he helped the Maine Mariners to Calder Trophy championships in the AHL. In 1977-78, he was third in the league in scoring with 91 points, seven behind co-leaders Rick Adduono and Gord Brooks. 

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Al Hill

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

1. Al Hill is best remembered for setting an NHL record in his first game with the Flyers in 1977. How many points did he score that night?

3 points
4 points
5 points
6 points

2. Al Hill spent his entire NHL career with which team?

Philadelphia Flyers
Vancouver Canucks
New York Rangers
Calgary Flames

3. Approximately how many NHL games did Al Hill play over his career?

Just under 100
About 220
Around 400
Over 600

4. Aside from his scoring record, what rare feat did Hill also achieve in his very first NHL game?

A penalty shot goal
A Gordie Howe Hat Trick
A short-handed goal
A game-winning overtime goal

5. After retiring as a player, Al Hill stayed involved in hockey. Which role did he take on with the Flyers organization?

Head coach of the Flyers
Goaltending coach
Pro scout
TV broadcaster

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