Ed Giacomin's Dramatic Return to Madison Square Garden After Trade to Detroit Red Wings in 1975

In one of the most emotional moments in NHL history, longtime New York Rangers goaltender Ed Giacomin was unexpectedly sold to the Detroit Red Wings on October 31, 1975. The shocking transaction was even noted on the front of his 1975-76 O-Pee-Chee hockey card, marking a significant turning point in his Hall of Fame career.

Just two days later, Giacomin made his first start for the Red Wings against none other than the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 2, 1975. The emotional tension in the arena was palpable as Giacomin faced his former team and fans who had revered him for years.

Detroit Dominates in Giacomin’s Red Wings Debut

In a powerful show of support for their new netminder, the Red Wings came out flying, dominating the opening period with a 4-0 lead. Bill Hogaboam led the charge with two goals, while Nick Libett and Danny Grant each added one. The Rangers managed to respond in the second period with goals from Bill Fairbairn and Rick Middleton, but Detroit held a commanding 6-2 advantage going into the third.

Though the Rangers scored two more times in the final frame, Ed Giacomin turned aside 42 of 46 shots to earn a 6-4 win in his Detroit debut. Offensively, Hogaboam and Dan Maloney led the way with three points each, while Grant, Libett, Phil Roberto, and Barry Salovaara all posted two-point games.

The moment was bittersweet for Rangers fans, many of whom gave Giacomin an emotional ovation, despite rooting for the opposing team. It remains one of the most iconic nights in Madison Square Garden hockey history.

A Quieter Return: Second Game Back at MSG

Giacomin’s second game back in New York came just weeks later but this time, the result wasn’t as favorable. Despite a solid performance with 36 saves on 39 shots, the Rangers shut out the Red Wings 3-0.

John Davidson made just 23 saves for the shutout, as the Rangers controlled much of the play. The game remained scoreless until Pete Stemkowski broke the deadlock at 14:42 of the second period. In the third, SteveVickers and Walt Tkaczuk added goals to seal the win for New York.

About Ed Giacomin

Eddie Giacomin played 609 regular season and 65 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1965-66 and 1977-78 with the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings. Ed was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rangers retired his jersey number 1 in 1989.

He was a First Team All-Star twie and was selected to the Second Team three times. In 1970-71, he shared the Vezina Trophy with Gilles Villemure. His 54 career regular season shutouts tie him for 24^th all-time with Bernie Parent. Before getting his start with the Rangers, Giacomin spent seven years in the minors playing for six different teams in three leagues.

NHL Hockey Card Greats: Ed Giacomin

Bernie Parent: Backbone of the Flyers Historic 1973-74 Season Starts It Off With A Pair Of Shutouts

When hockey fans discuss the legendary 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers, the conversation often centers around their hard-hitting identity and the infamous "Broad Street Bullies" style that defined the era. But while their physicality set the tone, the foundation of the Flyers' Stanley Cup championship was built in net, thanks to elite goaltending by Bernie Parent.

A Dominant Start to a Legendary Season

Parent kicked off his record-setting campaign with back-to-back shutouts to open the season. On October 11, 1973, the Flyers hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Spectrum. In a game that saw early fireworks, including a first-period fight between Dave Schultz and Borje Salming, Philadelphia came out on top with a 2-0 victory. Goals from Terry Crisp and Bill Barber sealed the win, while Parent stopped all 28 shots he faced. Across the ice, former Flyers goalie Doug Favell made 22 saves on 24 shots for Toronto.

Just two nights later, the Flyers visited Long Island to face the New York Islanders. Parent was once again perfect, turning aside all 23 shots in a 6-0 rout. Bill Flett scored the game-winning goal just 1:49 into the first period. Philadelphia showcased their penalty-killing strength with two shorthanded goals, one from Flett and another by Barber, assisted by Bobby Clarke. Don Saleski led the offensive charge with two goals and an assist.

Vezina-Worthy Performance

By Christmas, Bernie Parent had already recorded seven of his league-leading 12 shutouts. He appeared in 73 of the Flyers' 78 regular-season games, finishing with a remarkable 1.89 goals-against average. His performance earned him the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender and a second-place finish in Hart Trophy voting, just behind Boston’s Phil Esposito.

Postseason Heroics and the Conn Smythe Trophy

Parent continued his dominance into the 1974 NHL playoffs, adding two more shutouts and posting a 2.02 GAA. His stellar play backstopped the Flyers to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship. For his efforts, Bernie Parent was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the postseason.

About Bernie Parent

Brought up in the Boston Bruins system, Bernie Parent played 608 regular season and 71 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1965-66 and 1978-79 with the Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also appeared in 63 regular season games and one more in the post season with the Philadelphia Blazers of the WHA in 1972-73.

A Hockey Hall of Fame member since 1984, Parent had his jersey number 1 retired by the Flyers in 1979. Berie won the Conn Smythe Trophy and Vezina Trophy in both 1973-74 and 1974-75 while leading Philadelphia to consecutive Stanley Cup championships. In both those years, he recorded 12 shutouts and was named an NHL First Team All-Star. He finished his career with 55 regular season and six playoff shutouts.

Ron Francis Torches His Cousin Mike Liut in Their First NHL Matchup

Ron Francis began the 1981-82 season playing junior hockey with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. Just 25 games in, he was called up to the NHL by the Hartford Whalers and quickly made an impact, producing better than a point per game over 59 contests that season. In just his 11th game with Hartford, Francis faced off against the St. Louis Blues and his second cousin, goaltender Mike Liut, for the first time in the NHL.

The matchup took place on December 9,1981, at the Hartford Civic Center, and it was a rough night for Liut and the Blues. Francis assisted on a Blaine Stoughton goal at 8:02 of the second period, which would stand as the game-winner in a dominant 5-1 victory. Later that period, Francis added two power-play goals of his own to stretch the Whalers' lead to 4-0.

He capped off his four-point night with another assist on Stoughton's second goal of the game and 20th of the season at 15:53 of the third period. Liut made 35 saves on 40 shots, including six from Stoughton and four from Francis himself. At the other end, GregMillen stopped 33 of 34 shots to earn the win for Hartford.

The cousins would eventually become teammates. On February 21, 1985, the Whalers acquired Liut and Jorgen Pettersson from St. Louis in exchange for Millen and Mark Johnson. Liut remained in Hartford until late in the 1989-90 season, when he was dealt to the Washington Capitals for Yvon Corriveau. Francis stayed with the Whalers until near the end of the 1990-91 season, when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NHL Hockey Card Greats: Mike Liut [Video]