Don Marcotte Pulls Off Rare Feat: Scores Two Shorthanded Goals on the Same Penalty Kill

In a moment that’s etched in Boston Bruins history, Don Marcotte pulled off one of the rarest feats in NHL hockey: scoring two shorthanded goals during the same penalty kill. This incredible performance took place on opening night of the 1970-71 NHL season against the Detroit Red Wings at the historic Boston Garden. It was an unforgettable display of penalty-killing brilliance and offensive skill.

A Strong Start for the Bruins' 1970-71 Season

The Boston Bruins entered the third period with a 4-2 lead over the visiting Detroit Red Wings. Just over five minutes into the period, Bruins defenseman Bill Speer was sent to the penalty box for holding, his second penalty of the period. The Red Wings saw this as an opportunity to claw their way back into the game. However, Don Marcotte had other plans.

Don Marcotte's Shorthanded Masterclass

Just 25 seconds into the penalty, at 5:34 of the third period, Marcotte intercepted the puck and scored unassisted on Detroit goaltender Roy Edwards, giving the Bruins a commanding 5-2 lead.

But he wasn’t done.

Just over a minute later, still during the Speer minor, Marcotte found the net again, this time with assists from Ed Westfall and Rick Smith. That second short-handed goal, scored at 6:38, stretched Boston’s lead to 6-2 and effectively sealed the win.

Bruins Dominate in 7-3 Victory Over Red Wings

Although each team added a goal before the final horn, the Bruins' dominance was clear. The game ended with a 7-3 Boston win. Rick Smith and Ken Hodge both tallied three points, while Detroit’s PeteStemkowski notched a goal and an assist.

Despite facing 42 shots on goal, Detroit's goalie Roy Edwards could only stop 35, including just two from Marcotte, both of which found the back of the net.

Marcotte’s 1970-71 NHL Season: A Shorthanded Threat

Marcotte finished the 1970-71 season with 15 goals, seven of them shorthanded. This tied him for second-most shorthanded goals in the NHL that year, alongside teammate Ed Westfall and just one behind league leader DaveKeon.

Notably, Marcotte repeated his short-handed heroics later that season, scoring two more shorties in a December 25, 1970 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The first of those was the game-winning goal, adding another chapter to his incredible season.

Why Don Marcotte's Feat Still Matters

Scoring one shorthanded goal is tough. Scoring two during the same penalty kill is almost unheard of, even decades later. Marcotte’s performance on that October night remains a shining example of defensive discipline and offensive instinct and it's a big reason he's remembered as one of the Bruins' most dependable two-way forwards.

About Don Marcotte

Don Marcotte spent his entire career in the Boston Bruins organization, starting with the Victoriaville Bruins and Niagara Falls Flyers in junior, along with the Oklahoma City Blazers, Hershey Bears and Boston Braves in the minors. He played his first NHL game with the Bruins in 1965-66 while still a junior with Niagara Falls.

Between 1965-66 and 1981-82, Marcotte played 868 regular season and 132 playoff games in the National Hockey League. He was a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Boston, going with his Memorial Cup win with the N.F. Flyers, CHL title with Oklahoma City and Calder Cup win with Hershey.

Of his 230 regular season goals in the NHL, 21 were shorthanded. He also had 21 shorthanded assists. He also had three goals and two assists on the penalty kill in the post season. Don reached the 20 goal plateau in seven seasons and had a career high 31 goals in 1974-75 with Boston.

Bobby Hull vs Bronco Horvath: 1960 Art Ross Trophy Showdown in Season Finale

In a thrilling conclusion to the 1959-60 NHL regular season, Chicago Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull narrowly captured the Art Ross Trophy, edging out Boston Bruins forward Bronco Horvath by a single point. The two scoring leaders went head-to-head on March 20, 1960, at the historic Boston Garden in what became a memorable offensive showdown.

Heading into the final game, Horvath led the league with 80 points and topped the NHL goal-scoring list with 39. Hull trailed closely behind with 79 points and 38 goals. With the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top point scorer, hanging in the balance, all eyes were on these two stars.

Midway through the second period, Hull tied Horvath in both points and goals, scoring his 39th goal of the season on a powerplay against Bruins goaltender Don Simmons. The goal was assisted by Pierre Pilote and Elmer Vasko. Then, with just under seven minutes remaining in the third period, Hull notched a critical assist on an Eric Nesterenko goal, bringing his point total to 81.

Despite the Bruins scoring five goals in the 5-5 tie, Horvath was held off the scoresheet. He registered three shots on Blackhawks netminder Glenn Hall but failed to tally a point. Teammates DougMohns and Don McKenney led the way for Boston with three points each.

Hull’s late-game heroics earned him his first career Art Ross Trophy, the first of three he would go on to win. While Horvath shared the league lead in goals, he fell just short in the overall points race. The 1959-60 season marked the pinnacle of Horvath’s NHL career, which declined shortly thereafter. In a twist of fate, he later joined Hull on the Blackhawks roster during the 1961-62 season.

About Bobby Hull

For Bobby Hull, his narrow Art Ross Trophy win in 1959-60 was the first of three over his NHL career, all with the Chicago Blackhawks. He would also win the Hart Trophy twice to go with his one Stanley Cup championship with the Hawks in 1960-61.

Between 1957-58 and 1979-80, Hull played 1,063 regular season and 119 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets and Hartford Whalers. He alos appeared in 411 regular season and 60 playoff games in the WHA between 1972-73 and 1978-79, all with the Winnipeg Jets.

The Golden Jet was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. That same year, the Blackhawks retired his jersey number 9. It was the second number to be retired by the club following Stan Mikita in 1980.

About Bronco Horvath

Bronco Horvath played 434 regular season and 36 playoff games in the NHL between 1955-56 and 1967-68 with the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota North Stars. He spent six years in the minors before making his NHL debut with the Rangers.

His 39 goal and 80 points season in 1959-60 was the pinnacle of Horvath's NHL career. His 30 goals in 1957-58 was the only other time he surpassed the 20 goal plateau. In the minors, he won a scoring title in the WHL with the Edmonton Flyers in 1954-55. He won a championship with the Flyers that year and was part of three Calder Cup championship teams with the Rochester Americans of the AHL.

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