John Tonelli’s Lightning-Fast Start Can't Stop Oilers' Offense in 6-4 Loss

The 1984-85 NHL season was a milestone year for New York Islanders forward John Tonelli, who recorded a career-best 100 points with 42 goals and 58 assists. One of his most explosive starts came on December 5, 1984, when the Islanders faced the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum.

Tonelli wasted no time making an impact, scoring just 25 seconds into the game with assists from Mike Bossy and Gerald Diduck. An incredible 16 seconds later, he lit the lamp again, this time with Bossy picking up his second assist. Two goals in just 41 seconds gave the Islanders early momentum.

But the Oilers, led by their dynamic duo of Jari Kurri and Wayne Gretzky, stormed back. Edmonton responded with three straight goals and by the end of the second period, the teams were tied 4-4. In the third, Kurri took over, scoring twice to complete his hat trick. Both he and Gretzky ended the night with five points, driving the Oilers to a 6-4 comeback win.

Tonelli’s early outburst wasn’t his only contribution. He added an assist on a Mike Bossy powerplay goal with two seconds left in the second period, his third point of the night. It was one of eight times during the season that Tonelli notched three or more points in a game, including a remarkable six-point performance earlier in the year against the Los Angeles Kings.

About John Tonelli

A second round pick by the New York Islanders at the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft after his second of three years in the WHA with the Houston Aeros, John Tonelli got his NHL start with the Isles in 1978-79. Between 1978-79 and 1991-92, Tonelli playe 1,028 regular season and 172 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Islanders, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Quebec Nordiques. 

John helped New York to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships and had his jersey number 27 retired by the club in 2020. Over his time in the World Hockey Association, Tonelli played 224 regular season and 34 playoff games between 1975-76 and 1977-78, all with the Houston Aeros. Prior to that, he played major junior with the Toronto Marlboros.

Bernie Geoffrion Booms Back with 4-Point Game Against Former Team

When Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion returned to the NHL in 1966-67, it wasn’t in a Montreal Canadiens jersey, but rather in the blue of the New York Rangers. After retiring in 1964 following the Canadiens’ playoff run, Geoffrion made his comeback three seasons later. His first game back at the Forum was quiet, but the second? Pure Boom Boom.

On November 12, 1966, the Rangers rolled into the Montreal Forum and left with a 6-3 victory over the Habs. Geoffrion led the charge with a standout four-point performance. He scored once and set up goals by Rod Gilbert, fellow former Canadien Bill Hicke, and Harry Howell. Interestingly, he only fired two shots on Gump Worsley, taking on a more creative playmaker role in his triumphant return.

Geoffrion wasn’t the only former Hab making waves. Reg Fleming, who briefly suited up for Montreal earlier in his career, brought chaos and contributions. He assisted on both Geoffrion’s and Howell’s third-period goals, but not before logging serious time in the penalty box.

In the opening frame, Fleming dropped the gloves with Terry Harper, earning five for fighting. Then in the second period, he tangled with Dick Duff for another fighting major and picked up a 10-minute misconduct for good measure. All that downtime seemed to recharge him, as he contributed offensively to seal the Rangers' win.

About Bernie Geoffrion 

Bernie Geoffrion played 883 regular season and 132 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1950-51 and 1967-68 with the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers. He was the second NHL player to reach the 50 goal plateau, scoring exactly 50 for the Habs in 1960-61.

The six time Stanley Cup champion was the Calder Trophy winner as the NHL's top rookie in 1951-52. He won the Art Ross Trophy twice and the Hart Trophy once. Geoffrion was named a first team All-Star once and was selected to the Second Team twice. Bernie was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 and his jersey number 5 was retired by the Canadiens in 2006.

Ray Bourque's Lone NHL Hat Trick Came in a Blowout Win Over the Nordiques

Ray Bourque’s legendary NHL career included 410 goals, five Norris Trophies, and over 1,600 regular season games. Yet, the Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman only recorded a single NHL hat trick, coming in dominant fashion.

On March 8, 1983, the Boston Bruins visited their rivals, the Quebec Nordiques, at Le Colisée. The Bruins overwhelmed Quebec goalie Dan Bouchard in an 11-5 rout. Bourque scored his 18th, 19th, and 20th goals of the 1982-83 season during a blistering ten-minute stretch in the second period. His second tally, Boston’s sixth of the night, stood as the game-winner. He also assisted on a first-period goal by Peter McNab, finishing the night with four points and seven shots on net.

Interestingly, Bourque would again make history against Quebec in 1991 by firing 19 shots in a single game, still the NHL record for most by one player. The blowout saw big contributions across the Bruins roster. McNab tallied five points (two goals, three assists), while Keith Crowder and Rick Middleton each had four-point performances. Bouchard played the full 60 minutes for the Nordiques, surrendering the 11 goals on 38 shots.

Bourque played from 1979-80 through 2000-01 with Boston and Colorado. After more than two decades of elite play, he finally won a Stanley Cup in his final NHL game with the Avalanche. In 2004, he was rightfully enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

About Ray Bourque

The eighth overall pick at the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, Ray Bourque played 1,612 regular season and 214 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1979-80 and 2000-01 with the Bruins and Avalanche. His regular season game total places him 13th all-time, three games behind Larry Murphy. 

Bourque won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 1979-80 then went on to win the Norris Trophy five times as the league's top defenseman. The longest serving team captain in the history of the Boston Bruins has his number 77 retired by both the Bruins and Avalanche. Ray was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.