Thursday, August 14, 2025

Pete Laframboise’s Historic 4-Goal Night Lifts Golden Seals to 11-3 Rout


On January 3, 1973, Pete Laframboise etched his name into California Golden Seals history with a jaw-dropping four-goal performance, the first in franchise history. Incredibly, those four tallies made up 12% of his entire NHL career goals.

The game, played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena against the Vancouver Canucks, was tight after two periods with the Seals holding a 5-3 lead. Then came the third period eruption, six unanswered California goals, sealing an 11-3 rout.

Laframboise opened the scoring at 8:21 of the first period, burying his seventh of the season past Bruce Bullock, assisted by Walt McKechnie and Hilliard Graves. His second came on the power play at 14:36 of the second, with helpers from Graves and Stan Weir.

The real fireworks came in the third. Laframboise struck twice in quick succession, both set up by Graves and Weir, pushing the score to 9-3. Only three players in Seals history would ever match the feat of four goals in a game: Ivan Boldirev, Gary Sabourin, and Dennis Maruk. Boldirev also had a huge night in this game with two goals (including the game-winner) and two assists.

Goaltending was a story of contrasts. Bullock stayed between the pipes for Vancouver the entire night, surrendering 11 goals on 44 shots. Gilles Meloche, meanwhile, earned the win for California with 26 saves, picking up an assist on the final goal and even taking a delay of game penalty late in the second period.

About Pete Laframboise

Pete Laframboise’s NHL career spanned 227 regular season games and nine playoff appearances between 1971-72 and 1974-75, skating for the Golden Seals, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He also played 17 games for the Edmonton Oilers in the WHA during the 1976-77 season. Drafted in the second round by California in 1970, Laframboise made the leap to the pros after a standout junior career with the Ottawa 67’s.


NHL Hockey Trivia: California Golden Seals

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia
  1. What year did the Oakland Seals join the NHL?


  2. Before becoming the California Golden Seals, the team was briefly known as:


  3. Which future Conn Smythe Trophy winner played for the Seals before becoming a star with another team?


  4. In 1976, the Golden Seals franchise relocated to which city?


  5. What were the Golden Seals’ team colors during most of the 1970s?


Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Hull and Hall Power Blackhawks Past Red Wings in 1962 Olympia Showdown


Both the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings were underachieving going into a February 1, 1962 match-up in Motown. The defending Stanley Cup champs from Chicago were one game over .500. The Wings, despite an all-star lineup that included Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Norm Ullman and Terry Sawchuk, were six games below even.

Detroit jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first period with Delvecchio assisting on the first two and scoring the third. However, Bobby Hull and the Blackhawks burst out of the gates in the second and the score was tied at four after two. Hull scored his 27th and 28th of the season in that second frame.

In the third, it was all Chicago. Reggie Fleming scored the game winning goal while Hull scored two more, his 29th and 30th of the 1961-62 campaign, for a four goal game in the 7-4 win. Bill Hay assisted on three of the four.

But, if it wasn't for goalie Glenn Hall, the game could have ended up quite different. Detroit pounded Mr. Goalie with 55 shots, with Hall turning away nearly 93%. Delvecchio led the way with eight while Warren Godfrey, Claude Laforge and Len Lunde each had six. At the other end of the ice, Terry Sawchuk faced a modest 27 shots while allowing the seven goals.

For Bobby Hull, 1961-62 was the first of five times he would reach the 50 goal plateau. At the time, just Maurice Richard and Bernie Geoffrion had accomplished the feat. That year, Bobby was a First Team All-Star while Glenn Hall made the Second Team.


Hockey Trivia Quiz: Hull and Hall vs. the Red Wings – February 1, 1962

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia
  1. Who scored four goals for the Chicago Blackhawks in this game?


  2. How many shots did Glenn Hall face from the Red Wings?


  3. Which Detroit player had a goal and two assists in the first period?


  4. Who scored the game-winning goal for Chicago?


  5. In 1961-62, Bobby Hull reached the 50-goal plateau for the first time. Before him, how many players had done so?


Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Bob Nevin’s Final Goals as a Ranger Eliminate the Maple Leafs in 1971 Playoffs


Bob Nevin’s NHL journey began with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he played a key role in two Stanley Cup championships before being traded to the New York Rangers in a blockbuster February 22, 1964 deal. Alongside Dick Duff, Bill Collins, Arnie Brown, and Rod Seiling, Nevin was sent to New York in exchange for Don McKenney and Andy Bathgate, missing out on Toronto’s third straight Cup later that spring.

Fast forward to April 15, 1971. Nevin delivered a playoff performance Leafs fans would rather forget. In Game 6 of the quarter-final series, the veteran forward scored both New York goals in a 2-1 overtime victory, single-handedly eliminating his former team. His first came at 12:39 of the second period, beating Jacques Plante with help from Walt Tkaczuk and Vic Hadfield. After Jim McKenny tied it late in the third, Nevin struck again at 9:07 of overtime to clinch the series.

Nevin was unstoppable that series, netting all five of his playoff goals in the six games against Toronto, along with two assists for seven points. However, his scoring touch cooled in the semi-final against Chicago, where he managed just one assist as the Rangers fell in seven games.

Just three weeks later, Nevin was dealt to the Minnesota North Stars for Bobby Rousseau. He spent two seasons in Minnesota before finishing his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings and wrapping up his major league days with the WHA’s Edmonton Oilers.


Hockey Trivia: Bob Nevin

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia
  1. Bob Nevin began his NHL career with which team?
    New York Rangers
    Toronto Maple Leafs
    Minnesota North Stars
    Los Angeles Kings
  2. In which playoff year did Nevin score both New York goals in game 6 to eliminate the Maple Leafs?
    1967
    1971
    1973
    1975
  3. Who was the Maple Leafs goaltender Nevin scored on for the Game 6 overtime winner?
    Jacques Plante
    Johnny Bower
    Bernie Parent
    Eddie Johnston
  4. After leaving the Rangers, Nevin was traded to which team?
    Chicago Blackhawks
    St. Louis Blues
    Minnesota North Stars
    Philadelphia Flyers
  5. Nevin ended his major league hockey career playing in which league?
    NHL
    WHA
    AHL
    IHL