Ralph Backstrom’s 2 Goals in 6 Seconds Set Kings Record

When the Boston Bruins visited the Los Angeles Kings at the Forum on November 2, 1972, Ralph Backstrom delivered one of the fastest scoring bursts in Kings history.

Backstrom was already riding a hot streak, with 8 goals and 9 assists over a seven-game stretch. Against Boston, the game was tied 1-1 entering the third period, with Serge Bernier scoring for L.A. late in the first and Mike Walton tallying for the Bruins.

At 8:30 of the third, Backstrom put the Kings ahead 2-1 with his sixth goal of the season, beating Boston goalie Eddie Johnston unassisted. Just six seconds later, he struck again, this time with help from Butch Goring, to extend the lead to 3-1. The Kings went on to win 5-2, with Backstrom firing seven of the team’s 33 shots on net. Goalie Gary Edwards held Boston to just two goals on 31 shots.

Backstrom finished the 1972-73 season with 20 goals in 63 games for the Kings, including six game-winners. Traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in February 1973, he wrapped up his NHL career before moving to the WHA.

His two goals in six seconds remain a Kings franchise record. The closest anyone has come since was Jari Kurri’s pair in 1991, just ten seconds apart.

About Ralph Backstrom

Ralph Backstrom played 1,032 regular season and 116 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1956-57 and 1972-73 with the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks. In 1958-59, Ralph was awarded the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year. With the Habs, Backstrom was a six-time Stanley Cup champion.

In the WHA, Backstrom played another 304 regular season and 38 playoff games between 1973-74 and 1976-77 with the Chicago Cougars, Ottawa Civics and New England Whalers. In his first year with Chicago he scored 33 goals, the most over his major league career.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Ralph Backstrom

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

1. Ralph Backstrom played the majority of his career with which NHL team?

Los Angeles Kings
Chicago Blackhawks
Montreal Canadiens
Minnesota North Stars

2. How many Stanley Cups did Ralph Backstrom win as a member of the Montreal Canadiens?

3
6
4
2

3. In 1972, Backstrom set a Kings franchise record by scoring two goals how many seconds apart?

4 seconds
6 seconds
8 seconds
10 seconds

4. Which player assisted on Backstrom’s second goal in that record-setting 1972 game?

Serge Bernier
Eddie Johnston
Butch Goring
Jari Kurri

5. After his NHL career, Ralph Backstrom played in which league before retiring?

WHA
AHL
IHL
OHA

Guy Charron’s Hat Trick Sparks Red Wings To 5-4 Victory Over Leafs

On November 11, 1973, Guy Charron delivered one of the best performances of his NHL career, scoring three goals to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Olympia Stadium.

Charron, known for playing 734 regular season games without a playoff appearance, was often underrated but had plenty of offensive talent. The 1973-74 campaign marked his breakout year, finishing with 25 goals. Three of those came in this memorable game, his second of five career hat tricks.

He opened the scoring with a first-period powerplay goal, assisted by Mickey Redmond and Ted Harris. Just minutes later, Charron struck again, this time with help from Ace Bailey and Brent Hughes. He completed the hat trick early in the second period, his ninth goal of the season, again assisted by Redmond, giving Detroit a commanding 3-0 lead.

Nick Libett scored Detroit’s other two goals, while Toronto battled back with Norm Ullman (two goals, one assist) and Paul Henderson (three assists) keeping it close. Still, Charron’s scoring touch proved the difference in Detroit’s 5-4 victory.

Charron’s time in Detroit ended early in the 1974-75 season when he was traded to the Kansas City Scouts. He found his stride there, stringing together four straight 27+ goal seasons, including a career-best 38 with the Washington Capitals in 1977-78.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Guy Charron

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

1. How many regular season NHL games did Guy Charron play in his career?

• 534
• 734
• 834
• 934

2. How many playoff games did Charron appear in?

• 0
• 12
• 22
• 34

3. Which team did Guy Charron score his second career hat trick against on November 11, 1973?

• Montreal Canadiens
• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Chicago Blackhawks
• New York Rangers

4. What was Charron’s single-season career high in goals scored?

• 27
• 30
• 35
• 38

5. Which of the following teams did Guy Charron play for during his NHL career?

• Detroit Red Wings, Kansas City Scouts, Washington Capitals
• Detroit Red Wings, Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals
• Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals
• Detroit Red Wings, Kansas City Scouts, Buffalo Sabres

Real Cloutier Nets 3 In 1st NHL Game For The Quebec Nordiques Franchise

In the final season of the WHA, 1978-79, Real Cloutier led the league with 75 goals and 129 points. It's fitting that Cloutier provided the offense in the first game in the NHL for the Quebec Nordiques.

On October 10, 1979, Quebec hosted the Atlanta Flames in their National Hockey League debut. The home team fell 5-3 but the crowd was treated to a third period comeback attempt, fueled by Cloutier and Marc Tardif.

Over the first two periods, Atlanta jumped to a 4-0 lead on goals by Phil Russell, Kent Nilsson, Ivan Boldirev and Willi Plett. At 9:51 of the third period, Cloutier scored the first NHL goal for both him and the Nordiques on future Nordique goalie Dan Bouchard. Just over a minute later, he scored again to make the score 4-2. Eric Vail made it 5-2 Flames before Real scored his hat trick goal at 19:13. All three Cloutier goals were assisted by Marc Tardif.

He would not again see the scoring success he had in the WHA but Cloutier had a decent year in 1979-80 with 42 goals in just 67 games. He would top 20 goals three more times, twice with Quebec and once with the Buffalo Sabres. The 1979-80 Nordiques finished fifth in the Adams Division with the third worst record in the NHL.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Real Cloutier

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

1. In his final WHA season (1978-79), how many goals did Real Cloutier score to lead the league?

• 65
• 70
• 75
• 80

2. Who assisted on all three of Cloutier’s goals in the Quebec Nordiques’ first NHL game in 1979?

• Michel Goulet
• Marc Tardif
• Jacques Richard
• Peter Stastny

3. Which NHL team did Real Cloutier finish his career with after leaving the Nordiques?

• Buffalo Sabres
• Hartford Whalers
• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Calgary Flames

4. How many 50+ goal seasons did Real Cloutier record during his WHA career?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

5. In his first NHL season (1979-80), how many goals did Cloutier score for Quebec in just 67 games?

• 28
• 34
• 42
• 50