Syl Apps Explodes For Six Points As Islanders Suffer Rough Start

When the New York Islanders entered the NHL for the 1972-73 season, few imagined that just eight years later they would become a dynasty with four straight Stanley Cup championships. Their early years, however, were filled with growing pains and one December night in Pittsburgh highlighted just how far they had to go.

On December 13, 1972, the expansion Islanders came into the Civic Arena with a dismal 3-21-3 record, having already allowed nine or more goals three times. Against the Penguins, things quickly spiraled out of control. Pittsburgh fired nine unanswered goals past beleaguered New York goaltender Gerry Desjardins, who faced a staggering 55 shots on the night. The Islanders only avoided being shut out when they scored with six seconds left, barely spoiling Denis Herron’s quiet evening in the other crease.

The star of the night was Syl Apps Jr., who delivered the finest offensive performance of his 1972-73 season. Apps recorded a hat trick, his first of three career NHL hat tricks, while also setting up three more goals for a six-point masterpiece. His linemate Lowell MacDonald added two goals and two assists, while Al McDonough chipped in with a goal and three helpers.

For Apps, this game was one of the highlights of a productive campaign. Along with this six-point night, he notched a five-point game against Toronto and three four-point outings. His offensive flair reached another peak in December 1977, when he tallied his only career four-goal game against the Los Angeles Kings.

About Syl Apps

Syl Apps played 727 regular season and 23 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1970-71 and 1979-80 with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings. He was a playoff champion with both the Omaha Knights in the CHL and the Buffalo Bisons in the AHL in 1969-70.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Syl Apps Jr.

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

1. Which NHL team did Syl Apps Jr. spend the majority of his career with?

New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins
Los Angeles Kings
Toronto Maple Leafs

2. How many career NHL hat tricks did Syl Apps Jr. record?

1
3
5
7

3. In which season did Apps record his only four-goal game?

1972-73
1974-75
1977-78
1979-80

4. What was Syl Apps Jr.’s highest single-season point total in the NHL?

70
85
99
110

5. Which NHL franchise originally drafted Syl Apps Jr. in 1964?

Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins

Two Goals in Six Seconds: Turgeon’s Historic Whalers Moment

On March 28, 1987, Sylvain Turgeon snapped out of a scoring slump in dramatic fashion for the Hartford Whalers. Facing Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Hartford Civic Center, Turgeon delivered one of the most memorable performances in franchise history.

After scoring just one goal in his previous eight games, Turgeon opened the scoring late in the first period, beating Pat Riggin unassisted. The second period turned into a wild offensive showcase, with six goals scored in just over five minutes.

Lemieux tied the game at 13:39 with his 53rd goal of the season, but Turgeon responded instantly. Just 20 seconds later, he notched his second of the night. Six seconds after that, he completed the hat trick. The two lightning-quick tallies remain a Whalers franchise record for the fastest two goals by a single player. Even after the team relocated and became the Carolina Hurricanes, the closest anyone has come was Ray Whitney’s two goals in 31 seconds back in 2007.

The Whalers went on to win 5-4, thanks to a clutch goal from captain Ron Francis. Turgeon himself fired 10 of Hartford’s 22 total shots, while goaltender Mike Liut made 19 saves for the victory.

Turgeon went on to play 669 regular season and 36 playoff games in the NHL with the Whalers, New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators. Twice he hit the 40-goal plateau in Hartford, peaking with a career-best 45 in 1985-86.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Sylvain Turgeon

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

1. Which NHL team drafted Sylvain Turgeon second overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft?

Montreal Canadiens
Hartford Whalers
Ottawa Senators
New Jersey Devils

2. Turgeon’s career-best season came in 1985-86 with how many goals scored for Hartford?

35
40
45
50

3. Which of the following teams did Sylvain Turgeon NOT play for during his NHL career?

Hartford Whalers
Montreal Canadiens
New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs

4. In March 1987, Turgeon set a Hartford Whalers record by scoring two goals just six seconds apart. Who were the opponents that night?

Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins
Buffalo Sabres
New York Rangers

5. Across his NHL career, how many regular season games did Sylvain Turgeon play?

450
669
710
820

Dick Redmond’s Big Night Overshadows Brother Mickey

On December 5, 1973, the Detroit Olympia hosted a special sibling showdown. Mickey Redmond, in the middle of back-to-back 50-goal seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, faced off against his younger brother Dick and the powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks.

While Mickey was the proven sniper, the night belonged to Dick. The Blackhawks exploded for four first-period goals, and Dick Redmond had a hand in every one of them. He assisted on two goals by Stan Mikita and one by Dennis Hull, while also scoring one of his own with help from Bill White. Incredibly, the first three came in a span of just 1:10, and they represented a shorthanded goal, a power play goal, and one at even strength.

Detroit battled back with goals from Red Berenson and Henry Boucha, but the Blackhawks dominated in an 8-2 win. Mickey, meanwhile, was limited to penalty minutes, picking up three minors in the second period and another in the third. In total, the Redmond brothers combined for the first four penalties of the second frame. Dick even outshot his sniper sibling 8-4, making it a rare night where he got the upper hand.

For the 1973-74 season as a whole, Mickey’s scoring touch was undeniable, finishing with 51 goals to Dick’s 17. But in playmaking, Dick held the edge with 42 assists compared to Mickey’s 26. Though they never played together in the NHL, both had once worn the uniform of the Peterborough Petes in 1966-67.

About Dick Redmond

Between 1969-70 and 1981-82, Dick Redmond played 771 regular season and 66 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars, California Golden Seals, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Atlanta Flames and Boston Bruins. He was orginally the fifth overall pick at the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft by the North Stars.

About Mickey Redmond

Mickey Redmond played 538 regular season and 14 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1967-68 and 1975-76 with the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings. He won two Stanley Cups with the Habs and was 50 goal scorer for the Red Wings in two consecutive seasons.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Dick and Mickey Redmond

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

1. Which team did Dick Redmond spend the majority of his NHL career with?

Detroit Red Wings
Chicago Blackhawks
Boston Bruins
Atlanta Flames

2. Mickey Redmond is best remembered for scoring consecutive 50-goal seasons with which team?

Montreal Canadiens
Detroit Red Wings
Los Angeles Kings
Toronto Maple Leafs

3. In the December 5, 1973 game at Detroit Olympia, how many points did Dick Redmond register?

Two
Three
Four
Five

4. Which Redmond brother became a well-known TV broadcaster after his playing career?

Mickey Redmond
Dick Redmond
Both
Neither

5. Before reaching the NHL, both Redmond brothers played junior hockey for which team?

Oshawa Generals
Peterborough Petes
Kitchener Rangers
London Knights