Johnny Bower’s Final NHL Shutout: A Vintage Performance in Philadelphia

On December 12, 1968, in the twilight of his remarkable career, Johnny Bower turned back the clock one last time. Playing at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, the veteran netminder stopped all 27 shots he faced to backstop the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 1-0 win over the Flyers. Ron Ellis provided the game’s lone goal, beating Bernie Parent for the decisive tally. Among the Flyers, Simon Nolet kept Bower busiest, firing five shots on goal.

Earlier that same 1968-69 season, Bower had recorded his final home shutout at Maple Leaf Gardens, a 2-0 victory over the Boston Bruins. In that contest, he turned aside 29 shots while Larry Mickey and Dave Keon did the scoring. Keon’s third-period shorthanded marker against Gerry Cheevers sealed the win, in a game that also featured a spirited scrap between Tim Horton and Derek Sanderson.

That season would be Bower’s last as a regular contributor, appearing in 20 regular-season and four playoff games while sharing duties with Bruce Gamble. The following year, he suited up for just a single game before retiring from the NHL.

Between 1953-54 and 1969-70, Bower appeared in 552 regular season and 74 playoff games with the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Known for his fearless play and famous poke check, “The China Wall” became one of hockey’s most beloved figures and, fittingly, his career ended as it had so often been defined: with a shutout.

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976, Johnny Bower’s final blanking of the Flyers remains a classic example of his enduring brilliance between the pipes.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Johnny Bower

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

1. Before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, Johnny Bower began his NHL career with which team?

Chicago Black Hawks
New York Rangers
Detroit Red Wings
Boston Bruins

2. Bower was affectionately nicknamed “The China Wall.” What was the main reason for this nickname?

His unbreakable goaltending style
His time spent playing in China
His habit of wearing a mask made in China
His connection to the Great Wall through his ancestry

3. How many Stanley Cups did Johnny Bower win with the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Two
Three
Four
Five

4. What unique goaltending technique was Johnny Bower especially known for perfecting?

The butterfly style
The poke check
The stand-up save
The glove flash

5. In what year was Johnny Bower inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

1970
1972
1976
1980

Rick Blight Scores Four Goals in Canucks’ 1976-77 Season Opener

When the Vancouver Canucks opened their 1976-77 NHL season on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 6, 1976, most of the team looked nervous and out of sync. Everyone, that is, except Rick Blight.

In a wild 9-5 loss to the Penguins, Blight was a one-man show for Vancouver, scoring four of the team’s five goals on just five shots. All four came against Pittsburgh goalie Gord Laxton, and three were on the power play. Mike Walton assisted on every one of Blight’s goals, earning a four-point night of his own.

That performance kicked off what would become Blight’s best NHL season. He went on to score 24 more goals that year for a career-high 28, along with 40 assists and 68 total points, leading the Canucks in both goals and points. Defenseman Dennis Kearns led the team in assists with 55.

A native of Manitoba and a tenth overall pick in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft after a standout junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Blight’s time in the NHL was brief but impressive. Between 1975-76 and 1982-83, he appeared in 326 regular season games and five playoff contests with the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings. He was also briefly on the rosters of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, though he never suited up for either team.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Rick Blight

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

1. Rick Blight was selected 10th overall in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft. Which team drafted him?
   a) Toronto Maple Leafs
   b) Vancouver Canucks
   c) Los Angeles Kings
   d) Edmonton Oilers
   


2. Blight scored four goals in one game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in October 1976. How many shots did he take that night?
   a) Three
   b) Four
   c) Five
   d) Six
   


3. What were Rick Blight’s career highs in goals and points during the 1976-77 NHL season?
   a) 28 goals and 68 points
   b) 30 goals and 70 points
   c) 24 goals and 60 points
   d) 26 goals and 66 points
   


4. Before joining the NHL, Blight starred for which junior hockey team?
   a) Flin Flon Bombers
   b) Brandon Wheat Kings
   c) Regina Pats
   d) Medicine Hat Tigers
   


5. Rick Blight also spent time under contract with two other NHL clubs but never played for them. Which teams were they?
   a) Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers
   b) Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings
   c) Montreal Canadiens and Atlanta Flames
   d) New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres
   

Perreault’s Opening Night Hat Trick Launches Sabres’ 1974-75 Season

The 1974-75 NHL season began with a bang at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium as the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Boston Bruins. It was a matchup between two powerhouse clubs, but the night quickly turned into a showcase for Buffalo’s star center, Gilbert Perreault.

While rookie Danny Gare grabbed headlines by scoring just 18 seconds into his first NHL game, Perreault made sure his own performance wouldn’t be overlooked, racking up three goals and two assists in a vintage display of speed and skill.

Perreault had been limited to just 55 games the previous season and was eager to make an impact. After Boston took a 2–1 lead, he tied the game midway through the first period with a power-play goal, and fittingly, it came while Bobby Orr sat in the penalty box. Assists went to Jim Lorentz and Jerry Korab.

The second period was all Buffalo, as the Sabres exploded for four goals to take a commanding 6-2 lead. Perreault set up two of them, both scored by linemate Rick Martin of the famed French Connection line.

Just over two minutes into the third, Perreault scored again to make it 7-2, with Martin and René Robert collecting assists. He completed his hat trick late in the period with an unassisted power-play goal, sealing a 9-5 victory in front of a roaring home crowd.

The Sabres fired 40 shots at Bruins goalie Gilles Gilbert, while Buffalo’s own Gary Bromley made 13 saves on 18 shots. Despite some loose defense, it was the kind of offensive outburst that defined the high-flying Sabres of the 1970s. Buffalo went on to dominate the season series, winning five of seven meetings with Boston.

About Gilbert Perreault 

Gilbert Perreault played 1,191 regular season and 90 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1970-71 and 1986-87, all with the Buffalo Sabres. Perreault was the first overall selection at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

NHL Hockey Trivia: Gilbert Perreault

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

1. In what year did Gilbert Perreault become the first-ever draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres?
   1968
   1970
   1972
   1974
2. Perreault centered one of the most famous lines in NHL history. What was it called?
   The Sabre Sword Line
   The French Connection
   The Golden Trio
   The Buffalo Blitz
3. What major NHL milestone did Gilbert Perreault achieve during the 1981-82 season?
   500th goal
   1,000th career point
   1,500th game played
   First playoff hat trick
4. Perreault represented Canada in the 1972 Summit Series. How many goals did he score in that historic tournament?
   0
   1
   3
   5
5. How many total regular-season points did Gilbert Perreault record in his NHL career?
   1,078
   1,326
   1,210
   1,502