NHL 3 Star Time Warp: February 17, 1973

From our "NHL 3 Star Time Warp" series on our Facebook Page: A look back at the 3 stars from NHL games played on February 17, 1973.

Third Star: Danny Grant of the Minnesota North Stars

Facing the high-powered Boston Bruins, Danny Grant delivered one of his best performances of the season, leading the Minnesota North Stars to a convincing 5-2 victory. Grant recorded a hat trick and added an assist for a four-point night, proving to be the difference-maker against one of the NHL’s elite clubs.

Grant found the back of the net three times, scoring his 21st, 22nd, and 23rd goals of the 1972-73 campaign. He also set up a goal by Jude Drouin, contributing directly to four of Minnesota’s five goals.

The only North Stars goal that did not involve Grant came off the stick of J.P. Parise. That marker ultimately stood as the game-winning goal, while Grant’s offensive outburst secured him Third Star honors.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

Buy on Amazon

Second Star: Ron Ellis of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Although he was the only member of the night’s three stars not to record a hat trick, Ron Ellis still put together an outstanding performance for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 6-2 victory over the New York Islanders.

Ellis scored twice and added an assist on a goal by Dave Keon, finishing with three points. His first goal of the game, his 19th of the season, eventually held up as the game winner.

He capped off his evening with a shorthanded tally late in the second period, helping Toronto pull away and earning Second Star recognition.

First Star: Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers

In one of the most entertaining games of the night, Bobby Clarke powered the Philadelphia Flyers to a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum.

Clarke recorded a hat trick and added an assist on a goal by Simon Nolet, giving him a four-point performance. His leadership and offensive production were crucial in a back-and-forth contest that remained undecided until the closing minutes.

The Flyers captain completed his hat trick at 16:31 of the third period, scoring his 29th goal of the season. That goal proved to be the game winner, sealing the dramatic win and earning Clarke First Star honors.

Video Version

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

NHL 3 Star Time Warp: December 5, 1970

From our "NHL 3 Star Time Warp" series on our Facebook Page: A look back at the 3 stars from NHL games played on November 5, 1970.

Third Star: Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks traveled to Minnesota to take on the North Stars and found themselves trailing 1-0 after the opening period thanks to a goal from Bill Goldsworthy. Chicago responded in impressive fashion, rattling off four straight goals. Stan Mikita got the comeback rolling at 3:01 of the second period, scoring his third goal of the 1970-71 season with help from Dennis Hull.

Mikita wasn't finished there. In the third period, he picked up assists on goals by Jerry Korab and Cliff Koroll, finishing the night with a goal and two helpers in Chicago’s 4-1 victory. Koroll nearly completed a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, recording a goal and a fight after dropping the gloves with J.P. Parise in the second period, but fell one assist short.

Forever a Blackhawk

A tribute to Stan Mikita — one of the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all time and a Hall of Famer.

Buy on Amazon

Second Star: Ernie Wakely of the St. Louis Blues

At St. Louis Arena, Ernie Wakely turned aside all 29 shots he faced to backstop the Blues to a 3-0 shutout victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Wakely was particularly sharp against Nick Libett, who led Detroit with five shots but could not solve the Blues netminder.

While Wakely earned the clean sheet, Jim Lorentz provided the offensive spark, scoring the first two goals of the game for St. Louis. The combination of timely scoring and steady goaltending ensured the Blues skated away with the win.

First Star: Ed Giacomin of the New York Rangers

A tightly contested goaltending duel unfolded at Maple Leaf Gardens as Ed Giacomin and the New York Rangers edged Jacques Plante and the Toronto Maple Leafs 1-0. Giacomin was flawless, stopping all 38 shots he faced, while Plante was nearly as strong, making 30 saves on 31 shots.

The game's only goal came just 38 seconds into the second period when Pete Stemkowski scored his fourth of the season unassisted. Toronto pressed throughout the night, with Paul Henderson firing a game-high eight shots on goal and Norm Ullman adding seven, but Giacomin stood tall to secure the shutout and First Star honours.

Video Version

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

Mark Messier and Dave Lumley Set an NHL Record in 1981-82 (Wayne Gretzky Made History Too)

On March 28, 1982, hockey fans witnessed one of the most famous goals in NHL history when Wayne Gretzky scored his record-breaking 92nd goal of the season against the Los Angeles Kings. More than four decades later, it remains one of the sport’s most untouchable records.

---

Highlights

• Wayne Gretzky scored his historic 92nd goal of the 1981-82 season

• Mark Messier scored just 14 seconds into the game

• Dave Lumley added another goal only 10 seconds later

• Edmonton set an NHL record with two goals in the first 24 seconds

• Glenn Anderson scored twice in the opening period

• Kings goalie Doug Keans allowed four goals on seven shots

• The Oilers defeated Los Angeles 6-2 at the Forum

• Dave Lumley finished with two points and 14 penalty minutes

---

But before Gretzky made history at the Forum in Los Angeles, the Edmonton Oilers had already set another NHL record that still stands today.

Just 14 seconds into the opening period, Mark Messier beat Kings goaltender Doug Keans for his 47th goal of the season, with Lee Fogolin picking up the assist. Before the crowd had time to settle back into their seats, Dave Lumley struck just ten seconds later, scoring his 31st of the year with help from Kevin Lowe.

The two Edmonton goals came within the first 24 seconds of the game, establishing a new NHL record for the fastest two goals by one team to begin a game. The previous record of 29 seconds had been set by the Pittsburgh Penguins only one season earlier.

Things only got worse for Los Angeles from there. Glenn Anderson scored twice in the opening period, including one at the 10:51 mark that made it 4-0 Edmonton. After surrendering four goals on just seven shots, Keans was replaced by Mike Blake. Blake settled things down by stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced, but the Oilers offense had already taken control.

Messier later added his second goal of the game, and then came the moment hockey history remembers best. At 1:50 of the third period, Gretzky fired home goal number 92, surpassing the previous single-season record in unforgettable fashion. The Oilers cruised to a 6-2 victory.

Lumley’s stat line from the game was one of the more unusual of the season. Despite recording only one shot on goal, he scored once and added an assist on Messier’s second tally for a two-point night. He also piled up 14 penalty minutes in the third period and finished tied with Matti Hagman for the team lead at plus-three.

The Battle of Alberta: The Historic Rivalry Between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames

A deep dive into one of hockey’s most intense rivalries — the Edmonton Oilers vs. the Calgary Flames, featuring unforgettable games, personalities, and playoff clashes.

Buy on Amazon

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