The 1969 NHL “Nothing Game” That Rewrote the Record Book

The final game of the 1968-69 NHL regular season meant little in the standings for the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. Both Original Six clubs had already been eliminated from postseason contention. Yet on March 30, 1969, at Chicago Stadium, the two rivals delivered one of the most statistically bizarre and historically rich games in league history.

Chicago skated away with a wild 9-5 victory, but the boxscore told a far deeper story than the score alone.

Blackhawks defenseman Pat Stapleton etched his name into the NHL record book by becoming just the second blueliner in league history to record six assists in a single game, tying a 25-year-old mark set by Babe Pratt in 1944. Stapleton’s assists were spread across the lineup: two on goals by Pit Martin, two on Stan Mikita goals (both scored shorthanded), and single helpers on tallies by Ken Wharram and Bobby Hull.

Stapleton’s assist on Hull’s goal with just 11 seconds remaining in the second period carried historic weight of its own. That goal was Hull’s 58th of the season, setting a new NHL single-season record at the time, one that would stand until Phil Esposito surpassed it two years later.

Detroit had its own milestones on the night. Gordie Howe posted two goals and two assists for a four-point performance, finishing the season with 103 points. While not a record, it was part of a landmark season in NHL history, 1968-69 marked the first time players crossed the 100-point threshold, with Esposito and Hull reaching the mark earlier that year.

Back on the Chicago side, Pit Martin turned in one of the most efficient scoring performances ever recorded, scoring four goals on just four shots. For Detroit, Frank Mahovlich found the net for his 49th goal of the season, the closest the Big M would come to the elusive 50-goal plateau during his NHL and WHA career.

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Eddie Shack’s First Hat Trick Powers Leafs Past Blackhawks in 1963

On January 6, 1963, the Toronto Maple Leafs walked into the Chicago Stadium and skated out with two points, courtesy of a convincing 5-1 victory over the powerful Chicago Blackhawks. The night belonged to Eddie Shack and Red Kelly, who combined for eight points, with Shack recording the first hat trick of his NHL career.

Toronto opened the scoring early when Dave Keon beat Glenn Hall just 4:05 into the first period. Keon’s goal, set up by George Armstrong, gave the Leafs immediate momentum in a hostile building. Later in the opening frame, Eddie Shack struck for his ninth goal of the 1962-63 season, finishing a play started by Red Kelly and Tim Horton. That goal would stand as the game-winner.

The Leafs extended their lead late in the second period when Red Kelly scored his eighth of the season, with assists going to Shack and Frank Mahovlich. By that point, Toronto was firmly in control.

The third period turned into the Eddie Shack show. Known affectionately as “Eddie the Entertainer,” Shack scored twice more to complete his hat trick and push the Leafs ahead 5-0. Red Kelly assisted on both goals, giving him four points on the night. Pierre Pilote finally spoiled the shutout by scoring Chicago’s lone goal late in the game, capping the scoring.

What made the performance even more impressive was the efficiency. Kelly scored on his only shot of the game, while Shack scored three times on four shots. For two players who typically hovered around a 10 percent shooting rate, it was a remarkably clinical night and a memorable one in Maple Leafs history.

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Grant Fuhr’s Rare Two-Assist Period Fuels Record-Setting 1983-84 Season

During the high-flying 1983-84 NHL season, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Grant Fuhr etched his name into the record books in a way few netminders ever have. That year, Fuhr set what remains the NHL record for most points by a goaltender in a single season, finishing with 14, all assists.

One of the most memorable moments of that historic campaign came on November 6, 1983, when Fuhr recorded two assists in the same period during a wild Oilers road game against the Winnipeg Jets at Winnipeg Arena.

In true 1980s fashion, defense was optional. A total of 13 goals were scored, with Edmonton skating away with an 8-5 victory.

Despite the final score, Winnipeg actually held a 5-4 lead deep into the third period. At 12:39 of the frame, Wayne Gretzky tied the game with his 18th goal of the season, assisted by Jari Kurri and Grant Fuhr, who earned his first helper of the night.

The decisive moment came in dramatic fashion. With just eight seconds remaining in regulation, Gretzky struck again, this time with assists going to Fuhr and defenseman Randy Gregg. The goal sealed the win and gave Fuhr two assists in the same period, a rare feat for a goaltender in any era.

Fuhr’s night wasn’t limited to offense. He also stopped 28 of 33 shots and even picked up a high-sticking minor penalty in the second period. Gretzky dominated the scoresheet, finishing with four goals and three assists for a seven-point performance. Winnipeg goaltender Doug Soetaert made 28 saves in the loss.

By season’s end, Fuhr’s 14 assists shattered the previous NHL record of eight, set by Mike Palmateer with the Washington Capitals just three years earlier. Before Palmateer, the mark had belonged to Gilles Meloche, who recorded six assists with the California Golden Seals in 1974-75. Interestingly, two of those six were in a single period. More on that game here: Gilles Meloche 2 Assist Period.

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

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