Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Brian Cullen And Billy Harris Deliver Twin Hat Tricks As Maple Leafs Crush Bruins 7-0

The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn't have asked for a better remedy after opening the 1957-58 NHL season with three consecutive losses. On October 19, 1957, a packed Maple Leaf Gardens crowd watched the Leafs completely dominate the Boston Bruins in a 7-0 victory that finally put Toronto in the win column. Goaltender Ed Chadwick was flawless, turning aside all 30 Boston shots, while Brian Cullen and Billy Harris each recorded memorable hat tricks.


Highlights

  • The Maple Leafs snapped an 0-3 start with a dominant 7-0 victory over the Bruins.

  • Brian Cullen scored the first hat trick of the night, including the game-winning goal.

  • Billy Harris matched Cullen with a hat trick of his own in the third period.

  • Ed Chadwick earned a 30-save shutout against Boston.

  • Ron Stewart added a shorthanded goal just 24 seconds into the second period.

  • Barry Cullen assisted on two of his brother Brian's three goals.

  • The game remains one of the rare occasions in NHL history where two teammates recorded hat tricks in the same game.


Cullen opened the scoring late in the first period, converting a power-play opportunity at 18:06. George Armstrong and Bob Pulford set up the goal, which proved to be the eventual game winner. Although the Leafs would score six more times, Boston never seriously threatened Chadwick, who was in complete control from start to finish.

Toronto buried the Bruins in the second period. Ron Stewart struck just 24 seconds into the frame with a shorthanded goal before Brian Cullen added his second of the night at 17:19. His brother, Barry Cullen, and defenseman Bob Baun picked up the assists. Barry would also help set up Brian's third goal in the final period, giving the Cullen brothers a special family connection on an unforgettable evening.

Not to be overshadowed, Billy Harris took over in the third period. He scored twice within 30 seconds early in the frame before completing his own hat trick with only 22 seconds remaining in regulation. Remarkably, Toronto had two different players score three goals in the same game, accounting for six of the club's seven goals in one of the most lopsided wins of the season.

Despite their explosive performances that night, neither player went on to challenge the league's scoring leaders. Harris finished the season with 16 goals, while Cullen enjoyed the finest offensive campaign of his NHL career, scoring a personal-best 20. Even so, their unforgettable outburst against Boston remains one of the more unique offensive performances in Maple Leafs history, proving that sometimes one spectacular night can leave a lasting place in franchise lore.

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

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Hats Off to Dickie Moore and Rocket Richard: The Night They Scored Every Canadiens Goal

The 1957-58 NHL season was only a few games old when the Montreal Canadiens delivered a statement performance against the Detroit Red Wings. On October 13, 1957, at Detroit Olympia, Montreal skated away with a convincing 6-0 victory thanks to an extraordinary offensive display from Dickie Moore and Maurice “Rocket” Richard.


Highlights

  • Maurice Richard and Dickie Moore combined to score all six Montreal goals.

  • Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-0 at Detroit Olympia.

  • Dickie Moore scored the game-winning goal just 1:42 into the contest.

  • Richard recorded the final regular-season hat trick of his NHL career.

  • Moore completed the fourth hat trick of his NHL career.

  • Both Richard and Moore finished with three goals and one assist.

  • Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard each collected three assists.

  • Charlie Hodge stopped all 27 shots he faced for the shutout.   


The duo completely took over the scoresheet, combining for all six Canadiens goals against legendary Detroit goaltender Terry Sawchuk. Moore opened the scoring just 1:42 into the game on a power-play opportunity, finishing a play set up by Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard while Gordie Howe served a penalty. That early marker would stand up as the game-winning goal.

Richard took over from there, scoring twice in the opening period to put Montreal firmly in control. The Rocket added another goal in the third period to complete the final regular-season hat trick of his illustrious NHL career. While he would record one more three-goal game in the playoffs, this was the last time he accomplished the feat during the regular season. Two of Richard’s three goals came with the man advantage.

Moore was not about to be overshadowed. After his early goal, he struck twice in the latter stages of the third period to secure the fourth hat trick of his NHL career. By the final horn, both Moore and Richard had produced four-point nights, each collecting three goals and one assist.

The supporting cast played its part as well. Henri Richard and Jean Beliveau each recorded three assists, helping orchestrate Montreal’s relentless attack. In goal, Charlie Hodge was flawless, stopping all 27 Detroit shots for the shutout. At the opposite end, Sawchuk faced 33 shots and was beaten six times as the Canadiens cruised to one of their most memorable victories of the season.

For hockey fans fortunate enough to witness it, the game served as a reminder of just how dominant Montreal’s stars could be. On this night, Dickie Moore and Rocket Richard didn't just lead the Canadiens, they accounted for every single goal in a six-goal shutout performance.

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

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

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Rick Martin Reaches 50 Goals In Style With Historic Hat Trick For Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres closed out the 1973-74 NHL season with a memorable night at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, and Rick Martin made sure the home fans had something special to celebrate. Already one of the league's most dangerous scorers, Martin entered the final game of the season sitting on 49 goals and needing just one more to become the first player in franchise history to reach the coveted 50-goal mark.


Highlights

  • Rick Martin entered the final game of 1973-74 with 49 goals.

  • Became the first 50-goal scorer in Buffalo Sabres history.

  • Scored goal number 50 against Wayne Stephenson of the St. Louis Blues.

  • Recorded a hat trick in Buffalo's season finale.

  • Finished the season with 52 goals.

  • Scored the game-winning goal in a 5-2 Sabres victory.

  • Don Luce assisted on both Martin's 50th and 51st goals.

  • Matched his 52-goal total again in 1974-75 despite missing 12 games.   


Facing the St. Louis Blues on April 7, 1974, Martin wasted little time making history. At 8:39 of the opening period, he beat Blues goaltender Wayne Stephenson for his 50th goal of the season. Paul Terbenche and Don Luce picked up the assists on the landmark tally, and the Buffalo crowd erupted as Martin etched his name into the Sabres record book.

The game remained firmly under Buffalo's control, and Martin added to his historic evening early in the third period. Just 2:47 into the final frame, he scored again, collecting his 51st goal of the year. Assisted by Luce and Mike Robitaille, the goal gave the Sabres a 3-0 lead and ultimately stood as the game-winning goal in Buffalo's 5-2 victory.

With the outcome already decided, Martin still had one more highlight left. With only 47 seconds remaining in regulation, he completed the hat trick by scoring his 52nd goal of the season. Norm Gratton and Gilbert Perreault earned the assists as Martin put an exclamation point on one of the greatest individual scoring performances in early Sabres history.

The hat trick not only made Martin the first 50-goal scorer in franchise history, but it also established 52 goals as the highest single-season total by a Sabres player at the time. Remarkably, he matched that total the following season, scoring another 52 goals in 1974-75 despite missing 12 games. For Buffalo fans, Martin's unforgettable finale to the 1973-74 season remains one of the defining moments of the franchise's early years.

“Then Perreault Said to Rico…”: The Best Buffalo Sabres Stories Ever Told cover

"Then Perreault Said to Rico…": The Best Buffalo Sabres Stories Ever Told

A collection of the greatest Buffalo Sabres tales — from unforgettable moments to iconic personalities in franchise history.

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