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Rick Middleton: Perennial Lady Byng Candidate Starts 1980-81 With A Gordie Howe Hat Trick

Rick Middleton was the Lady Byng Trophy winner in 1981-82 and finished second to Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders for the following two campaigns. Over the 1980-81 season, Rick sat just 16 minutes in penalties while playing in all 80 regular season games for the Boston Bruins. He finished third in voting for the Lady Byng, behind Rick Kehoe and Wayne Gretzky . Yet, in the first game of the season for the Bruins, Middleton dropped the gloves. Not unheard of, Rick also put up a Gordie Howe Hat Trick at the start of the 1978-79 campaign. On October 9, 1980, he did it again. The Game It was the first game of the 1980-81 NHL season for both Boston and the New York Rangers. The Bruins played host at the Boston Garden and, early on, it looked like they were going to be nice to their guests. The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the first period with goals by Mike Allison (2:44) and Walt Tkaczuk (3:18).  However, that early shock lit a fire under the Bruins and the team came back
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Henri Richard: Game Winner Against The Maple Leafs in the 1959-60 Playoffs

In 1959-60, the Montreal Canadiens swept their way through the playoffs to capture their fifth consecutive Stanley Cup championship. In game three of the final series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, both Richard brothers factored into the Habs win. But, it was the Pocket Rocket that picked up the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Not known to be as vicious as his brother Maurice, Henri Richard only picked up two minor penalties through the 1959-60 playoffs, to go with the fighting major that he picked up in game three of the final. One of those minors came in the third period of this game. His 12 points over eight games would have put him in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the award had existed at the time. The Game On April 12, 1960, the Montreal Canadiens met the Toronto Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens for game three of the final series. The Habs took the first two games in Montreal by scores of 4-2 and 2-1. The outcome was never really in question with the Canadiens jumping out to
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Kevin McClelland: Two Fights, A Goal And Assist Overshadowed By Paul Coffey's Record Night (March 14, 1986)

It was a meaningless game in the standings near the end of the 1985-86 NHL season. The Edmonton Oilers had first place overall clinched and the Detroit Red Wings had last place overall all wrapped up. Still, the game between the two clubs on March 14, 1986 at Northlands Coliseum was quite significant (for the Oilers). The game was a blowout. Edmonton won 12-3, leading 5-2 after the first period and 8-2 after the second. It was the 50th win of the season for the Oilers. Paul Coffey tied two records for scoring in a single NHL game, records that still stand today. Coffey also scored his 42nd and 43rd goals of the season. He would total 48 in 1985-86, the most by any blue liner in the history of the National Hockey League. Along with the two goals, Paul added six assists for eight points. His point total tied Tom Bladon for the most in a game by a defenseman. His six assists still has him tied for the most in a game by a blue liner. The mark was also equaled by Gary Suter, Ron Stackhous
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Bobby Clarke: 18 PIM And A Gordie Howe Hat Trick Against The Maple Leafs (November 23, 1974)

 On the night of November 23, 1974, Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers cemented the mutual hatred between him and the Toronto Maple Leafs (and their fans). First, he helped the Broad Street Bullies jump out to an early lead then dropped the gloves to do battle with maybe not Toronto's toughest player. The Game On that late November night, the Flyers and Leafs were at opposite ends of the standings. Philly had lost just five of their first 20 games while Toronto had won just five of 18. The Flyers would go on to finish the season in a three way tie for first overall in the NHL with Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens. The Buds would pick up their socks, finishing nearly at the .500 mark and qualifying for the post season. Played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, the game featured a matchup of two former goaltending partners. Between the pipes for the Flyers was Bernie Parent while his former back-up man Doug Favell was playing for Toronto. Favell was the busier of the two, f
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Rick Vaive: Gordie Howe Hat Trick Against the Quebec Nordiques (December 6, 1980)

1980-81 was Rick Vaive's first full season with the Toronto Maple Leafs after coming over in a February 18, 1980 trade midway through the 1979-80 season. That was the trade that sent Dave "Tiger" Williams and Jerry Butler to the Vancouver Canucks while Bill Derlago came east along with Vaive. On December 6, 1980, the Buds were hosting the Quebec Nordiques at Maple Leaf Gardens. This was the first of a home-and-home on back to back nights. Interestingly, the following game also featured a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. The Leafs handled the woeful Nordiques handily in a 5-2 win with Darryl Sittler picking up a pair of goals. The Goal Rick Vaive scored his eleventh goal of the season at 17:44 of the second period, assisted by Borje Salming . It was the fourth goal of the game for Toronto and made the score 4-1. 27 seconds later, Jacques Richard would get one back for Quebec with assists going to Dale Hunter and Michel Goulet. The Assist At 3:27 of the second period, Robert Pica
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Denis Potvin: Battles Dave Schultz In 1974-75 Gordie Howe Hat Trick Game

You've got to hand it to him, Denis Potvin wasn't backing down from no one. On December 8, 1974, his New York Islanders were visiting the Philadelphia Flyers at the Spectrum. The Flyers ended up taking the closely fought match 3-2 but Potvin seemed to be in on everything. He achieved the Gordie Howe Hat Trick on a goal, assist and first period fight. The Goal Denis Potvin's goal was the second of the game for the Islanders and his sixth of the 1974-75 NHL season. New York was shorthanded, killing off a 4 on 3 with Dave Lewis just about to come out of the penalty box. New York's Dave Fortier and Flyers captain Bobby Clarke were both serving minors. At the twelve minute mark of the second period, Denis scored unassisted on Bernie Parent . The marker tied the game at two and gave the Islanders hope. It was one of two shots on net for Potvin in the game and one of only 13 that the Islanders would put towards Parent. While Glenn Resch had 35 pucks fired his way. The Assist
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Glen Skov: Gordie Howe Hat Trick In Final Game Of 1950-51 NHL Season

It was a significant match with the Detroit Red Wings capping off a stellar 1950-51 NHL season with a 5-0 shutout at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens. It was significant in that Alex Delvecchio played his first National Hockey League game. But, the most significant thing that happened at Detroit Olympia on March 25, 1951 is that Glen Skov achieved the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Of course, the irony is that Gordie Howe was in the lineup as a star player for the Red Wings and the GHHT was certainly unheard of at the time. The Goal Glen Skov scored just his seventh goal of the 1950-51 season at 18:44 of the second period. The goal was unassisted and made the score 4-0 for Detroit. It was the young centre's 19th game of the campaign and just his 21st game in the National Hockey League. He had spent most of the season with the Omaha Knights in the USHL. The Assist The third goal of the game was scored by Ted Lindsay at 14:31 of the second period. The marker was assists by Skov and Lou
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