169 Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey

These stories include anything from outstanding performances to milestones to the odd and unusual throughout one of the most historic eras in NHL history.

A look at what you'll find between the covers (sample stories)You were hired to be an enforcer. Yet, you go out and score 2 goals (and an assist) in your 1st NHL game!

John Ferguson was picked up by the Montreal Canadiens to provide a little protection to players like Jean Beliveau. Sure, Fergie was a tough guy but he could score. In 1962-63, he tied for third in the AHL with 38 goals, just four behind the leader while also finishing second with 179 PIM, 17 behind leader Ed Van Impe.

On October 8, 1963, John played his first game in the National Hockey League. The Habs started their 1963-64 NHL season on the road against the Bruins at Boston Garden. Just 12 seconds into the game, Ferguson was in the box for a scuffle with Ted Green, both receiving roughing minors.

Before that first period was half over, Ferguson had his first NHL goal, assisted by Jean Beliveau and scored on Boston goalie Eddie Johnston. In the second period, he scored his second goal of the game and of his career, assisted by Bernie Geoffrion and Jacques Laperriere. Less than a minute later, he assisted on a Boom Boom Geoffrion goal for a three point debut.

John would go on to score 18 goals and total 45 points over 59 games in that rookie season while also accumulating 125 penalty minutes (7th most in the league for 1963-64). He finished second in voting for the Calder Trophy with a little more than half the votes as winner and teammate Jacques Laperriere. Third in voting was another Montrealer, Terry Harper.

On February 7, 1976, Darryl Sittler set the mark with six goals and four assists for ten points in a 11-4 win over the Boston Bruins. Boston goalie Dave Reece allowed all eleven goals while facing 40 shots and was not pulled by Bruins head coach Don Cherry. It was the last of 14 career NHL games he would play.

However, this was not Sittler's biggest game of the season. On April 22, 1976, the Maple Leafs were facing the Philadelphia Flyers in game 6 of the quarter-finals. The Flyers were up 3-2 in the series and over the first eight games of the playoffs, Sittler had yet to score a single goal.

Facing elimination against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the captain came through. Darryl scored five goals, including the game winning goal, while adding an assist on the final goal of the game by Claire Alexander for a six point night in an 8-5 win. It was not a 14 game NHL veteran in net for the Flyers, either. Bernie Parent was in for the duration, facing 39 shots, eleven off the stick of Sittler.

The performance tied Newsy Lalonde and Maurice Richard for the most goals by a player in a single playoff game. Later in the 1975-76 playoffs, Reggie Leach of the Flyers would equal the mark. Mario Lemieux would become the fifth and final player to score five in a playoff game in 1988-89.

As for the Maple Leafs and Darryl Sittler, their luck would run out in game seven. Sittler did not score a goal and the Buds were eliminated from the post season. The Flyers went on to the Stanley Cup final for the third consecutive season, this time falling to the Montreal Canadiens.