This Day in Hockey History – October 7, 1983 – Power Play Pandemonium

Having the man-advantage during the power play certainly increases the chances of a team scoring, but it is seldom a guarantee. Apparently, no one thought to tell that to the Vancouver Canucks and the Minnesota North Stars. On October 7, 1983, the Canucks played host to the North Stars at the Pacific Coliseum. Those in attendance not only got a game full of goals, but they also saw a lot of special team play, The Canucks came out victorious over the North Stars in the 10-9 game.

“Not since March 16, 1944, when the Detroit Red Wings edged the Boston Bruins in Boston Garden, have 19 goals been scored in an NHL game,” printed the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

For Canucks goaltender, John Garrett, it certainly wasn’t the kind of game he was hoping for.

“Let’s face it, it was a tough night for the goaltenders. It’s sort of like the good news, bad news joke. The good news is we won; the bad news is that my goals-against-average is nine,” said Garrett.

Of the nine goals scored on Garrett, four were deflected in while two others were a form of friendly fire, having gone in off Vancouver’s defensemen.

Ten of the 19 goals were scored while one of the teams was on the power play. Vancouver set a team record, notching six power play goals. The North Stars weren’t far behind with four. Seven goals were scored in the opening frame, with five of those on the power play.

Four minutes into the game Minnesota’s Craig Hartsburg was whistled for a hooking call, and it seemed that the referee never took the whistle out of his mouth after that:

1st Period:

• 04:00: MNS Craig Hartsburg—hooking
• 05:16: MNS Donald Beaupre—slashing
• 05:16: VAN Darcy Rota—slashing
• 05:16: VAN Stanley Smyl—roughing (PP GOAL-MNS)
• 05:45: VAN Garth Butcher—holding (PP GOAL-MNS)
• 07:46: MNS Curt Giles—hooking (PP GOAL-VAN)
• 12:37: MNS Steven Payne—tripping
• 13:49: MNS Dino Ciccarelli—slashing (PP GOAL-VAN)
• 15:10: MNS Jordy Douglas—tripping
• 16:15: MNS Brad Maxwell—cross checking (PP GOAL-VAN)
• 18:45: VAN Lars Lindgren—hooking

2nd Period:

• 04:39: MNS Brad Maxwell—tripping
• 05:40: VAN Jiri Bubla—hooking
• 05:40: VAN Stanley Smyl—hi-sticking (PP GOAL-MNS)
• 11:54: MNS Dennis Maruk—holding
• 15:21: MNS Daniel Mandich—cross checking (PP GOAL-VAN)
• 16:21: MNS Jordy Douglas—holding (PP GOAL-VAN)
• 19:38: VAN Jere Gillis—tripping (PP GOAL-MNS in 3rd)

3rd Period:

• 08:37: MNS Gordon Roberts—hooking (PP GOAL-VAN)
• 14:49: MNS Steven Payne—fighting
• 14:49: VAN Darcy Rota—fighting
• 15:04: MNS Donald Beaupre—delaying game – illegal play by goalie

Between the discipline issues and defensive gaffes, neither coach was overjoyed with the way their respective team played.

With all the stoppages in play and special teams, it is actually surprising that the players managed to find any rhythm in which to score the other nine goals. And one would think given the high number of goals that the shots on goal must have been unusually high. Such was not the case. The North Stars put 31 shots on Garrett, while Vancouver managed 36 on Beaupre.

Perhaps in addition to getting the win, Garrett could also find the fact that he managed not to take penalties a good thing. In addition to losing, Beaupre had been whistled for two of the North Stars penalties. Fortunately, neither resulted in a power play goal, which is saying something in this game.

Additional Sources:

• “Defense? What’s That? Vancouver Wins, 10-9,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Saturday, October 8, 1983, p. 7A.
• “Vancouver, Minnesota Total 19 Goals,” The Sheboygan Press, Saturday, October 8, 1983, p. 15.