Moments of Greatness: 10 Impressive Blackhawks Performances

icehogfan08 · Aug 24, 2011

Although hockey is a team sport, the Blackhawks’ record book is filled with amazing individual performances and achievements. Many of the biggest names in franchise history have come up big in important moments and helped the franchise achieve great things.

Here is chicagoblackhawks.com's list of ten of the most impressive single-game performances in Blackhawks history, as well as a few that just missed the cut:

Charlie Gardiner’s extreme shutout (April 10, 1934):

When the Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings took the ice in Game 4 of the 1934 Stanley Cup Final, Chicago was seeking their first championship in team history, and goaltender/captain Charlie Gardiner made it happen. Gardiner and Detroit goalie Wilf Cude remained deadlocked for three periods and one overtime frame, when Harold “Mush” March finally slipped a shot past Cude 10:05 into the second OT period to give the series to the Blackhawks. Gardiner remains the only goaltender to be inscribed on the Stanley Cup as a team captain.

Sam LoPresti’s long day (March 4, 1941):

Netminder Sam LoPresti likely had no idea the challenges he would face in the Boston Garden on March 4, 1941, but it’s unlikely he would ever forget it. In the contest, LoPresti turned away an NHL-record 80 shots, including 31 of 33 in the second period. Despite LoPresti's best efforts, the Blackhawks fell by a goal, 3-2.

Max Bentley’s big night (Jan. 28, 1943):

While his brother Doug set a then-record with four assists that night, it was his brother Max who had a game for the ages, recording four goals and adding another three assists in a 10-1 rout of the New York Rangers. Grant Mulvey (5G, 2A) would match Bentley’s mark in 1982 against St. Louis.

Bill Mosienko’s record hat trick (March 23, 1952):

A mark that still stands today, Bill Mosienko – a longtime linemate of the Bentley brothers – scored the fastest hat trick in NHL history (21 seconds apart) in the third period of a game against the Rangers. Mosienko very nearly added a fourth goal just 45 seconds later, but the puck banked off the goalpost.

The Golden Jet comes through (Feb. 1, 1962):

Things were looking down in Detroit as the Blackhawks spotted the Red Wings a 3-0 lead in the first period. But Bobby Hull led Chicago all the way back, potting four goals, including the game-winner, as the Hawks rallied to take the 7-4 decision.

Mr. Goalie stands tall (April 2-4, 1961):

Facing the reigning Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens, the Blackhawks needed an amazing performance to get past the Habs in the first round of the 1961 Stanley Cup Playoffs; Glenn Hall gave such a performance. Tied 2-2 going into Game 5, Hall blanked the Canadiens two straight games, and the Blackhawks won each decision 3-0, sending Chicago to the finals. Combined with the last 15 minutes of Game 4, Hall logged 171:50 of shutout goaltending, a franchise playoff record.

Pat Stapleton sets a league record (March 30, 1969):

The Blackhawks closed out the 1968-69 regular season with a solid win on home ice, besting the Red Wings 9-5. In the victory, Pat Stapleton recorded six assists, setting a franchise record and trying the NHL record for assists by a defenseman.

Stan Mikita’s five-assist night (April 4, 1973):

Stan Mikita started the 1973 playoffs in fine fashion, recording a Blackhawks-record five assists as the Hawks took Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Quarterfinals from St. Louis 7-1. Mikita’s night set a team mark for both assists and points in one playoff contest, and both marks still stand.

Al Secord shines against Toronto (Jan. 7, 1987):

A regular-season contest against two Original Six foes, Al Secord had a breakout second period, scoring four goals as the Blackhawks went on to win 6-4. Secord’s franchise record for the fastest four goals (8:24 between them) remains to this day.

The Captain delivers (May 7, 2010):

Up 2-1 in the Western Conference Semifinal series and hoping to push the rival Vancouver Canucks to the brink of elimination, Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks went into hostile territory and emerged with the 7-4 road victory. Toews led the charge, recording his first career playoff hat trick and assisting on two more goals. The Blackhawks went on to win the series 4-2. Toews also tied two Blackhawks playoff record in the game, netting a pair of power-play goals in the second period and matching the franchise record for most consecutive playoff games with an assist (7), a streak which ended the next game.

JUST MISSED THE CUT:

1. Clint Smith scores four third-period goals vs. MTL (March 4, 1945).

2. Chris Chelios racks up 51 penalty minutes (3 majors, 3 minors, 2 game misconducts) vs. HAR (Oct. 14, 1993).

3. Jeremy Roenick scores five points (4G, A) vs. WPG (Feb. 24, 1994).

4. Gary Suter records a hat trick in playoffs vs. TOR, 8th defenseman to ever score playoff hat trick (April 24, 1994).

5. Eric Daze records 5 points (3G, 2A), +5 rating at BOS (March 9, 2003).

Moments of Greatness: 10 Impressive Blackhawks Performances