Great Moments In Hockey History: Joe Malone's 7 Goal Game

A prolific scorer before the NHL was formed in 1917, Joe Malone is perhaps the game's least heralded superstars. His modesty contributes to that, according to old time journalists. There is, however, no disputing his extraordinary scoring ability. Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, the Hulls, and Bossy are among the games most prolific, but none can claim to have averaged two goals a game. Only "The Phantom" can claim that.

His single greatest exploit came on the night of January 31st, 1920. Playing for the Quebec Bulldogs, Malone proved to be "no ordinary Joe" when he lit up the visiting Toronto Arenas for seven goals all by himself!

No other player in NHL history has scored 7 goals in a single contest. In that same season Malone also had 6 goal night. He even had a 5 goal outburst on the very first night of the NHL's existence back in 1917.

All told, Joe Malone scored 143 goals in 126 NHL games. Twice he led the league in scoring, including in that magical 1919-20 season when he scored a ridiculous 44 goals in 20 games. He actually missed two games that season. Had he played he very possibly could have challenged the magical 50 goal mark in just 22 games!

Read the full Joe Malone biography here.