1951-52: Mosienko's 21 Second Hat Trick

The Three Stars:

Mosienko Scores NHL's Fastest Hat Trick: On the last day of the season Bill Mosienko scores 3 goals in 21 seconds. He scores at 6:09, 6:20 and 6:30 of the third period against New York Rangers goalie Lorne Anderson. He almost adds a fourth goal off the next faceoff but he hits the goal post.


Kraut Line Reunited: Boston Bruins honor their great Kraut line before a game against Chicago on March 18, 1952. Bobby Bauer comes out of a 4 year retirement for one night only, rejoining linemates Milt Schmidt and Woody Dumart. Bauer gets a goal and an assist. Schmidt scores the 200th goal of his career, and adds 3 assists. Dumart gets an assist, but more importantly Boston clinches the final playoff spot.


Boom Boom's Slap Shot: Rookie Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion wins the Calder Trophy with 30 goals and 54 points. He popularizes the slap shot in the process, hence the instant nickname.

Season Highlights:

• Led by the Production Line of Gordie Howe, Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay and goaltender Terry Sawchuk, the Detroit Red Wings are in the midst of creating a dynasty. Not only did they dominate the regular season, winning that title by 22 points, but they went undefeated in the playoffs with a perfect 8-0 record en route to the Stanley Cup. Sawchuk won 4 of those playoff games by shutout.
• Detroit dusted off Montreal in the final, thanks in part to Montreal's epic 7 game battle vs. Boston in the round prior. Famously, in game 7 Rocket Richard suffers a head injury rendering him semi-conscious yet he returns and scores a spectacular series winning goal. That led to the most famous handshake in hockey history.
• When Chicago goalie Harry Lumley is injured in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on November 25th 1951, they turn to their 46 year old trainer Moe Roberts. 18 years prior he played net for the Boston Bruins, so at least he's not a complete rookie. Roberts does not let in a goal in his return match.
• A 20 minute exhibition match between Toronto and Chicago was staged so that Princess Elizabeth, soon to become Queen of England, and her husband Philip the Duke of Edinburgh could witness Canada's game.