Great Moments In Hockey History: Gordie Howe Passes Rocket Richard As Goal King

Early in the 1963-64 season Gordie Howe surpassed Maurice "Rocket" Richard as the NHL's all time goal scoring king.

Oct. 27, 1963 — Gordie Howe scores 544th goal, tying Maurice Richard’s all-time NHL regular season record. The goal comes, once again, against Montreal, this time in a 6-4 loss. Gump Worsley was in the net for Montreal. It was Howe's 1,126th career game.

Nov. 10, 1963 — Gordie Howe surpasses Rocket Richard as the number one leading all-time goal scorer in the NHL with 545th career goal. The game, fittingly was against Montreal (the goalie was Charlie Hodge), a 3-0 Red Wings victory in Detroit. It was Howe's 1,132nd game.

Here's some highlights of Pat Curran's newspaper report of the night Howe scored his record breaking 545th career NHL goal:

:Just like the song says, Gordie Howe became "The Greatest of Them All," last night when he scored his 545th goal for a new all-time National Hockey League record. And while Howe became the greatest at putting the puck in, Goalie Terry Sawchuk equaled the record for shutting them out with the 94th zero of his career as the Detroit Red Wings whipped the Canadiens 3-0.

Gordie's history making goal -- his fifth of the season -- came after five scoreless games since he tied Maurice Richard's record here against the Habs two weeks ago.

Howe let go from about 20 feet out and beat Hodge low between the post and his pads on the left side. Pandemonium broke loose as soon as the puck hit the net and the crowd of 15,027 -- largest of the season with 3,000 turned away -- gave Gordie an ovation that lasted 10 to 15 minutes. There were continual shouts of "We Want Howe" through the rest of the game.

"All I remember is the puck going plunk," said Howe."