What is the Gordie Howe Hat Trick? Canadiens Examples
In the lexicon of the National Hockey League, few terms are as evocative and immediately understood as the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick." Named for the legendary Detroit Red Wings forward whose style of play epitomized a complete, physically dominant game, it represents a unique and celebrated single-game achievement. This glossary breaks down the term itself and explores related concepts, with a special focus on its place within the storied history of the Montreal Canadiens.
Gordie Howe Hat Trick
A Gordie Howe Hat Trick is achieved when a player records a goal, an assist, and a fight in a single game. It is named for Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, who was renowned for his scoring prowess and physical toughness. While statistical records show Howe himself only officially accomplished this feat a handful of times, it perfectly encapsulates his all-around, intimidating style of play that dominated the NHL for decades.
The Traditional Hat Trick
The traditional hat trick in hockey refers to a player scoring three goals in a single game. It is one of the sport's most celebrated individual accomplishments, often marked by fans throwing hats onto the ice in celebration. For the Montreal Canadiens, legends like Maurice 'Rocket' Richard, who scored many, and Guy Lafleur were masters of this electrifying feat.
The "Gordie Howe" of the Canadiens
While no Canadien perfectly embodied Howe's unique combination of skill and pugnacity over a full career, several players had the capability. John Ferguson, the famed enforcer of the 1960s and 70s, possessed the requisite toughness and occasional offensive outburst to be a candidate for such a comparison in terms of role and feared reputation on the ice.
The "Rocket" Richard Hat Trick
A less formal but recognized term among Canadiens faithful, a "Rocket" Richard Hat Trick is said to occur when a player scores all of his team's goals in a victory. This pays homage to Maurice Richard, who was famous for willing the Habs to win through sheer individual offensive force, often carrying the scoring load single-handedly during the Original Six era.
The "Pure" Hat Trick
A "pure" or "natural" hat trick is a specific type of three-goal game where a player scores three consecutive goals, uninterrupted by any goals from teammates or opponents. This demonstrates a remarkable period of individual dominance and is a rare highlight in any player's career, celebrated for its flawless execution.
The "Slewfoot"
A slewfoot is a dangerous and illegal tripping maneuver where a player uses his leg or foot to knock an opponent's feet out from behind, often while simultaneously pushing the opponent's upper body backward. It is a penalty that carries a high risk of injury and is universally condemned within the sport for its treacherous nature.
The "Enforcer" Role
An enforcer is a player whose primary role is to deter and respond to physical aggression against star teammates through fighting and physical play. For the Montreal Canadiens, players like John Ferguson, Chris Nilan, and Larry Robinson (who combined the role with elite skill) were iconic enforcers who protected teammates and established team toughness.
The "Power Forward"
A power forward is a large, physically strong forward who combines offensive scoring skill with a heavy, punishing style of play along the boards and in front of the net. Canadiens greats like John LeClair and more recently, Brendan Gallagher, have exemplified this style, using their strength to create space and scoring chances.
The "Original Six" Era
The Original Six refers to the six teams that comprised the National Hockey League from the 1942–43 season until the 1967 expansion: the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. This period is foundational to the league's history and the Canadiens' legacy, marked by intense rivalries and the rise of numerous legends.
The "Punch-Up"
A colloquial term for a large-scale fight or brawl involving multiple players from both teams. These incidents, while penalized, are memorable moments that signify intense rivalry and high emotions. Memorable punch-ups have occurred throughout Habs history, especially in playoff series against rivals like Boston and Quebec.
The "Tilt"
Hockey slang for a fight. A "good tilt" implies a fair, stand-up fight between two willing combatants. Fighting has been a part of the game's fabric, with enforcers often engaging in tilts to shift momentum or defend a teammate's honor.
The "Game Misconduct"
A game misconduct penalty results in a player being ejected from the game for the remainder of play, though his team must serve a five-minute major penalty. It is often assessed for serious infractions, including certain types of fights, and is a significant disciplinary action within a single game.
The "Major Penalty"
A major penalty is a five-minute infraction for serious violations, most commonly for fighting. Unlike a minor penalty, the penalized team must serve the full five minutes regardless of how many power-play goals are scored by the opponent. It is a cornerstone penalty for enforcing the game's physical rules.
The "Instigator Penalty"
An instigator penalty is a two-minute minor penalty, plus a ten-minute misconduct, assessed to a player who clearly starts a fight. The rule was introduced to deter players from deliberately seeking out fights, changing the dynamics of the enforcer role and how physical confrontations are initiated.
The "Third Man In" Rule
This rule imposes an automatic game misconduct on any player who intervenes in an altercation already involving two players. It is designed to prevent bench-clearing brawls and keep fights contained to the initial two combatants, maintaining a degree of order during chaotic situations.
The "Roughing" Penalty
A roughing penalty is a two-minute minor called for unnecessary or excessive physical contact that falls short of a fight. This can include shoving, grappling, or throwing punches that do not escalate into a full-fledged altercation, and is a common call in physically charged games.
The "Five for Fighting"
This is the common shorthand for the simultaneous five-minute major penalties assessed to two players who engage in a fight. Both players go to the penalty box for five minutes, and neither team plays shorthanded, reflecting the NHL's historical acceptance of fighting as a self-regulating element of the game.
The "Line Brawl"
A line brawl occurs when all five skaters from one team engage in fights with their opposing counterparts, often leading to chaotic, memorable scenes. These are rare events, usually born out of extreme rivalry or retaliation, and result in a flurry of game misconducts and major penalties.
The "Goalie Fight"
A highly rare and spectacular event where both goaltenders leave their creases to fight each other. For the Montreal Canadiens, the most famous example is Patrick Roy's fight against Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1987, an iconic moment that underscored Roy's fiery competitiveness.
The "Code" or "The Code"
"The Code" refers to the unwritten rules governing fighting and physical play in hockey. It includes concepts like only fighting willing opponents, not taking advantage of an injured player, and respecting enforcers who "answer the bell." Adherence to this code has traditionally been a point of honor among players.
The "Sheriff"
A nickname for a team's primary enforcer, the "sheriff" is tasked with policing the ice, delivering retribution for hits on star players, and ensuring opponents play "honorably" according to the unwritten code. Chris "Knuckles" Nilan often served this role for the Canadiens in the 1980s.
The "Tough Guy"
A broad term for any player known primarily for his physical play and fighting ability, as opposed to his scoring or playmaking skills. Tough guys have been integral parts of many Canadiens rosters throughout history, providing grit and intimidation.
The "Agitator"
An agitator is a player who specializes in provoking opponents through verbal taunts, after-the-whistle scrums, and borderline legal hits, aiming to draw them into taking penalties. While not always a fighter himself, the agitator's role often necessitates the protection of an enforcer.
The "Deterrent Factor"
This concept refers to the presence of a respected enforcer on a team, which is believed to deter opponents from taking liberties with that team's skilled players. The theory holds that the mere threat of retaliation keeps the game cleaner for star players, a philosophy long embraced by the Canadiens.
The "Changing Role of Fighting"
In the modern NHL, the role and frequency of fighting have significantly diminished due to rule changes (like the instigator penalty), a greater emphasis on speed and skill, and evolving views on player safety and head injuries. The classic enforcer role has largely disappeared from the Canadiens' and the league's rosters.
From the raw, unfiltered battles of the Original Six era to the speed-dominated game of today, the concepts surrounding the Gordie Howe Hat Trick reflect hockey's enduring physical character. For the Montreal Canadiens, a franchise built on a blend of sublime skill and formidable toughness, these terms are not just definitions but chapters in a rich narrative. While the frequency of fights may wane, the legacy of players who could score, assist, and defend their honor in one night remains a powerful part of hockey's lore and the Habs' identity.
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