Grand moments
October 19th, 1957
THE ROCKET HITS 500
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On October 19, 1957, Maurice Richard reached yet another important career milestone before a packed Forum against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Two day earlier, “The Rocket” set the table for his historic goal by potting a pair and adding a pair of assists in a 9-3 thrashing of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Forum was filled to capacity as usual when Richard, with 499 career goals to his credit, hit the ice for his 863rd NHL game.
At 14:42 of the opening period, Blackhawks defenseman Ian Cushenan was sent off for hooking Richard. Coach Toe Blake sent Jean Béliveau and Dickie Moore out to complete the forward line and assigned Doug Harvey and Bernard Geoffrion to blue line duty in an effort to help “The Rocket” get the next goal.
Some 70 seconds into the power play, Richard took a Béliveau pass, flicked his powerful wrists and beat Glenn Hall for his 500th goal, becoming the first NHLer to reach the lofty scoring plateau.
The crowd tested the Forum’s structural integrity, showering their hero with a 10-minute ovation while his teammates flooded onto the ice to celebrate the moment with Richard.
Forty other players have joined the 500-goal club since Maurice Richard founded it, but only seven have earned their admission in fewer games than “The Rocket”.
Two day earlier, “The Rocket” set the table for his historic goal by potting a pair and adding a pair of assists in a 9-3 thrashing of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Forum was filled to capacity as usual when Richard, with 499 career goals to his credit, hit the ice for his 863rd NHL game.
At 14:42 of the opening period, Blackhawks defenseman Ian Cushenan was sent off for hooking Richard. Coach Toe Blake sent Jean Béliveau and Dickie Moore out to complete the forward line and assigned Doug Harvey and Bernard Geoffrion to blue line duty in an effort to help “The Rocket” get the next goal.
Some 70 seconds into the power play, Richard took a Béliveau pass, flicked his powerful wrists and beat Glenn Hall for his 500th goal, becoming the first NHLer to reach the lofty scoring plateau.
The crowd tested the Forum’s structural integrity, showering their hero with a 10-minute ovation while his teammates flooded onto the ice to celebrate the moment with Richard.
Forty other players have joined the 500-goal club since Maurice Richard founded it, but only seven have earned their admission in fewer games than “The Rocket”.