A Winning Habit
Fansided

Canadiens vs Nordiques: 38 Years Ago – The Good Friday Massacre

By Patrick Lortie

UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 11: Members of 'Nordiques Nation' cheer during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers on December 11, 2010 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Over 1,100 fans from Quebec attended the game to prove their support for an NHL team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 11: Members of 'Nordiques Nation' cheer during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers on December 11, 2010 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Over 1,100 fans from Quebec attended the game to prove their support for an NHL team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Michel Bergeron | Quebec nordiques, Quebec, Michele
Michel Bergeron | Quebec nordiques, Quebec, Michele /

It took 23 seconds.

Mike McPhee and Wilf Paiement dropped the gloves and the tone was set.

The first period was full of slashes and hits and cuts and elbows. Both teams were using whatever tactic possible in order to disrupt the opposition. Even Jacques Lemaire went as far as to ask the referees to check Jean Hamel’s stick and low and behold it was illegal which drew a penalty for Quebec and the fury of Michel Bergeron.

Peter Statsny would score the only goal in the first period on the powerplay and the Nordiques went to the dressing room with a 1-0 lead.

Fans were left with what was expected. Some hard hits, lots of slashing, a fight and overall intensity in the game. A classic 80’s matchup.

What would come next would make the movie Slap Shot look like a Disney movie.

Home/Editorials