This is the transcript from the fourth video of the “NHL 3-Star Time Warp” series on Facebook Reels. Each episode features the 3 stars from games on a random date in National Hockey League history. The video is embedded below the transcript.
3 Stars – November 25, 1975
3rd Star – Dave Forbes (Boston Bruins)
The Bruins hosted the Los Angeles Kings at Boston Garden in a battle of fairly evenly matched teams. The home team came out with the 4-2 win but it was Forbes that got things rolling. Just 17 seconds into the game, Dallas Smith took a minor for holding. Less than a minute later, Forbes put in his 5th of the 1975-76 NHL season on Gary Edwards shorthanded with help from Gregg Sheppard.
The goal turned the momentum in Boston’s favour and by the end of the first period, they were up 3-0 after Ken Hodge and Doug Gibson scored goals 45 seconds apart. Gilles Gilbert made 24 saves on 26 shots for the win while Sheldon Kannegiesser was the only King to beat him, scoring both L.A. goals.
2nd Star – Ken Dryden (Montreal Canadiens)
Two of the three games played on this day ended in 4-0 shutout victories. The powerful Montreal Canadiens skated into the Omni in Atlanta and came out with one of the them. Despite the mismatch in the standings between the two clubs, Ken Dryden was the busier goalie, stopping all 35 shots. Dan Bouchard allowed four on 30 shots at the other end. After a scoreless first period, Steve Shutt put in what would be the game winner at 4:23 of the second, assisted by Yvan Cournoyer and Don Awrey.
1st Star – Gary Smith (Vancouver Canucks)
It was a battle between the two 1970 NHL expansion teams at Pacific Coliseum with the Buffalo Sabres visiting the Vancouver Canucks. Buffalo had lost just three of their first 20 games in 1975-76 but the Canucks and Gary Smith would put a dent in that record.
Smith stopped all 35 shots for his first shutout of the season. Ron Sedlbauer provided much of the offense, scoring the game winner at 17:13 of the first on the power play with help from Rick Blight and Dennis Kearns. He scored his second of the game, again with the man advantage, at 8:06 of the second, putting one past Roger Crozier with assists going to Ab DeMarco and Chris Oddleifson.