The Race to 50 Goals.

The NHL had not seen a 50-goal scorer since Maurice Richard recorded 50 goals in 50 games in 1944/45. Gordie Howe and Jean Beliveau came close during the 1950s, but, as the 10960/61 season progressed, two new snipers were taking aim at the 50 goal plateau. Frank Mahovlich appeared to have the beats chance to reach 50 goals. Mahovlich had 36 goals in 41 games by early January. Bernie Geoffrion was also in contention to score 50 goals, but injuries temporarily sidelined him at by the time that February rolled around he had 28 goals while Mahovlich had 41 goals. As Geoffrion picked up the pace, it was now Mahovlich’s turn to be stricken with injuries. By the beginning of March and thanks to 16 goals in a 10 game span, Geoffrion had 46 goals and was only one goal behind Mahovlich. Within a game of hitting 46 goals, Geoffrion would score 2 goals and pass Mahovlich for the NHL lead in goal scoring. Geoffrion would score his 50th goal of the 1960/61 season with two games remaining in a 70 game schedule and would become the first 50 goal scorer since Maurice Richard. Geoffrion would only tie Richard’s 50 goal mark, while Mahovlich would end up 2 goals short of 50.

It has often been claimed than Bernie Geoffrion invented and perfected the slapshot and it was this claim and his powerful shot that landed him the nickname Boom Boom. Geoffrion would go onto play 16 seasons from 1950 to 1968 and during that time he would drink from Lord Stanley's mug on five occasions. Geoffrion would retire with 883 games played, 393 goals, 822 points and all of this lead to a Hall of Fame induction in 1972. Sadly the NHL community would lose one of it's legends on March 11/2006 as Geoffrion lost his six-month battle with stomach cancer.