#butchgoring

Before he became a cornerstone of the Islanders’ dynasty, Butch Goring gave New York a painful preview.

On March 28, 1974, Goring recorded four points, including two goals, in a 4–1 Kings win, factoring in every goal scored by Los Angeles. At the time, he was the team’s offensive leader, and this performance showed exactly why.

Even more incredible? The only blemish on his stat line that night, a minor penalty, was the only penalty he took all season.

Years later, Goring would help the Islanders win four straight Stanley Cups. But on this night, he was the one leading their downfall.

We look closer at this game here: Butch Goring 4 Point Game

Known as one of the cleanest players of the 70s and 80s, Goring finished his career with just 102 penalty minutes in 1,107 games. But on November 26, 1969, his NHL debut with the Kings, he ended up in the box for hooking.

Chicago made him pay, scoring on the power play with Lou Angotti finishing a setup from Bobby Hull and Gilles Marotte. It was one of only four penalties Goring took that entire rookie season.

He’d go on to be one of the league’s most disciplined players, even going 78 games without a single penalty in 1980-81 with the Islanders. Wildly, he finished only seventh in Lady Byng voting that year.

At least the goals came quickly. Goring scored his first NHL marker the very next night, breaking Roger Crozier’s shutout attempt in Detroit.

NHL Hockey Card Greats: Butch Goring

March 30, 1980: The Islanders' new acquisition, Butch Goring, notched his first hat trick with the team in a wild 9-6 win over the Nordiques.

His four-point night matched Quebec’s Real Cloutier, who also had a hat trick and assist in the high-scoring affair. The game featured 78 total shots and set the tone for Goring’s crucial role in the Isles' upcoming Cup dynasty.