Rick Middleton scored the second most memorable goal in Boston Bruins history, with 3:59 remaining in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinals 30 years and one month ago.
Or so Bruins fans thought.
It was Thursday, May 10, 1979 at the raucous Montreal Forum and Middleton's goal, from an impossible angle, which hit goalie Ken Dryden's arm before going in, putting the Bruins ahead 4-3 against the three-time defending champion Montreal Canadiens.
"It was an incredible feeling," recalled Middleton, who says he will be at Game 1 of the Bruins-Canadiens series at the TD Banknorth Garden Thursday night.
The Bruins were less than four minutes away from not only getting to the finals, but they were finally going to beat the hex, curse, or domination — take your pick — that the Canadiens had over them in playoff action since 1943, winning 14 consecutive series.
Less than a minute and a half later, came the whistle heard 'round the hockey world — too many men on the ice.
Videotape footage showed the Bruins didn't have one player too many, but two, just before the infraction was called.
Among the devastating gaffes by Boston pro sports teams, with coach Don Cherry accepting the blame, this one ranks near the top.
With 40 seconds left on the bench minor and only 1:14 remaining in the game, Guy Lafleur took a drop back pass from Jacques Lemaire at the top of the right circle and he blasted the shot by Bruins goalie Gilles Gilbert.
"There were only two players in the NHL who could have scored like that," said Middleton, who resides in Hampton, N.H. "Mike Bossy and Guy Lafleur. It was bad luck for us. That hurt. That hurt a lot."
The Bruins eventually lost at 9:33 of the first overtime when Mario Tremblay, racing down the right wing, threw it across the left side to Yvon Lambert, who redirected it in.
"The thing was, we had the game," recalled Middleton. "We led 3-1 going into the third period. We totally outplayed them in the second period to get the lead. What happened was luck. I really believe that."
The pain was difficult to get over. Not only did the Canadiens beat the Bruins, but they beat the Rangers for their fourth straight Stanley Cup championship.
"I would loved to have played the Rangers (which traded him to the Bruins in 1977) for the Cup," said Middleton.
While it may have been inevitable, because of their acrimonious relationship, president Harry Sinden fired Cherry soon afterward.
"There was no hex or anything," said Middleton. "We lost because half the team was Hall of Famers. "It was tough to take. I've gone through a lot of emotions over the years. Looking back doesn't do any good."
It didn't get much better for Middleton and the Bruins against the Canadiens in the early 1980s. The Canadiens ousted the Bruins from the playoffs four straight years, from 1983-84 through 1986-87, making it 19 straight series' wins.
But everything changed the next year, which ended up being Middleton's last. The Bruins finally, after 44 years, beat the Canadiens in a series, crushing their northern neighbors, 4-1.
It literally brought tears to the eyes of fans, players and especially former players.
The Bruins eventually lost in the Stanley Cup finals, getting swept by the Edmonton Oilers, but that was a perfect way to end a career for a Bruin.
"Losing the Stanley Cup was tough to take, especially getting swept," said Middleton. "But to finally beat the Canadiens was really special. It felt like we won the cup. If you can't win the cup, beating the Canadiens was the next best thing to me."
While the Canadiens returned the favor the year after, the Bruins took temporary charge by ousting the Canadiens three consecutive seasons from 1989-90 through 1991-92 and again in 1993-94.
"What you see now is parity. It's a different league throughout," said Middleton.
Which brings us to Thursday night in Boston.
"I really like the Bruins in this series," said Middleton. "Last year, when these teams played, the Bruins were thin on defense and I believe (Aaron) Ward and (Andrew) Ference have helped there. Phil Kessel is a scorer. (David) Krejci was in the minors and now he can score. Guys they were counting on, (Zdeno) Chara and (Marc) Savard have come through. They have a well-balanced fourth line. The only weak spot is the No. 2 goalie. I don't think (Tim) Thomas can play every game."
Middleton also likes another thing pertaining to this series, which reminds him of, especially, the epic Bruins-Canadiens' matchups in the 1970s.
"That was a great game to watch (last Thursday). It was very physical and you can see there is a lot of animosity," said Middleton. "I'm really looking forward to this series. The only thing that concerns me is that it might be too physical. Remember last year, after the Canadiens beat the Bruins in that tough series, they lost to the Flyers."
Middleton has made plans for two of the games. He will watch the Game 1 with Bruins alumni on Thursday night and he will watch Game 5 at some bar.
"If there is a Game 5, and I believe there will be, I will be in Montreal helping my daughter move," said Middleton. "She moved there with her mother when she was in her teens. She works at the Bell Centre (where the Canadiens play). She is a Montreal fan. But because of me, she still has a soft spot for the Bruins.
"When I'm done helping her, I'll probably find a bar, with my Bruins jacket on and root them on," said Middleton. "It's going to be a great series."
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.
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