When Wayne Gretzky scored 50 goals in 39 games

By Arnab Mondal

Modified Feb 15, 2023 20:29 GMT

In a stunning display of talent, Wayne Gretzky obliterated the record for the fastest 50 goals in a hockey season. After scoring four goals a few nights prior, Gretzky took to the ice for the Edmonton Oilers. He already had 45 goals under his belt in 38 games. He looked poised to break the longstanding record held by Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy for 50 goals in 50 games. In an incredible performance, Gretzky netted an impressive five goals during the Oilers' 7-5 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. He secured his place in history as one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

Wayne Gretzky's masterful performance during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers was a sight to behold. With two goals in the first period, another in the second, and a fourth early on in the third, the Oilers sat pretty with a commanding 6-3 lead. However, the Flyers came back strong, scoring two goals to bring the score to a tense 6-5. With time rapidly dwindling, the Flyers pulled their goalie Pete Peeters in a risky gamble to tie the game. Unfortunately, for them, this move backfired spectacularly when Gretzky seized the opportunity and scored an empty-net goal, securing his 50th goal of the season.

The rest of the season was no less impressive, as Gretzky went on to score an incredible 92 goals. He cemented his place in history as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, setting a record that still stands as the NHL's single-season record.

The Great One: A Legendary Career of Wayne Gretzky in Hockey History

Wayne Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest ice hockey player of all time. His legendary career spanned two decades, during which he dominated the sport and set numerous records that are yet to be broken.

Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, in 1961. From an early age, he displayed a natural talent for hockey. His father, who was also a hockey player, nurtured his passion for the sport. Gretzky began playing organized hockey at the age of six and was quickly recognized as a prodigious talent.

In 1978, Gretzky began his professional career with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA). However, he played only a few games before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. In his first full season with the Oilers, Gretzky led the league in scoring with 137 points, and he continued to dominate the sport for the next several years.

During his time with the Oilers, Wayne Gretzky set numerous records and won four Stanley Cup championships. In the 1981-1982 season, he set a new NHL record with 92 goals in a single season, a feat that still stands today. He also holds the record for most points in a single season, with 215.

In 1988, Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, a move that shocked the hockey world. Despite the change in scenery, Gretzky continued to dominate the sport and led the Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993.

Gretzky also had an illustrious international career, representing Canada in numerous international competitions. He won the Canada Cup in 1984, 1987, and 1991, and led Canada to victory at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wayne Gretzky retired from professional hockey in 1999, having played 20 seasons in the NHL. His career statistics are simply remarkable: 894 goals, 1,963 assists, and 2,857 points. These records still stand today, and it is unlikely that anyone will ever surpass them.