The Day Hockey Turned into a Warzone: Remembering the 1985 Good Friday Massacre

Igor Burdetskiy April 7, 2023

2 1 minute read

On Good Friday, 38 years ago, while the Montreal Canadiens were playing the Quebec Nordiques, the largest hockey brawl in history took place.

Eleven individuals were ejected from the game. There were 252 penalty minutes assessed. A period remained to be played. Chris Nilan, Wilf Paiement, Mike McPhee, Dale Hunter, Guy Carboneau, Mario Tremblay, Peter Stastny, Louis Sleigher, Jean Hamel, and Mark Hunter are among the players squaring off on the ice.

Chris Nilan, one of the toughest men ever said it was “the scariest thing he was ever involved in.”

Game 6 between the Quebec Nordiques and the Montreal Canadiens. An intense match featuring epic line brawls and goalie fights. Absolute mayhem broke out in the match popularly referred to as the Good Friday Massacre.

Subscribe to this author's posts feed via RSS

Bio
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Latest Posts

Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!