Aug 23, 2025
The Night Rocket Richard Became the Playmaker and Bert Olmstead Scored 8 Points
On January 9, 1954, the Montreal Forum saw a role reversal for the ages. Usually the sniper, Maurice "Rocket" Richard piled up five assists, while Bert Olmstead , normally the set-up man, tied a Canadiens franchise record with an eight-point game (four goals, four assists) in a 12-1 thrashing of Chicago.
Jean Béliveau added two goals and three assists of his own as Montreal overwhelmed the last-place Blackhawks. For Olmstead, it was a career night and one of the rare times the Rocket’s brilliance came through as a playmaker, not a goal-scorer.