The Night the Oilers Scored 9 Goals… and Still Lost
The 1980s Edmonton Oilers were an unstoppable offensive force, led by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey. They were a team that seemed destined to outscore any opponent, often making games look like lopsided affairs. However, one unforgettable night, the high-flying Oilers found themselves on the wrong end of a chaotic, record-setting game—despite lighting the lamp nine times.
A Game of Pure Madness
On December 11, 1985, the Oilers faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks at the old Chicago Stadium. It was expected to be another showcase of Edmonton's offensive firepower, but nobody could have predicted the absolute scoring frenzy that unfolded that night. From the moment the puck dropped, both teams abandoned defense in favor of all-out attack.
The Oilers had already built a reputation for goal-fests, but this game took things to another level. Gretzky, as always, was in the thick of the action, setting up goals with pinpoint passes, while Kurri and Messier buried chances like clockwork. The problem? The Blackhawks were matching them goal for goal—and then some.
By the end of the first period, the score was already an astonishing 6-5 in favor of Chicago. A game that would typically see 11 goals total had reached that number in just 20 minutes. Fans in the arena couldn't believe what they were witnessing—two of the most high-powered offenses of the decade trading blows in a relentless scoring barrage.
The Blackhawks' Relentless Counterattack
Led by Denis Savard, Steve Larmer, and Al Secord, Chicago refused to back down. Every time the Oilers scored, the Blackhawks responded in kind, exploiting Edmonton's aggressive, offense-first strategy. The game quickly turned into a track meet, with end-to-end rushes leading to goals in bunches.
The Blackhawks' offensive depth proved crucial as they continued to find the back of the net. Even when it looked like the Oilers might pull ahead, Chicago answered with another wave of goals. It was a game where momentum swung wildly, but neither team could completely seize control.
The Goalies' Nightmare
Grant Fuhr, usually Edmonton's rock in net, had one of the roughest nights of his career. Despite making some highlight-reel saves, he couldn't withstand the onslaught. At the other end, Chicago's Warren Skorodenski faced similar struggles, but he had the advantage of his team's relentless offense backing him up.
The goalies weren't alone in their struggles—defense was virtually non-existent. Breakaways, odd-man rushes, and point-blank chances became the norm. At times, it felt like every shot taken had a chance to go in. The sheer volume of goals left both coaching staffs bewildered, with neither able to implement a defensive scheme to stop the madness.
By the third period, the exhausted goaltenders were left scrambling. Fuhr and Skorodenski were completely overwhelmed as the scoreboard continued to climb at an absurd rate. Coaches on both benches could only watch as the game descended further into chaos.
Final Score: A Hockey Anomaly
When the dust settled, the final score read **Chicago 12, Edmonton 9**. Despite scoring an incredible nine goals, the Oilers had lost. It remains one of the highest-scoring games in NHL history and one of the rare instances where a team managed to net nine times and still come up short.
Wayne Gretzky finished the night with five assists, further cementing his reputation as the greatest playmaker in the game, but it wasn't enough. Denis Savard led the Blackhawks with an equally dominant offensive performance, proving that even the mighty Oilers could be outgunned.
To this day, this game remains a statistical anomaly. It is one of only a handful of NHL games in history where a team scored nine or more goals and still lost. The sheer number of goals scored in a single night defied all conventional hockey logic.
A Lesson in Hockey Chaos
The 1985 Oilers would go on to win the Stanley Cup that season, their second in a string of five championships between 1984 and 1990. But this game stood out as a reminder that even the most talented offensive juggernauts could be undone by their own style of play.
The game became a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing wide-open hockey. As thrilling as it was for fans, the Oilers realized that no matter how dominant they were offensively, failing to tighten up defensively could cost them against an equally skilled opponent.
Looking back, this wild night in Chicago remains one of the most absurd and thrilling games in NHL history. It was a spectacle of unfiltered 1980s hockey—a time when defense was optional, goal-scoring was king, and no lead was ever safe.
For those who love hockey history, this game serves as a perfect example of just how unpredictable the sport can be. Even a dynasty like the Oilers wasn't immune to being caught in a firestorm of offense. It was a night where every goal seemed like it would be the last—until the next one came seconds later.