Sixty-nine years ago Tuesday, Lower Burrell native Pete Babando scored perhaps the most dramatic goal in NHL history.
Babando scored 8 minutes, 31 seconds into the second overtime to give the Detroit Red Wings a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the 1950 Stanley Cup Final.
It was the first time the Stanley Cup was decided in overtime in a seventh game. It remains the only Game 7-winning goal scored past the first overtime.
4/23/50: #RedWings Pete Babando scores the first-ever Game 7 OT Cup-winning goal to seal Detroit's 4th championship.#TBT by: @DMC_Heals pic.twitter.com/8CIH8vFaLI
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 13, 2017
The goal came off an offensive-zone faceoff. George Gee won the draw back to Babando, who shot and scored through a screen. Detroit captain Ted Lindsay was so jubilant that he lifted the Stanley Cup over his head in celebration and skated along the boards with it, starting a tradition that continues to this day.
Babando, who was born in the Braeburn section of Lower Burrell, was an unlikely hero. A journeyman who played for four teams in a six-year NHL career, he had six goals in 56 games with the Red Wings that season.
Now 93, Babando is one of the oldest living Stanley Cup champions.
