Phil Esposito squares off against Bruce Armstrong in the first round of the Boston’s Biggest Sports Legend tournament.
A few NHL superstars flirted with the century mark in points, but it wasn’t until Bruins sniper Phil Esposito racked up 126 points during the 1968-69 season that a player reached triple digits. The B’s lethal center was the goal scorer of his era, owning the scoring title in six of his eight seasons as a member of the Black and Gold. Espo played in 10 career All-Star games and retired as the second-leading goal and point scorer in NHL history. The proud owner of the No. 7 uniform in the Garden rafters captured five Ross Trophies and two Hart Memorial Trophies, and still holds the NHL record for career game-winning goals with 118, including 16 winners in the 1972 Stanley Cup-winning season for the Black and Gold. Esposito was instrumental in the B’s last two titles, notching 27 points in the 1970 playoff run and 24 in the 1972 title stretch.
It’s ironic that football games are won in the trenches, yet the giants who do the dirty work battle in relative anonymity. Bruce Armstrong was so good at protecting quarterbacks and opening holes for running backs that he emerged from the shadows. Armstrong played the most games in Patriots franchise history (212) and was a mainstay on New England’s offensive line for 14 years. The Florida native was drafted 23rd overall by the Pats in 1987 out of Louisville, given jersey No. 78 and became a legend. Armstrong played with the Patriots through 2000, earning Pro Bowl selections six times and becoming one of just seven Patriots to have his number retired. A model of dependability, Armstong started in every game he played and ended his career with 128 consecutive starts. Time will tell if he gets a bust in Canton, but he’ll always have a special place in the hearts of Patriots fans.
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