Penguin Pete lights up the Igloo

A day after the Penguins headed home from Montreal with Pete Mahovlich and the pain of another drubbing from the Canadiens in tow, they hit the Igloo ice against the Detroit Red Wings. Mahovlich helped everyone who came out forget about the recently departed Pierre Larouche by scoring a hat trick and leading his new team to a 6-4 victory. 

This game report from December 1, 1977 gives a nice description of Pete’s first three Penguin tallies, the last of which was the game-winner. “[He] was a real inspiration,” said coach Johnny Wilson of his new star after the game.

This piece from the Pittsburgh Press looks at the potential positive impact the big centerman might have on the team.