Hockey’s Most Memorable Overtime Moments

14 June 2025

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of overtime in hockey. That nerve-wracking, edge-of-your-seat feeling when the game is tied, and the next goal decides it all. It’s the kind of excitement that makes your heart race and your palms sweaty. From the Stanley Cup Finals to Olympic showdowns, overtime has delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in hockey history.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of hockey’s most legendary overtime moments that left fans cheering—or absolutely devastated.

1. Bobby Orr’s Flying Goal (1970)

If you ask any hockey fan about the greatest overtime goal in history, Bobby Orr’s 1970 Stanley Cup-winning goal is probably the first thing that comes to mind.

Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Boston Bruins are up 3-0 in the series against the St. Louis Blues. Just seconds into overtime, Orr takes a pass from Derek Sanderson, skates towards the net, and then—BOOM! He fires the puck past goaltender Glenn Hall. The moment he scores, Orr gets tripped and goes airborne, arms stretched out like Superman.

That iconic image of Orr flying through the air became one of the most famous photographs in sports history. More importantly, it ended the Bruins’ 29-year Stanley Cup drought, cementing his legacy as one of hockey’s greatest players.

2. "The Easter Epic" - Pat LaFontaine’s Game 7 Winner (1987)

Four overtimes. Yes, you read that right. FOUR.

This epic battle between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the 1987 Patrick Division Semifinals lasted a mind-blowing 128 minutes and 47 seconds. By the time the game stretched into the wee hours of Easter Sunday, fans and players alike were running on fumes.

Then, with everyone absolutely exhausted, Pat LaFontaine ended the marathon with a wrist shot that somehow found its way past Bob Mason. Just like that, after nearly seven periods of hockey, the Islanders had won.

Fans who stayed up to watch the entire game still talk about it as one of the longest and most grueling overtime thrillers in NHL history.

3. Brett Hull’s "No Goal" Controversy (1999)

For Dallas Stars fans, this was a moment of pure euphoria. For Buffalo Sabres fans? Absolute heartbreak.

Game 6 of the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals. The Stars and Sabres are locked in a 1-1 tie deep into triple overtime. Brett Hull, one of the greatest goal-scorers of his era, plants himself in front of the net. He gets a rebound and buries it past Dominik Hasek. Game over. Dallas wins the Cup.

Or do they?

The controversy? Hull’s skate was in the crease before he scored, which should have violated the NHL’s “skate-in-the-crease” rule at the time. Sabres fans still argue it should have been disallowed. But the league ruled the goal was legit, and the Stars won their first-ever Stanley Cup in franchise history.

4. Sidney Crosby’s Golden Goal (2010)

If you’re Canadian, this one probably brings a tear to your eye. If you’re an American, well... you might want to skip this section.

The 2010 Olympic gold medal game between Canada and the USA was already legendary before it hit overtime. Zach Parise’s last-minute goal had tied the game 2-2, sending it to sudden death. The pressure was intense, the stakes higher than ever.

Enter Sidney Crosby.

Just 7:40 into overtime, Crosby took a pass from Jarome Iginla and snapped the puck past Ryan Miller. The crowd in Vancouver erupted. Canada had won the gold medal on home soil, and "The Golden Goal" became an instant national treasure.

To this day, that moment is played on loop every time Canada talks about hockey greatness.

5. Alec Martinez Seals the Cup for the Kings (2014)

Talk about clutch.

The 2014 Stanley Cup Final between the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers had already been a thrilling series. Game 5 went to double overtime, with both teams playing like warriors. The tension in the Staples Center was unbearable.

Suddenly, defenseman Alec Martinez found himself with the puck after a rebound, and in the blink of an eye, he buried it past Henrik Lundqvist. The Kings had won their second Cup in three years, and the celebration was pure chaos.

Even today, Kings fans still remember that goal as one of the greatest in team history.

6. Petr Klima’s Game 1 Winner (1990)

The 1990 Stanley Cup Finals kicked off with a marathon matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Boston Bruins. Game 1 stretched into triple overtime, making it one of the longest Finals games ever played.

Enter Petr Klima.

Klima, who hadn’t seen much action that night, came off the bench and—with fresh legs—rifled a shot past Bruins goalie Andy Moog. Just like that, the Oilers won Game 1, setting the tone for their eventual series victory.

Fun fact: Klima’s goal was so late in the night that many fans had already fallen asleep!

7. Keith Primeau’s Heroics in 2000

The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins met in the 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals, and Game 4 was one for the ages.

The teams battled through five overtimes, making it the longest game of the modern NHL era. Then, in the fifth extra period, Keith Primeau danced around defenders and fired a shot past Ron Tugnutt to end it.

The Flyers had won after 92 minutes of overtime play—an absolute marathon of a game.

8. Martin Gelinas Ends Three Series in OT (2004)

Some players are just born to score clutch goals. In the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Martin Gelinas became the poster boy for that.

Not once, not twice, but THREE times, he scored overtime series-winning goals for the Calgary Flames. He eliminated the Vancouver Canucks in Round 1, the Detroit Red Wings in Round 2, and the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Finals.

Talk about a guy with ice in his veins! Though the Flames fell short in the Stanley Cup Final, Gelinas’ heroics that year remain one of the most incredible feats in playoff history.

Final Thoughts

Hockey overtime is pure drama. It’s when legends are made and heartbreaks are delivered. Whether it’s a Stanley Cup-winning goal, an Olympic masterpiece, or a triple-overtime grind, these moments are what make the sport so electrifying.

Which overtime goal is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!