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Legendary reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly scrapbook for NHL.com. Fischler, known as “The Hockey Maven,” shares his humor and insight with readers each Wednesday.

This week recalls a bizarre game when ironman goalie Glenn Hall, creator of the “Butterfly” technique, was ejected in less than three minutes. Earlier in his long career, Hall set a record of playing 502 consecutive games without a mask. 

He wore a mask for the first time that night, but it didn’t last long.

Glenn Hall, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975, had gained quite a reputation for his unique pregame ritual in the dressing room. He would voluntarily induce vomiting to calm his stomach before hitting the ice.

Author-historian Alan Greenberg vividly recalled the incident that occurred on Nov. 13, 1968, during the St. Louis Blues versus New York Rangers game at Madison Garden. It wasn’t just “Mr. Goalie’s” upset stomach that day; there was more to it. Greenberg recounted the events that sparked the Blues goalie’s unusually intense outburst, resulting in his expulsion from the game.

Greenberg recounted, “Glenn exhibited irritability prior to the game’s commencement due to the fact that it was his first time ever wearing a mask, causing him to feel highly uncomfortable.”

Author Tom Adrahtas recounted the persuasive efforts of teammate Red Berenson in his authorized biography, “Glenn Hall: The Man Called Mr. Goalie,” and detailed Hall’s subsequent change of heart regarding wearing a mask, along with his reaction.

Hall said, “After Red persuaded me, he asked, ‘Why not now?’ and the following evening I wore it prior to a Rangers game in New York.”

Not long after the start of the game, Vic Hadfield from New York scored a remarkable goal against Hall with a powerful shot that dipped and curved, leaving him frustrated and unnerved. To add to his frustration, Mr. Goalie lost his temper when referee Vern Buffey penalized the Blues for a delay of game.

According to Adrahtas, Hall departed from his position to dispute the decision. When Buffey rejected the goalie’s protest, Hall reacted by lightly tapping the referee’s chest with his catching glove. This action led to Glenn receiving a game misconduct penalty, marking the sole instance of such a penalty in his career.

This, in turn, caused complications for St. Louis coach Scotty Bowman since he had been alternating Hall and Jacques Plante every game. To rest each of them, he employed inexperienced Robbie Irons as a third goalie, but never wanted to actually put Irons in a regular game. 

Now Bowman had no choice.

“Scotty had to figure out a way to have Irons in there for as little time as possible so that Plante could get dressed and take over from Hall,” Greenberg said. “Bowman signaled Jacques to hurry down from the press box and put on his equipment. Meanwhile, defenseman Doug Harvey was concerned by the very sight of inexperienced Irons taking over.

Bowman recalled the incident, stating, “Harvey approached me and conveyed, ‘We cannot proceed with Irons. Should I inform him to inflict harm?’ I replied, ‘If you are able to, then go ahead.’ And true to his word, he carried out the task.”

Irons recounted, “I dropped down on one knee, feigning injury. Shortly after, I headed to the bench to collect myself. Following that, the trainer escorted me to the locker room. In no time, the referee approached and urged, ‘Let’s resume the game,’ prompting me to return to the field and continue playing.”

Bowman’s strategy proved successful as Irons’ playing time was limited to just three minutes, during which he failed to take a shot on goal. This brief period was sufficient for Plante to step in and exhibit his flawless performance, making an impressive 21 saves, ultimately leading the Blues to a 3-1 victory.

“The shortest career by an NHL goaltender, Robbie’s three-minute record remained unbroken for years,” Greenberg stated. “Little did Irons and the NHL know that those three minutes would hold great significance.”

However, there were consequences that followed. Rangers president William M. Jennings and general manager Emile Francis expressed strong objections during the mischievous activities, and eventually achieved the desired outcomes.

The NHL enforced, and later altered, what would be recognized as The Robbie Irons Rule.

According to Irons, during the regular season, if two goaltenders were dressed, they were obligated to complete the game, or else the team had to rely on a defenseman.

After the Blues’ unexpected win, Hall regained his composure. Inside the locker room, he jokingly remarked to a fellow teammate, “You know, it’s funny how whenever I don a mask, I end up getting ejected from the game. Now I can empathize with starting pitchers in baseball who get kicked out in the first inning.”

After the Irons episode, Hall emerged victorious once more, wearing a mask, as he triumphed over the Oakland Seals with an impressive 7-0 victory. When asked by Adraitas, he explained his decision to never go maskless again.

He mentioned that he has received over 250 stitches on his head and face, and he prefers not to have his paycheck sent to him at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Afterwards, there was a momentary silence before someone added, “Or even the cemetery, if you think about it!”