A lot of noise is made when brothers get together in hockey. Whether they play together like the Sedins in Vancouver, or the Koivus going head to head when the Ducks meet the Wild. People talk about who will outscore who, how the brothers interact, what their lives off the ice are like - all kinds of things. On March 20, 1971, a very similar moment happened in the most unique of ways. Brothers Dave and Ken Dryden faced each other from 200-feet apart.

The match didn’t go as smoothly – or historically – as fans and media wanted. Habs coach Al MacNeil started Rogie Vachon in net, claiming he wanted the win more than the historic moment, despite Ken’s back-to-back one-goal performances. Sabres coach Punch Imlach pulled Dave for Joe Daley as soon as the puck dropped and it seemed that this chance for fame and fortune would be missed because of one spoilsport’s lack of enthusiasm. Both Drydens warmed their respective benches like pros.

Halfway through the game, as if not wanting to be denied, fate stepped in and forced the historic moment upon the spectators. Vachon pulled a groin muscle and had to be taken out. MacNeil sent his Dryden to goal and Imlach, seeing the opportunity, immediately sent Dave to oppose the Canadiens. The crowd applause resounded throughout the Montreal Forum as the brothers stood guard for their respective teams. Montreal had a 2-0 lead, but it was like a new game from that moment on.

Dave Dryden stumbled first, allowing Jacques Lemaire to add to Montreal’s lead with a 70-foot slap shot. In the third period, Buffalo made a game of it, scoring twice in 48 seconds to cut the lead down to 3-2. Henri Richard put the game out of reach for Montreal and an empty netter solidified the 5-2 win. After the game, the two brothers – after allowing a pair of goals each – skated to centre ice and shook hands with camera bulbs flashing all around. From the stands, their father Murray watched on proudly, beaming with a smile for his two sons.