The hype for the last New Year's Eve of the millennium has been building for months, but it pales in comparison to the anticipation of Montreal hockey fans in 1975.

No one was talking about a party at the time. Instead, people in the French-Canadian city, and indeed around the hockey world, were getting ready for an exhibition game between the Soviet Union's powerful Central Red Army team and the Montreal Canadiens.

Many expected an incredible contest. Few were disappointed.

The Soviets stunned hockey fans everywhere only three years earlier when their national team, a collection of so-called amateurs, nearly defeated the NHL's top professionals in the landmark Summit Series of 1972.

Unable to accept the fact that the Soviets had reached parity with North America's best players, fans claimed that the upstarts were at an advantage because they trained and played together as a team, while their NHL opponents were assembled quickly and therefore did not have the same opportunity to gel.

Consequently, the idea of an exhibition series between the Red Army and select NHL teams during the 1975-76 regular season was hatched. The highlight would be the game played at the fabled Forum on New Year's Eve.

The Canadiens, who would go on to win the Stanley Cup that season, were magnificent. They limited to Soviets to four shots in the first period, three in the second and a total of 13 overall.

But the Soviets had a legend named Vladislav Tretiak in goal, and his acrobatics kept his team in the game for two periods, and saved them in the third when the Canadiens fired 16 of their 38 total shots at him.

When it was over, there were no bragging rights to be had. As the final siren sounded, the scoreboard stood deadlocked at 3-3. It was perhaps a fitting end to what became known as the greatest game ever played, and it was one of the most memorable events that took place in hockey history during the week of Dec. 27- Jan. 2.

December 27

Wayne Gretzky didn't like to waste time.(Allsport)

Any player who scores 100 points in a season is considered to have a notable campaign. Early in his career, Wayne Gretzky was liable to reach that plateau by the All-Star break. On this date in 1981, Gretzky scored his 100th point of the season for Edmonton in only his 38th game, breaking the record of 51 games set by Phil Esposito a decade earlier. Gretzky did himself one better, scoring 100 points in 34 games two years later.

December 28

Maurice Richard felt the history of the day.

Two legendary Montreal Canadiens share a special distinction on this date. In 1933, Howie Morenz, arguably the most prolific scorer of his generation, notched two goals against Boston to become the first NHL player to reach the 250-goal mark for his career. Eleven years later in 1944, Maurice 'Rocket' Richard scored eight points in a game against Detroit to set a new single-game record. Richard's mark was broken by Darryl Sittler, who scored 10 points in a 1976 game.

December 29

Don Beaupre's durabilty kept him in the NHL.(Allsport)

Don Beaupre began his NHL career with the Minnesota North Stars and ended up playing for four teams in a career that spanned 16 seasons. Fans that saw him break in missed a milestone which took place on this date in 1992 when, as a member of the Washington Capitals, he played in his 500th career game. Minnesota fans can remember this date for another reason. In 1969, Charlie Burns replaced Wren Blair behind the team's bench, and two months later, became the final player/coach in NHL history.

December 30
Wayne Gretzky did things in style.(Allsport)	No one ever accused Wayne Gretzky of lacking style. On this date in 1981, Gretzky set another of his 61 career records by reaching the 50-goal mark in only his 39th game. That was 11 games faster than anyone. Gretzky got there by scoring five goals in a 7-5 Edmonton victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

December 31

Mario Lemieux could score any way he liked.(Allsport)

Mario Lemieux is considered by many to be the purest talent to ever play the game. There was nothing he couldn't it seemed, when he put his mind to it. On this date in 1988, Lemieux focused his attention on scoring several differents ways, and ended up doing so five times. Leading his Penguins to an 8-6 win over New Jersey, Lemieux scored an even-strength goal, a short-handed goal, one on the power play, one on a penalty shot and one into an empty net. Oh yes, he also had three assists.

January 1
Todd Elik became a footnote to history.(Allsport)	His Los Angeles Kings had several guys who were known for putting the puck in the net, including one who wore No. 99, but on this date in 1990, Todd Elik became a trivia answer by scoring the first goal of the decade. Los Angeles went on to beat the Washington Capitals 7-4. Gretzky did share in a decade first that day, receiving the first penalty of the 90s, a coincidental minor for roughing.

January 2

Mike Bossy was one of hockey's most natural scorers.(Allsport)

When Mike Bossy played for the New York Islanders, his coach Al Arbour used to marvel at how easy the right winger made scoring look. Bossy was one of the most gifted marksman ever, scoring 573 in 10 NHL seasons. His career was cut short by back injuries, but not before Bossy achieved several milestones. One of them took place on this date in 1986, when Bossy scored his 500th career goal in a 7-5 win over Boston. He became the 11th player to do so, and he accomplished the feat in 647 games, faster than any other player had done so by that time.