On March 13, 1998, the Dallas Stars defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 6–3 at Reunion Arena in a game remembered for both offensive fireworks and a massive number of penalties.

The contest featured over 180 combined penalty minutes, including several fights and a late-game line brawl that erupted after a hit by Stars defenseman Craig Ludwig on Anaheim star Teemu Selänne. The Ducks alone accumulated 117 penalty minutes, which remains one of the highest single-game totals in franchise history.

The night belonged to Joe Nieuwendyk, who delivered a dominant performance with four goals, one of the top single-game scoring efforts of his career. Nieuwendyk scored twice in the first period, completed the hat trick in the second, and added his fourth goal late in the third period.

Additional goals for Dallas came from Jamie Langenbrunner and Guy Carbonneau, while Anaheim received goals from Frank Banham, Matt Cullen, and Sean Pronger.

Nieuwendyk’s four-goal effort was a reminder of the scoring touch that defined his career. Over 1,257 NHL games, he recorded 564 goals and 1,126 points and later helped Dallas capture the Stanley Cup in 1999.