During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for March 20th, featuring Bobby Hull.
Today in Hockey History
Bobby Hull Scores 55th to Break Single-Season Record
1969: Both Hull of the Chicago Blackhawks and Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins each make history in a 5-5 tie at the Boston Garden. Hull breaks his own record by scoring twice to get his 55th goal of the season. He gets both goals in a 13-second span to get the mark. Hull also becomes the second player to get 100 points in a season.
Orr breaks the record for most goals in a season by a defenceman when he scores with one second left to forge the tie. Boston blew a 4-0 lead, but couldn’t hang on. The great No. 4 eclipsed the record set by Flash Hollett in 1944-45.
Other Notable Events
1918: The Toronto Arenas become the first NHL team to play for the Stanley Cup. They beat the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, 5-3. Toronto’s club would eventually morph into the Maple Leafs.
1948: Maurice Richard of the Montreal Canadiens scores an even-strength, power-play and a shorthanded goal as the Habs beat the Blackhawks, 7-4. Montreal would score three shorthanded goals.
1955: Terry Sawchuk of the Detroit Red Wings is the first goalie to win 40 games three times a season in a 6-0 shutout of the Canadiens. Ted Lindsay nets a hat trick for his fourth three-goal game of this career.
1971: It’s a brotherly battle in net for the first time as the Habs Ken Dryden takes on Dave Dryden in Montreal’s 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The Canadiens’ Dryden comes in for an injured Rogie Vachon. Sabres’ coach Punch Imlach puts in Dave to give the Forum fans a historic treat.
1993: Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins gets four goals for the second straight game in the Pens’ 9-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Super Mario did the same thing two nights earlier against the Washington Capitals.
1994: Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings ties Gordie Howe with his 801st goal as he scores twice against the San Jose Sharks. However, the Kings could only manage a 6-6 tie.
2001: Ray Bourque of the Colorado Avalanche scores his final goal of his career in a 4-1 victory. The great defenceman still holds the mark of 410 goals for a blue liner.
2014: Darryl Sutter becomes the 18th coach to get 500 wins as the Kings beat the Capitals 2-1 in a shootout.
Happy Birthday to You
1948: Bobby Orr
1954: Charlie Simmer
1983: Dennis Wideman
1984: Valtteri Filppula
1991: Nick Leddy
1992: Justin Faulk
