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 29th, featuring Bobby Clarke.
Today in Hockey History
Bobby Clarke First to Get 100 Points for Expansion Team
1973: The Philadelphia Flyers forward scores in a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Flames at the Spectrum. Clarke becomes the first player from an expansion team to get 100 points in a season.
He’d finish with 104 points on 37 goals and 67 assists for the season. Clarke would win the Hart Trophy for league MVP and the Flyers would reach the Stanley Cup semifinals.
Other Notable Events
1970: Tony Esposito sets a record for most shutouts for a rookie goalie with 15. The Chicago Blackhawks blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-0. He would win the Vezina and Calder Trophies.
1975: The Montreal Canadiens become the first team to win 1,000 home games with a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Scouts. Guy Lafleur also scores his 50th goal for the sixth straight season.
1981: Wayne Gretzky breaks Phil Esposito‘s record for most points in a season by getting three assists for the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky notched three assists in the 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He’d score his 894th and final professional goal as the New York Rangers beat the New York Islanders, 3-1.
1989: Brian Leetch of the Rangers sets the rookie record for goals by a defenceman in the Blueshirts 4-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Leetch would net his 23rd goal of the season, which eclipsed Barry Beck‘s record.
2000: Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche is the first goalie to get 30 wins in 10 seasons. The Avs would beat the Oilers, 3-2.
2018: Scott Foster, a 36-year-old accountant, makes seven saves as the Blackhawks beat the Winnipeg Jets, 6-1. He comes in for Colin Delia, who left with cramps in the third period.
2019: The St. Louis Blues are the first team to reach the post-season after being last in the overall standings after Jan. 1.
Happy Birthday to You
1938: Duane Rupp
1959: Brad McCrimmon
1962: Jon Casey
1964: Richard Kromm
1994: Tom Wilson
