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 31st, featuring Gordie Howe.
Today in Hockey History
Gordie Howe Born in Saskatchewan
1928: The Detroit Red Wings great was born in Floral, Saskatchewan. The man known as “Mr. Hockey” would score 801 NHL goals and added 174 from the World Hockey Association. He would win the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy six times each and win four Stanley Cups.
He’d retire in 1971 and be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972. Howe would return to hockey to play with his sons Mark Howe and Marty Howe of the Houston Aeros. He’d return to the NHL with the Hartford Whalers for one last season in 1979-80. He would pass away at the age of 88 on June 10, 2016.
Other Notable Events
1923: King Clancy of the Ottawa Senators plays all six positions in a 1-0 victory over Edmonton in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
1927: Howie Morenz of the Montreal Canadiens scores 12:05 into overtime in a 1-0 win over the Montreal Maroons. It’s the first all-NHL playoff game in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
1942: The Toronto Maple Leafs are the first franchise to win 50 post-season games with a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers in Game 6 of the semifinals.
1951: The Boston Bruins and the Leafs play to the last time in post-season history. Both clubs are tied at one, but Ontario’s Sundary curfew law prevented the game from continuing.
1973: Bobby Orr gets a hat trick to reach 100 points for the fourth straight season. Boston would lose 7-3 to Toronto.
1984: Mike Bossy is the first player to score 50 goals in seven straight seasons. The New York Islanders would beat the Washington Capitals 3-1.
1989: Sergei Priakin is the first player from the Soviet Hockey Federation as the Calgary Flames beat the Winnipeg Jets, 4-1.
1994: Jeremy Roenick is the first Chicago Blackhawks player to get 100 points in three consecutive seasons.
2004: Mark Messier scores in his final NHL game as the Rangers lose 4-3 to the Buffalo Sabres.
2018: The Vegas Golden Knights are the first modern expansion team to win a division title as they beat the San Jose Sharks, 3-2. Vegas would get the Pacific Division crown.
Happy Birthday to You
1928: Gordie Howe
1936: Bob Pulford
1938: Bill Hicke
1965: Tom Barrasso
1971: Pavel Bure
1980: Michael Ryder
1984: David Clarkson
