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 April 5th, featuring Bobby Orr.
Also Read: When Bobby Orr Hit a MASSIVE Milestone in 1969-70 Season
Today in Hockey History
Bobby Orr is First Defenceman to Win Scoring Crown
1970: The Boston Bruins defender gets a second-period assist in a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Orr becomes the first at his position to win the league’s scoring title. He finishes with 33 goals and 87 assists for 120 points in 76 games.
Orr seals a great season with the game-winning goal of the Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues. It would be the first title for Boston since 1941. He’d win the scoring title again in 1974-75 with 136 points in his final full season.
Other Notable Events
1919: The Stanley Cup Final is officially canceled as Montreal Canadiens defenceman Joe Hall dies of influenza. It’s the only year the Cup is not awarded as the series with the Seattle Metropolitans ends tied at two.
1932: Busher Jackson is the first player to score three goals in one post-season period. The Leafs beat the New York Rangers, 6-4, in Game 1 of the Final.
1955: Ted Lindsay scores four goals as the Detroit Red Wings rout the Canadiens, 7-1. It’s the first four-goal game in final since the league took control of the cup in 1926. Lindsay’s performance helps Detroit take Game 2.
1980: Marcel Dionne wins his only scoring title with two assists in the Los Angeles Kings 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
1997: Pittsburgh Penguins star Mario Lemieux announces he will retire at the end of the season. He’d return to the league in Dec. 2000 and would play until 2006.
2007: New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur sets a record for wins in a season with 48. He’d help the Devils to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
2018: It was a wild day as 11 of the 12 NHL games are decided by one goal. Daniel Sedin scores off a feed from Henrik Sedin in the final home game for the twins. Vancouver would beat the Arizona Coyotes, 4-3.
Roman Josi scores the game-winner as the Nashville Predators clinch their first President’s Trophy in team history with a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals.
Roberto Luongo is the third goalie to play 1,000 games as the Florida Panthers beat the Bruins, 3-2.
Happy Birthday to You
1945: Doug Favell
1977: Trevor Letowski
1988: Zack Smith
1995: Bo Horvat
