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 May 15th, featuring Petr Klima.
Today in Hockey History
Petr Klima Ends Longest Stanley Cup Final Game
1990: The Edmonton Oilers forward scores 15:13 into the third overtime as they edge the Boston Bruins, 3-2. Klima got benched for long stretches during the game but beats Bruins goalie Andy Moog to end the game.
Edmonton had gotten out to a 2-0 lead before Boston rallied. Ray Bourque scores early in the period before a 26-minute power outage. He tallies again with 1:29 left in regulation to force plenty of extra hockey. The Oilers go on to win the series in five games.
Other Notable Events
1926: The league approves a second New York franchise to join the Americans. Tex Rickard is the owner and they eventually morph into the New York Rangers. Chicago and Detroit are also given teams for the next season if their rinks are ready. The new teams join Boston and Pittsburgh in the American Division. The Americans join Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto in the Canadian Division.
1967: Boston and Chicago pull off a blockbuster trade as the Bruins get Phil Esposito, Fred Stanfield and Ken Hodge. The Blackhawks acquire Pit Martin, Gilles Marotte and Jack Norris. Boston ends up getting the better of the deal.
1979: Ken Dryden is a last-minute replacement for Michel Larocque and he helps the Habs past the Rangers, 6-2, in Game 2 of the Final. Dryden was pulled in Game 1, but Larocque was injured by a shot from Doug Risebrough.
1980: Paul Holmgren is the first American-born player to get a hat trick in Cup Final game. He leads the Philadelphia Flyers to an 8-3 victory over the New York Islanders.
1994: Stephane Richer‘s fourth OT-winner in his career leads the New Jersey Devils to a 4-3 Game 1 win over the Rangers in the Eastern Final.
1995: The Vancouver Canucks set a record with two shorthanded goals in 17 seconds. Christian Ruuttu and Geoff Courtnall get goals in a 6-5 OT win over the St. Louis Blues.
2002: Patrick Roy gets his 22nd career post-season shutout in a 1-0 Game 7 win for the Colorado Avalanche over the San Jose Sharks.
2018: Victor Hedman gets two assists in a 4-2 victory for the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Washington Capitals. He extends his point streak to eight games and is the 15th defenceman to do that.
Happy Birthday to You
1914: Turk Broda
1953: Pat Hickey
1964: Dave Reid
1966: Paul Ysebaert
1970: Wes Walz
1990: Jordan Eberle
