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 18th, featuring Brian Skrudland.
Today in Hockey History
Brian Skrudland Scores in Nine Seconds
1986: The Montreal Canadiens forward scores nine seconds into overtime as they beat the Calgary Flames, 3-2. Skrudland beats Mike Vernon to help the Habs tie the Stanley Cup Final at one game apiece. He finishes off a 2-on-1 break to give Montreal the victory.
Skrudland is the first player since Cy Wentworth in 1931 to score his first playoff goal in overtime of the Stanley Cup Final. Montreal would go on to win the series in five games. The title would be the 23rd in franchise history and 17th in their last 18 appearances.
Other Notable Events
1971: Jean Beliveau rides off into the sunset with his final Stanley Cup as a player. The Canadiens beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2, in Game 7. Henri Richard scores twice and Ken Dryden makes 31 saves to get the victory. It’s Beliveau’s 10th championship as a player.
1973: Boston Bruins defenceman Bobby Orr wins the Norris Trophy for the sixth straight year. It’s the first time a player has won an individual award that many times in a row.
1978: Montreal’s streak of 11 straight Final game wins ends with a 4-0 Game 3 loss to Boston. Gerry Cheevers makes 16 saves and Peter McNab gets a goal and an assist.
1990: Jari Kurri celebrates his 30th birthday with a hat trick and two assists. The Edmonton Oilers beat Boston, 7-2, in Game 2 of the final. Kurri is the second player after Wayne Gretzky to get 200 post-season points.
1993: Stephan Lebeau scores 6:21 of the second overtime as the Canadiens with their sixth straight overtime game. His tally helps the Habs beat the New York Islanders 4-3 Game 2 in the Wales Conference Final.
1997: Gretzky gets his 10th post-season hat trick in a 5-4 Game 2 win by the New York Rangers. The Rangers take the win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Final.
2008: The Pittsburgh Penguins reach the Final for the first time in 16 years. Ryan Malone scores twice and Marc-Andre Fleury stops 21 shots in a 6-0 Game 6 win over the Flyers.
2015: Tyler Johnson‘s hat trick leads the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 6-2 Game 2 win over the Rangers.
2018:The Vegas Golden Knights get within a game of the final with a 3-2 Game 4 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Happy Birthday to You
1959: Jay Wells
1960: Jari Kurri; Brent Ashton; Jim Fox
1962: John Chabot
1963: Marty McSorley
1980: Manny Malhotra
1972: Turner Stevenson
1976: Oleg Tverdovsky
1994: Chris Driedger
