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 June 3rd, featuring Eric Desjardins.
Today in Hockey History
Eric Desjardins Gets First Hat Trick for Defence in Stanley Cup Final
1993: The Montreal Canadiens defenceman is the first at his position to get a hat trick in a Stanley Cup Final series. Desjardins scores three times as Montreal beats the Los Angeles Kings, 3-2, in overtime of Game 2.
The Habs gamble as coach Jacques Demers alleges that Kings’ defenceman Marty McSorely had an illegal curve on his sick. Referee Kerry Fraser measures the stick and the stick is deemed illegal, which is an automatic penalty. Desjardins scores the tying goal and then scores again, 51 seconds into overtime to even the series at one.
Other Notable Events
1955: The Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings pull off a nine-player trade, including goalie Terry Sawchuk. Detroit’s goalie is sent to Boston but retires after just two seasons.
1982: Dave Keon retires after 18 seasons in the league, including 15 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Keon ends up with 396 goals and 986 points in 1,296 NHL games.
1998: Jamie Langenbrunner scores from centre ice as the Dallas Stars beat the Red Wings, 3-2, in overtime. The improbable goal comes 46 seconds into overtime of Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.
2000: Jason Arnott and Brian Rafalski each get two points as the New Jersey Devils take Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. The duo helps the Devils beat the Stars, 2-1.
2004: Oleg Saprykin scores 14:40 into overtime as the Calgary Flames beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-2. Calgary wins its record 10th road game as they take Game 5 in the Stanley Cup Final.
2013: Boston’s four first-period goals lift them to a 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. It’s the first time in 30 years that a visiting team scores four or more goals in the first period of a conference final or Stanley Cup Final game.
2015: Teuvo Teravainen and Antoine Vermette both score in less than two minutes as the Chicago Blackhawks win Game 1 of the final over Tampa Bay. Chicago takes the opening game of the Cup Final, 2-1.
2017: The Nashville Predators win their first Stanley Cup Final game in team history. Roman Josi gets a goal and two assists in Nashville’s 5-1 Game 3 win over Pittsburgh.
2019: The St. Louis Blues win their first home game in the in team history in the Stanley Cup Final. Ryan O’Reilly scores two goals in St. Louis’ 4-2 Game 4 victory over Boston.
Happy Birthday to You
1957: Barry Beck
1966: Doug Houda
1983: Chris Thorburn
1990: Pavel Francouz
1991: Sami Vatanen
