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 13th, featuring Alec Martinez.
Today in Hockey History
Alec Martinez Clinches Stanley Cup in Double OT
2014: The Los Angeles Kings defenceman tallies 14:43 in the second overtime to give them a 3-2 win in Game 5. Martinez beats New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist off of a rebound from a Tyler Toffoli shot. It’s second straight series-clinching goal by Martinez as he beat the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Final.
Justin Williams wins the Conn Smythe for playoff MVP with nine goals and 25 points. Williams scored the first goal of the game to earn his seventh point of the final. The Stanley Cup is the second one the Kings have taken in the last three seasons.
Other Notable Events
1977: Johnny Watson is hired as the new coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He becomes the first person to coach four different teams.
1978: The merger between the Minnesota North Stars and Cleveland Barons is approved by the league.
1986: Jacques Demers is named the new Detroit Red Wings head coach.
1987: The Buffalo Sabres select Pierre Turgeon with the top pick of the NHL Draft. Turgeon becomes the youngest player taken first overall at 17 years and 269 days. Future Hall of Famers Brendan Shanahan and Joe Sakic get drafted.
1995: The New Jersey Devils clinch their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in team history. New Jersey beats the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final. The Devils came into the league in 1974 as the Kansas City Scouts.
1998: Sergei Fedorov breaks a one-all tie as the Red Wings beat the Washington Capitals, 3-1, in Game 3. Tomas Holmstrom ties a team playoff-record with his 24th point.
2002: Shanahan scores twice as Detroit beats the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-1, in Game 5. The victory gives the Wings its third Stanley Cup in five seasons.
2011: Mark Recchi gets three assists as the Boston Bruins down the Vancouver Canucks, 5-2, in Game 6. Boston scores four times in a span of 4:14 to break the game open.
2015: Antoine Vermette scores the winner two minutes into the third period as Chicago beats the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1. Corey Crawford stops 31 shots, including 26 in the last two periods, to win Game 5.
Happy Birthday to You
1948: Ace Bailey
1949: J.P. Bordeleau
1960: Doug Crossman
1974: Valeri Bure
1981: Radim Vrbata
1983: Jason Spezza
1989: Ryan McDonagh
