Hockey is going strong, but we at Last Word on Hockey are still 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 September 27, featuring Paul Henderson and his iconic goal.
Today in Hockey History
Paul Henderson Lifts Team Canada
1972: The Toronto Maple Leafs forward scores with 34 seconds left to help Team Canada win the Summit Series. His goal off Phil Esposito shot helps the Canadians beat the USSR, 6-5, in Game 8. Canada rallies from a 5-3 deficit on goals by Yvan Cournoyer and Esposito.
The games was heading for a second tie to make the series 3-3-2, but the Soviets were ready to claim victory. Henderson’s goal sealed a third straight win for Canada in Russia. The series announces the Soviets as a force in international hockey.
Other Notable Events
1926: The New York Rangers obtain Frank Boucher from Vancouver of the Western Hockey League. Boucher helps the Rangers win Stanley Cups in 1928 and 1933 as one of their first stars. He also wins the Lady Byng Trophy so often (seven times in a span of eight years) that Lady Byng, the donor of the trophy, gives him the original and donates a new one.
1929: The league allows forward passing in all three zones to boost offence. Teams weren’t allowed to make forward passes in the offensive zone prior to the rule change.
1935: The St. Louis Eagles request permission to suspend operations to work out their finances after just one season. However, NHL officials reject the plan and buy the franchise. A dispersal draft is held and the league shrinks to eight teams. St. Louis was the former Ottawa Senators franchise.
1942: Madison Square Garden declines to extend the lease of the Brooklyn Americans franchise at the semi-annual league meeting in Toronto. Brooklyn suspends operations, but hopes to return again. However, the bid to move the team is denied in 1946 and the franchise folds. The Americans were sharing MSG with the Rangers.
1979: The Minnesota North Stars sign forward Dino Ciccarelli to a contract. He’s a free agent that goes undrafted after breaking his leg with the London Knights of the OMJHL. The Sarnia, Ontario native bounces back with 50 goals and 103 points in the 1979-80 season. He sets an NHL rookie record for playoff-scoring with 14 goals in 19 games in 1981. Ciccarelli finishes with 1,200 points (608 goals, 592 assists) and becomes a Hall of Famer in 2010.
Happy Birthday to You
1911: Syd Howe
1948: Barry Gibbs
1955: Don Edwards
1956: Bob Miller
1961: Steve Kasper
1962: Grant Fuhr
1973: Brian Rafalski
1982: Ray Emery; Dustin Penner
