We’re normally starting up another hockey season, but we’re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is 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 October 22nd, featuring Paul Coffey.
Today in Hockey History
Paul Coffey Gets First NHL Goal
1980: The Edmonton Oilers rookie gets his first goal in a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames. Coffey gets just nine goals, but he picks up the scoring in his career. The Weston, Ontario native scores 48 in the 1985-86 season en route to one of his three Norris Trophies.
Coffey would finish with 396 goals, which is second for goals by a defenceman behind Ray Bourque. The four-time Stanley Cup champion enters the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.
Other Notable Events
1953: Dick Irvin is the first coach to get 600 career coaching victories. Irvin gets the milestone victory in the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He would finish with a record of 691-527-230.
1957: Chicago’s Bobby Hull scores his first career NHL goal in his team’s 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Hull would finish with 610 career goals.
1974: The Philadelphia Flyers begin their 32-game unbeaten streak against the Los Angeles Kings. Philadelphia gets a 4-2 win over the Kings at the Great Western Forum and goes 27-0-5. The Kings finally get a win in a 5-4 victory on Feb. 13, 1983 in Philly.
1986: Mario Lemieux‘s two goals help the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-4 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Lemieux gets to the 100-goal mark in his third season as he helps Pittsburgh start its season with seven straight wins. “Super Mario” gets his 28th career hat trick exactly six years later. His five-point night leads the Penguins to a 9-6 win over the Detroit Red Wings.
1999: Calgary goalie Grant Fuhr is the fourth goalie to win 400 games in a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.
2002: Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy ties Terry Sawchuk with his 971st appearance. Roy would finish with a then-record 1,029 appearance.
Cliff Ronning‘s overtime goal helps the Minnesota Wild to a 4-3 win over the Flames. It’s the first overtime win in 18 tries for Minnesota since March 2001.
2018: Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado both extend their season-opening point streak to nine games in a 4-1 win over the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
Happy Birthday to You
1949: Butch Goring
1954: Ron Sedlbauer
1967: Ron Tugnutt
1968: Stephane Quintal; Terry Yake
1972: Scott Lachance
1974: Miroslav Satan
1980: Matt Pettinger; David Savard
