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 23rd, featuring Mark Messier.
Today in Hockey History
Mark Messier Nets Goal 600
1998: The Vancouver Canucks forward gets the milestone goal in a 5-0 win over the Florida Panthers. His goal comes 12:58 into the third period after he takes a pass from Alexander Mogilny. The shot beats former Canucks goalie Kirk McLean.
Messier is the 10th player to get 600 goals and the fourth with 600 goals and 900 assists. The St. Albert, Alberta native plays in Vancouver until the 1999–2000 season. He returns to the New York Rangers in 2000 and plays there until he retires after 2003-04.
Other Notable Events
1965: Chicago Black Hawks forward Bobby Hull scores an opening-night hat trick in a 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hull goes on to score a record-setting 54 goals en route to the first 50-plus goal season.
1966: Boston Bruins defenceman Bobby Orr scores his first career goal in a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Orr’s 50-foot shot beats future Hall of Famer Gump Worsley for his first tally.
1971: Guy Lafleur scores his first career goal in Montreal’s 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Lafleur is credited with the game-winner that beats Gary Edwards in the second period.
1974: Washington Capitals goalie Michel Belhumeur stops two penalty shots in a 3-2 loss to Chicago. Belhumeur stops attempts by Jim Pappin and Stan Mikita.
1983: Rookie Rich Sutter scores in the Philadelphia Flyers 8-5 victory over the Maple Leafs. He becomes the sixth brother from the Sutter family to score, which is a record.
Exactly 25 years later, Brandon Sutter scores in the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
1993: Mark Osborne scores twice as Toronto sets a record for its ninth straight win to start a season. Felix Potvin stops 25 shots in the Leafs’ 2-0 shutout of the Tampa Bay Lighting.
2014: Minnesota Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper gets his third shutout in four games in a 2-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Kuemper is the second goalie since 1943-44 to get three shutouts in four to start a season.
2016: Cam Talbot makes 31 saves as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Winnipeg Jets, 3-0, in the Heritage Classic at Investors Group Field.
Happy Birthday to You
1913: Gordie Drillon
1920: Jim Henry
1925: Fred Shero
1986: Matt D’Agostini
