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 27th, featuring Gordie Howe.
Today in Hockey History
Gordie Howe Ties for All-Time Goals Lead
1963: The Detroit Red Wings great ties Maurice Richard for the all-time lead in goals. Howe’s power-play goal in the third period gives him his 544th career goal. Mr. Hockey beats Gump Worsley in a 6-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Howe becomes the first player over the age of 40 to get points in his first five games to start a season five years later. He scores two goals and gets an assist in a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Other Notable Events
1973: New York Islanders rookie defenceman Denis Potvin scores his first two career NHL goals in a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. He retires with the most goals by a defenceman in 1988 with 310.
1988: Quebec Nordiques rookie Joe Sakic scores to become the first rookie to get points in his first 11 games. However, Quebec loses 6-2 to the Boston Bruins.
1995: Detroit makes history by having five Russian players on the ice as a unit for the first time in the NHL. Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman puts together Viacheslav Fetisov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Igor Larionov, Sergei Fedorov and Vyacheslav Kozlov as a group. Detroit blanks the Calgary Flames, 3-0, on the road. The Russian Five all played for the Soviet Red Army and become fan favourites.
1998: The Buffalo Sabres become the fourth team to shutout the same opponent four straight times. Dominik Hasek makes 16 saves in a 0-0 tie with the Rangers. Mike Richter makes 24 saves as the teams go 0-for-11 on the power play.
2000: Marc Denis makes 32 saves and the Columbus Blue Jackets win their first home game, 3-1, over the Washington Capitals.
2005: Detroit’s Manny Legace is the first goalie to get 10 wins in October. He makes 21 saves in a 5-2 victory over Chicago.
2014: The Rangers score five goals in the third period as they rally past the Minnesota Wild, 5-4. It’s only the second time in franchise history the Rangers have overturned an 0-3 hole to start the third.
2017: Oscar Dansk makes 32 saves as the Vegas Golden Knights get their first shutout in team history. Vegas routs the Colorado Avalanche, 7-0.
Happy Birthday to You
1885: Hugh Lehman
1958: Brian MacLellan
1965: Paul Broten
1966: Brad Lauer
1971: Mike Ricci
1978: Sergei Samsonov
1992: Brandon Saad
1994: Rasmus Ristolainen
1995: Leon Draisaitl
