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 November 1st, featuring Jacques Plante.
Today in Hockey History
Jacques Plate Wears The Mask
1959: The Montreal Canadiens goalie wears the famous mask in a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers. Plate is cut by a rising shot from the Rangers Andy Bathgate early in the first period. The Habs goalie returns wearing a fiberglass mask for this first time in a game.
Montreal coach Toe Blake isn’t a fan of the mask, but let’s Plante wear it because the goalie won’t go play without it. The protection catches on and everyone has one by 1973-74.
Other Notable Events
1924: The Boston Bruins become the first American team in the league. Boston and the Montreal Maroons join the league to grow the NHL to six.
1947: Detroit Red Wings coach Tommy Ivan forms the Production Line. Gordie Howe, Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay comprise the potent scoring line.
1975: Billy Reay of the Chicago Black Hawks becomes the second man to coach 1,000 career games. He reaches the milestone in a 3-1 victory over Detroit.
1981: Val James becomes the first American-born black player to play in the NHL. James plays in the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. He plays a total of seven games with Buffalo during the 1981-82 season. The Ocala, Fla. native suits up four more times in 1986-87 for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
1984: Mike Bossy nets four goals in the New York Islanders 6-5 overtime loss to the Canadiens. He extends his season-opening goal-scoring streak to 10 games. Bossy scores 17 goals during the 10-game streak.
1985: Buffalo rookie Daren Puppa is the 17th goalie to get a shutout in his debut in a 2-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Puppa makes 37 saves to beat the Stanley Cup champions.
1992: Mario Lemieux scores twice in the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 5-4 win at the Tampa Bay Lightning. Super Mario extends his team-high goal-scoring streak to 12 games, which comprised of 18 goals.
2006: Penguins rookie Evgeni Malkin is the first player since 1917-18 to get goals in his first six career games. Malkin scores the OT-winner in a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
2017: Joe Thornton is the 20th player to get 1,400 points in the San Jose Sharks 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators. Thornton assists on Joe Pavelski‘s second-period goal.
Happy Birthday To You
1932: Al Arbour
1948: Phil Myre
1955: Doug Halward
1969: Tie Domi
1972: Glen Murray
1983: Matt Moulson
1991: Tyler Pitlick
