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 3rd, featuringAl Arbour.
Today in Hockey History
Al Arbour Coaches Final Time
2007: The longtime New York Islanders bench boss coaches for the final time after coming out of retirement. Arbour returns for a last game at the behest of then coach Ted Nolan. It’s the 1,500th game behind the bench for Arbour.
Miroslav Satan scores twice as the Isles rally to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-2, at Nassau Coliseum. Arbour is the coach of the Islanders four straight Stanley Cup victories in the early 1980s. Al Arbour retires with 739 coaching victories with New York.
Other Notable Events
1948: Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings makes his first of a record 23 All-Star Game appearances. The league All-Stars beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-1, at Chicago Stadium.
1951: Maurice Richard of the Montreal Canadiens scores his 300th ad 301st career goals in a 3-2 loss to Detroit. Richard is the second player to get 300 career goals after Nels Stewart.
1974: Johnny Bucyk of the Boston Bruins becomes the highest-scoring left winger in league history. He gets two assists in a 10-1 victory over the Minnesota North Stars to pass Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks.
1987: The New York Rangers Marcel Dionne is the second player to get to 1,700 career points. He gets a goal in a 5-3 loss to the Calgary Flames.
1990: Linesman Wayne Bonney takes part in a personal doubleheader. Bonney officiates an afternoon game between the Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. He then fills in for an injured Gerard Gauthier for the Buffalo Sabres versus Bruins game later that night.
1998: Pittsburgh extends its own record with its 12th consecutive power-play goal. Maxim Galanov scores on the first of seven extra-man chances for the Penguins. The Pens can’t cash in on their other six power-play opportunities in a 4-4 tie with the Flyers.
2002: Mark Messier plays his 1,616th NHL game to move past Larry Murphy for the second-most games played. Messier scores in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
2011: Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne celebrates his birthday by signing his seven-year, $49 million contract and getting a 3-0 shutout over the Phoenix Coyotes. Rinne stops 35 shots in the victory.
Happy Birthday to You
1932: Gerry Ehman
1969: Jim McKenzie
1982: Pekka Rinne
