Today in Hockey History: Montreal Canadiens Open Montreal Forum

Normally we’d be in the midst of starting up another hockey season now, 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 29th, featuring the first game at the Montreal Forum.

Today in Hockey History

Montreal Forum Opens

1924: The Montreal Canadiens open the vaunted arena with a 7-1 over the Toronto St. Patricks. Billy Boucher scores a hat trick, including a goal in the first 55 seconds.

The Habs ironically don’t play in the building except when they take on the rival Montreal Maroons. Les Habitants don’t move into the building full-time until 1926. Both clubs share the building until the Maroons cease operations in 1938. The Canadiens play at the Forum until March 1996.

Other Notable Events

1967: Scotty Bowman coaches the St. Louis Blues to a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The win is Bowman’s first behind the bench and stops a seven-game losing streak.

1968: Rookie goalie Tony Esposito makes his debut in Montreal’s 5-4 loss to the Oakland Seals after coming in for Rogie Vachon. Esposito is claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1969 intraleague draft and goes on to become the winningest goalie in their history.

1975: Boston Bruins defenceman Bobby Orr has his fifth knee surgery and doesn’t return until Oct. 1976. He signs with Chicago in the off-season, but is limited by those same knee issues.

1986: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ron Hextall is the first goalie in team history to get two assists in one game. He hands out a pair of helpers in a 6-5 win over the New York Islanders.

2003: Detroit Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios becomes the 11th blueliner to get 900 points. Chelios gets an assist in Detroit’s 2-1 win over St. Louis. He finishes with 948 points in 1,651 career games.

2005: Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery sets a record with his ninth straight win to open his career. He makes 27 saves to get his first career shutout in a 4-0 victory over Montreal.

2007: Vancouver Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo extends his personal shutout streak to a team-record 193:56. He makes 26 saves in a 2-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets to surpass Ken Lockett‘s 1975 mark.

2018: Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine becomes to fourth-youngest to 100 career goals. The Finnish winger gets two goals in a 6-5 victory over Chicago. Only Wayne Gretzky, Jimmy Carson and Brian Bellows reach the milestone faster.