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 December 10th, featuring Johnny Bower.
Today in Hockey History
Johnny Bower Plays Final Game
1969: The Toronto Maple Leafs goalie plays his final game of the his career at 45 years old. It’s the only start of the 1969-70 for Bower in a 6-3 loss to the rival Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum.
He finishes with an NHL record of 250-192 with 90 ties. This includes a 219-157-71 mark with the Maple Leafs and he enters the Hall of Fame in 1975. Bower was successful as a top goalie in the league despite having poor eyesight.
Other Notable Events
1931: Montreal goalie George Hainsworth passes Alec Connell as the league’s all-time shutout leaders. Hainsworth gets his 64th shutout in a 3-0 win over the New York Americans on his way to 94 for his career. Pit Lepine scores all three Canadiens’ goals for his fourth NHL hat trick.
1970: The Boston Bruins pepper Buffalo Sabres goalie Joe Daley with 72 shots in an 8-2 win. Johnny Bucyk gets two goals and four assists for the Bruins as they score six in the third period.
1986: Edmonton Oilers great Wayne Gretzky gets his 40th career hat trick in a 7-4 win at the Winnipeg Jets. Gretzky gets 1,900 points exactly three years later in the Los Angeles Kings 8-4 win over the Quebec Nordiques.
1992: The NHL grants expansion teams to Miami and Anaheim to start play in 1993-94. The NHL moves up to 26 teams with the addition of the Florida Panthers and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Nordiques forward Mats Sundin extends his team-best point-streak to 30 games in a 5-4 win over the Kings. Sundin gets 21 goals and 46 points during the run.
1997: Phoenix Coyotes defenceman Michel Petit becomes the first player to get a point with 10 different teams. He gets an assist in 3-3 tie with the Chicago Blackhawks.
2016: Colorado Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla plays his 1,500 game in the Avs’ 10-1 loss to the Canadiens.
2018: Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos gets his first hat trick in four years in a 6-3 win over the New York Rangers.
2019: Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry sets the team’s shutout streak at 177 minutes, 15 seconds. However, Tomas Tatar powers Montreal to a 4-1 win after ending the streak.
Happy Birthday to You
1918: Anatoli Tarasov
1963: Chris Kontos
1969: Rob Blake
1981: Rene Bourque
