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 18th, featuring Jacques Lemaire.
Today in Hockey History
Jacques Lemaire Coaches Game No. 1,000
2007: The Minnesota Wild coach leads his team to a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota rallies from two goals down in the third period to win the game. Lemaire becomes the first person to coach 1,000 games after playing in 800 as a player.
The former Hockey Hall of Famer as player won the Stanley Cup as a coach in 1995 with the New Jersey Devils. He has a record of 617-458-63 with 124 ties.
Other Notable Events
1926: A total of four shutouts took place in the 10-team league. Montreal Canadiens goalie George Hainsworth blanks the Toronto St. Pats, 2-0. Doc Stewart of the Boston Bruins shutout the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-0. Alex Connell of the Ottawa Senators and Clint Benedict of the Montreal Maroons battle to a scoreless tie.
1928: Hainsworth gets his record fifth straight shutout in a 5-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Howie Morenz gets two goals and an assist in the victory
1952: Canadiens rookie Jean Beliveau gets his first NHL hat trick in a 6-2 win over the New York Rangers. Bernie Geoffrion also scores three goals for his second career hat trick.
1955: Detroit Red Wings goalie Glenn Hall makes 26 saves as they beat the Canadiens, 2-0. It’s the third consecutive shutout for Hall and the Red Wings.
1965: A trio of hat tricks highlights the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-4 victory over the Rangers. Toronto gets three goals each from Dave Keon and Bob Pulford while the Rangers get one from Earl Ingarfield.
1977: Ken Dryden makes 22 saves as Montreal starts a 28-game undefeated streak with a 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Canadiens go 23-0 with five ties before losing late in February.
1983: Edmonton Oilers great Wayne Gretzky gets his 100th point in just 34 games. He gets two goals and two assists in a 7-5 victory over the Winnipeg Jets en route to 205 points.
2016: John Tortorella becomes the first American-born coach to get 500 coaching victories. Seth Jones scores 46 seconds into overtime to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Happy Birthday to You
1945; Jean Pronovost
1960: Bob Brooke
1967: Bob Corkum
1978: Dan Cleary
1984: Brian Boyle
1990: Victor Hedman
1993: Charlie Lindgren
1997: Alex DeBrincat
