Normally we’d be in the closing in on the mid-way point of the regular season, however, 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 22nd, featuring Jaromir Jagr.
Today in Hockey History
Jaromir Jagr Becomes Second in Points
2016: The Florida Panthers forward passes Mark Messier for second on the all-time points list after an assist in a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. Jagr gets a helper on Aleksander Barkov‘s goal for the Panthers. The 44-year-old forward is only behind Wayne Gretzky on the all-time points list.
Jagr finishes his NHL career (for now) with 1,921 after a short stint with the Calgary Flames. However, he is still playing in his home country of the Czech Republic.
Other Notable Events
1974: Phil Esposito of the Bruins becomes the sixth player to get 500 goals in a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Esposito reaches the milestone when he scores twice to join Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Maurice Richard, Frank Mahovlich and Jean Beliveau.
1979: The Philadelphia Flyers extend their record unbeaten streak to 29 games with a 5-2 win over the Bruins (20 wins, nine ties). Philadelphia passes the previous mark of 28 games without a loss set by the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens. The streak ends at 35 games when they lose to the Minnesota North Stars on Jan. 7, 1980.
1990: Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Paul Coffey becomes the second blueliner to get 1,000 points in a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. Coffey assists on a second-period goal by Kevin Stevens.
1993: Dean Evason scores the first shorthanded goal in overtime since the five-minute overtime debuted in 1983. His goal helps the Dallas Stars beat the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
1996: St. Louis Blues forward Brett Hull joins his father, Bobby Hull, in the 500-goal club in a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Brett scores three goals to become the 24th player to get to 500 goals. The hat trick comes exactly 25 years after Bobby gets his final NHL hat trick.
2002: Carolina Hurricanes centre Ron Francis joins Wayne Gretzky as the only players to get 1,200 career assist. Francis assists on Jeff O’Neill‘s goal in a 1-0 win over the Stars.
2018: Ilya Kovalchuk helps the Los Angeles Kings win their 4,000th regular-season game with a 3-2 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks.
Happy Birthday to You
1953: Ian Turnbull
1954: Ron Greschner; Stefan Persson
1959: Paul Fenton
1972: Kirk Maltby
