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 27th, featuring Mario Lemieux.
Today in Hockey History
Mario Lemieux Returns
2000: The Pittsburgh Penguins legend returns after a three-plus year hiatus to recover from various ailments. Lemieux healed from injuries and the aftereffects of cancer. His return is a memorable one as he gets an assist on his very first shift.
He gets another goal1979 and an assist in a 5-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lemieux permanently retires in the middle of the 2005-06 season after serving as a player/owner for the club.
Other Notable Events
1897: The Montreal Victorias routed the Ottawa Capitals, 15-2, in a Challenge Cup game. It was slated to be a best-of-three series, but Montreal’s dominance canceled the other two games.
1952: Detroit Red Wings goalie Glenn Hall makes his NHL debut in a 2-2 tie with the Montreal Canadiens. Hall extends Detroit’s unbeaten streak to seven wins and seven ties.
1979: The Red Wings christen the Joe Louis Arena with a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Brian Sutter of the Blues scores the first goal at the arena while Dennis Sobchuck gets the first Wings’ tally. Bernie Federko gets a goal and an assist to cap the Blues rally.
Los Angeles Kings winger Charlie Simmer extends his goal-scoring streak to 13 straight games with a pair against the Quebec Nordiques. It’s Simmer’s 33rd and 34th goals of the season.
1981: Edmonton Oilers star Wayne Gretzky gets his 100th point in just the 38th game of the season. Gretzky gets four goals an an assist in a 10-3 victory over the Kings.
1990: Edmonton earns its 500th NHL victory in just 915 games with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. The Oilers go 500-295 with 120 ties in that span since coming in from the WHA.
1999: Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic earns his 1,000th point in a 5-1 victory over the Blues. Sakic gets an assist to become the 14th player to get 1,000 points with one club.
2016: Sergei Bobrovsky makes 37 saves as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Boston Bruins, 4-3. The victory gives the Jackets their franchise-best 13th consecutive victory.
Happy Birthday to You
1947: Mickey Redmond
1971: Bryan Smolinski
1974: Jay Pandolfo
1976: Fernando Pisani
1981: Patrick Sharp
1985: Paul Stastny
1990: Jonathan Marchessault
