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 January 7th, featuring Jordan Binnington.
Today in Hockey History
Jordan Binnington Starts for Blues
2019: The St. Louis Blues give the start to the young rookie in a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Binnington stops all 25 shots to get his first NHL shutout, which starts a revival for the team.
The Blues were in last place at the start of the new year, but they turned it around won their first Stanley Cup. St. Louis beat the Boston Bruins in seven games to cap the turnaround.
Other Notable Events
1928: Montreal Canadiens forward Howie Morenz gets a hat trick in a 9-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Morenz gets to 100 goals on his first tally as the Habs allow two or fewer goals for their 20th straight game.
1968: Chicago Black Hawks forward Bobby Hull is the first player in team history to get 400 goals. He reaches the milestone in a 4-2 win over Boston.
1976: The New York Rangers hire John Ferguson as head coach and general manager. Ferguson is selected for both jobs after coach Ron Stewart and GM Emile Francis are dismissed.
1980: The Flyers see their record 35-game unbeaten streak end in a 7-1 loss to the Minnesota North Stars. Philadelphia had gone 25-0 with 10 ties to eclipse Montreal’s 28-game run in 1977-78.
1981: Los Angeles Kings forward Marcel Dionne scores twice to become the 14th player to get 1,000 career points. Dionne helps L.A. beat the Hartford Whalers, 7-4, to get the mark in his 740th career game. That is the fastest any player gets to the milestone, but has been passed.
1984: Edmonton Oilers centre Wayne Gretzky scores three times in a 5-3 victory over Hartford. Gretzky becomes the first player to get 50 goals in five straight seasons.
1987: Al Secord scores four goals in 8:24 in Chicago’s 6-4 win over Toronto. Rookie Mark LaVarre gets four assists for the Blackhawks.
1999: The Kings Luc Robitaille scores twice as to become the 27th player to get to 500 goals. His goals power the Kings to a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
2004: Phoenix Coyotes Brian Boucher is the first goalie in 55 years to get four straight shutouts. He makes 27 saves in a 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals.
Happy Birthday to You
1903: Hooley Smith
1916: Babe Pratt
1947: Bill Fairbairn
1956: Mike Liut
1966: Randy Burridge
1967; Guy Hebert
1972: Donald Brashear
1977: Brent Sopel
1992: Erik Gudbranson
2000: Noah Dobson
