Hockey is finally back! Normally we’d be 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 16th, featuring Alex Ovechkin.
Today in Hockey History
Alex Ovechkin Scores Spectacular Goal
2006: The Washington Capitals rookie winger get one of the best individual goals in a 6-1 win over the Phoenix Coyotes. It comes at 11:54 of the third period when he races into the Phoenix zone and is dragged down by Coyotes defenseman Paul Mara.
Ovechkin slides on his back in the left circle, he reaches out one-handed and hooks the puck past goalie Brian Boucher. The Russian says it the best goal that he’s ever scored.
Other Notable Events
1934: Ken Doraty of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets the only overtime hat trick in league history. He gets the winning margin in a 7-4 win over the Ottawa Senators. Overtime is a mandatory 10-minute period before the sudden-death format adopted when it’s restored in 1983.
1960: Detroit Red Wings great Gordie Howe passes rival Maurice Richard for the most points all-time. His two points give Howe 947 points in 888 games. Howe finishes with 1,850 points when he plays his final game in April 6, 1980.
1966: Chicago Blackhawks Bobby Hull scores four goals for the second time in the 1965-66 season. He nets four for his 17th hat trick and 300th goal with the Blackhawks. However, Chicago falls 6-5 to the New York Rangers.
1968: Toronto defeats the NHL All-Stars, 4-3, at Maple Leaf Gardens. It’s the last All-Star Game between the Stanley Cup champions and the All-Stars.
1990: New York Islanders goalie Glenn Healy make 51 saves in a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. It’s the second most saves in a shutout after Jacques Plante‘s 52-save effort in Nov. 1955.
1996: Pittsburgh Penguins centre Mario Lemieux gets 100 points for the ninth time in his career. He scores his 40th goal to reach the mark, but the Colorado Avalanche win 5-2.
2004: Detroit captain Steve Yzerman gets an assist for his 1,700 point in a 3-3 tie with Phoenix. He finishes his career in 2006 with 1,755 points, all scored while a member of the Red Wings.
2018: Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist becomes the first goalie to win 20 games in 13 straight seasons. He makes 25 saves in a 5-1 over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Happy Birthday to You
1906: John Sorrell
1938: Lou Angotti
1966: Stephen Leach
1979: Brenden Morrow
1991: Matt Duchene
1992: Jason Zucker
