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 24th featuring Mike Bossy.
Today in Hockey History
Mike Bossy Gets 50 Goals in 50 Games
1981: The New York Islanders forward matches Maurice Richard‘s mark of 50 goals in 50 games. Bossy scores twice late in the third period on a 7-4 victory over the Quebec Nordiques to get the mark. Wayne Gretzky would eclipse the mark the next season with 50 goals in 39 games.
Bossy would get another milestone five years later in a 7-5 win over the Washington Capitals. He gets a goal and two assists to get to 1,000 career points.
Other Notable Events
1937: Montreal Canadiens forward Howie Morenz scores what proves to be his final goal in 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Morenz pots his 271st career goal, but his career comes to an abrupt end after a leg injury four days later.
1960: Chicago’s Glenn Hall sets a record for most consecutive starts with his 328th in a 3-2 loss to Montreal. He matches the mark set by former Canadiens goalie Georges Vezina.
1988: Hartford Whalers defenceman Neil Sheehy becomes the first skater to wear the No. 0. He gets seven penalty minutes in a 2-1 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings.
2001: Pittsburgh Penguins centre Mario Lemieux gets his 40th career hat trick in a 3-1 win over Montreal. Lemieux passes Bossy on the all-time hat trick list in the victory at Mellon Arena.
2007: The NHL All-Star Game is played for the first in Dallas at American Airlines Center. East forward Daniel Briere wins the MVP award by scoring one goal and assisting on four others. However, the host Western Conference defeats the East, 12-9, and Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco gets the win.
2014: Nashville Predators Eric Nystrom has a career-high four goals in a 5-4 loss to the Calgary Flames. Nystrom’s big night comes against his former team, but Sean Monahan gets the game-winner in the shootout.
2018: Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander scores on a penalty shot six seconds into overtime. Nylander ties the mark held by Mats Sundin, David Legwand, Alex Ovechkin and Andreas Athanasiou. The Leafs win 3-2 over the Blackhawks at the United Center.
Happy Birthday to You
1905: Cy Wentworth
1925: Gus Mortson
1949: Guy Charron
1960: Mark Reeds
1979: Tom Kostopoulos
1991: Zack Kassian
