Hockey is back! Normally we’d be closing in on the NHL trade deadline for the final push of the 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 February 24th, featuring Wayne Gretzky.
Today in Hockey History
Wayne Gretzky Gets Most Goals in One Season
1982: The Great One breaks Phil Esposito‘s single-season mark for the most goals with his 77th. Gretzky tallies past Don Edwards while Esposito was on hand at the Memorial Auditorium. The Oilers centre completes a hat trick to seal a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
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Gretzky goes on goes on to score a league-record 92 goals to close out the 1981-82 season. He finishes with 212 points as well.
Other Notable Events
1938: New York Rangers coach Lester Patrick becomes the first coach to get 250 career NHL wins. The Rangers top the Chicago Blackhawks, 6-3, at Madison Square Garden.
1968: Rangers forward Rod Gilbert sets a record with 16 shots and scores on four of them in a 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Boston Bruins defenceman Ray Bourque breaks the record with 19 on March 21, 1991.
1978: Colorado Rockies defenceman Barry Beck sets the rookie record for most goals by a defenceman with 18. He surpasses Denis Potvin‘s record of 17 in a 3-2 win over the Minnesota North Stars.
1980: The United States completes its improbable run to an Olympic gold with a 4-2 win over Finland at Lake Placid. Rob McClanahan and Mark Johnson each score for the Americans first gold in 20 years since Squaw Valley, Calif.
Gretzky becomes the first player to get 100 points before his 20th birthday. He gets an assist in a 4-2 loss to Boston.
1993: Detroit Red Wings centre Steve Yzerman hands out three assists to get to 1,000 career points in a 10-7 loss in Buffalo. Yzerman also reaches 100 points for the sixth straight season.
1994: Mark Messier reaches 1,300 career points in a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. He gets a pair of assists as the Blueshirts sweep the season series.
2002: Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla each score twice as the Team Canada spoils Team USA’s shot at another gold in front of their home fans. It’s the Canadians first Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1952 in the 5-2 win in Salt Lake City.
2013: Chicago extends its season-starting point streak to 18 games (15-0-3) with a 1-0 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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Happy Birthday to You
1932: Murray Costello
1963: Mike Vernon
1971: Brian Savage
1972: Manon Rhéaume
1973: Alex Kovalev
1986: Wojtek Wolski
1993: Phillip Danault
1995: Tyler Bertuzzi
