During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are 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 May 4th, featuring Keith Primeau.
Today in Hockey History
Keith Primeau Ends Game in Fifth Overtime
2000: The Philadelphia Flyers forward scores 12:01 into the fifth overtime as they beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-1. Primeau beats Ron Tugnutt on the 130th shot of the game to give the Flyers Game 4 of the Eastern semifinals. The veteran centre was dropped from the top line two days earlier.
Primeau’s goal ends the longest game in 64 years. The game finishes at 2:35 a.m., which is seven hours after it started. Philadelphia ends up winning the series and advancing to the Eastern Conference final in six games.
Other Notable Events
1969: The Montreal Canadiens sweep the St. Louis Blues in the second straight Stanley Cup Final. Montreal wins 2-1 in Game 4 and Serge Savard takes the Conn Smythe Trophy.
1972: Brad Park scores two goals and gets two assists in the New York Rangers 5-2 Game 3 win over the Boston Bruins. It’s the first win in the Final at Madison Square Garden since 1940.
1976: Reggie Leach ties Maurice Richard‘s record of a goal in eight straight playoff games. Leach and the Flyers beat the Bruins, 4-2, in Game 4 of the semifinals.
1991: Petr Klima scores a hat trick in 5:13 as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Minnesota North Stars, 7-2. It’s the first fastest postseason hat trick in Oilers history in the Game 2 win of the Campbell Conference Final.
1997: Mike Richter gets the Rangers playoff shutout record in a 2-0 win over the New Jersey Devils. Richter makes 32 saves in the 2-0 Game 2 win in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Mark Messier also passes Larry Robinson for the most postseason games played with 228.
2009: Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin each get a hat trick in the Washington Capitals 4-3 Game 2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern semifinals.
2011: Devin Setoguchi scores 9:21 into overtime as the San Jose Sharks beat the Detroit Red Wings, 4-3. His goal gives San Jose a win in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
2013: Mike Green‘s OT-goal lifts the Capitals past the Rangers, 1-0, in Game 2 of the first round. Green is the sixth defenceman to win a 1-0 game in overtime.
2018: Alex Tuch scores twice as the Vegas Golden Knights beat San Jose, 5-3, in Game 5 of the second round.
Happy Birthday to You
1939: Leon Rochefort
1944: Fred Stanfield
1973: Matthew Barnaby; John Madden
1983: Derek Roy
1986: Devan Dubnyk
1989: James van Riemsdyk
