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 11th, featuring Toe Blake.
Today in Hockey History
Toe Blake Goes Out on Top with 11th Title
1968: The Montreal Canadiens coach rides off into the sunset with his 11th Stanley Cup. He guides the Habs to a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 4 of the Final. Defenceman J.C. Tremblay scores the game-winner at 11:40 of the third period to secure the crown. Blues goalie Glenn Hall is given the Conn Smythe despite being on the losing team.
Blake coached the Canadiens to eight titles in his 13 seasons as head coach. That’s on top of the three championships he won in 13 seasons as a player. The Hall of Fame coach retired with a record of 500 wins, 255 losses and 159 ties.
Other Notable Events
1971: Montreal great Jean Beliveau scores his final goal in the post-season in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. His 79th playoff goal helps the Habs win Game 4 of the Final.
1972: Boston Bruins defenceman Bobby Orr wins the Conn Smythe for the second time in three years. Orr scores the game-winner and sets up a pair of Wayne Cashman goals in Boston’s 3-0 win Game 6 of the Final against the New York Rangers.
1978: Peter McNab‘s five points lead Boston to a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 6 of the semi-finals.
1988: Mark Messier scores once and assists on three goals as the Edmonton Oilers win, 8-4, over the Detroit Red Wings. The victory seals another trip to the Stanley Cup Final after winning the Campbell Conference Final in five games.
1993: Gary Shuchuk scores 6:31 of the second overtime as the Los Angeles Kings beat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-3, in Game 5 of the Smythe Division Final.
1996: Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr each score three goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminate the Rangers with a 7-3 Game 5 win.
2013: Brooks Orpik scores his first goal in 106 regular season and playoff games at 7:49 of overtime. His first career post-season goal helps the Pens win 4-3 in Game 6 of the second round against the New York Islanders, eliminating New York.
2016: St. Louis downs the Dallas Stars, 6-1, in Game 7 of the Western Conference second round. Brian Elliott makes 31 saves in the win.
Happy Birthday to You
1915: Dutch Hiller
1950: Ulf Nilsson
1960: Colin Patterson
1974: Mike Rathje
1988: Brad Marchand
1992: Bryan Rust
