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 June 2nd, featuring Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
Today in Hockey History
Jean-Sebastien Giguere Gets Another OT Playoff Win
2003: The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim goalie is the first to win his first seven overtime games. Giguere makes 26 saves in the 1-0 win in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the New Jersey Devils. Steve Thomas scores 39 seconds into the extra session to give Anaheim the win.
Giguere and the Mighty Ducks would end up losing the Final in seven games. However, he would be the fifth player from a losing team to win the Conn Smythe for playoff MVP. He’s the last player to accomplish that feat.
Other Notable Events
1948: The NHL decides to turn the Art Ross Trophy into a scoring championship instead of most outstanding player. Elmer Lach is the first winner of the award with 61 points.
1972: The new Atlanta hockey team is given the name Flames. It comes from Mickey Goodman, a 19-year-old college student at DeKalb University. The team moves to Alberta to become the Calgary Flames in 1980.
2000: Wayne Gretzky is named Managing Director of Hockey Operations of the Phoenix Coyotes. Gretzky has 10-percent stake in the team and would later become the team’s coach.
New Jersey beats the Colorado Avalanche, 3-2, in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Devils limit the Avalanche to 12 shots in the victory.
2008: Petr Sykora scores 9:57 into the third overtime to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings, 4-3. It’s the fifth-longest game in a Stanley Cup Final as the Penguins take Game 5.
2012: Jeff Carter scores 13:42 into overtime as the Los Angeles Kings beat New Jersey, 2-1, in Game 2. It’s the Kings second straight OT win to take a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final.
2013: The Chicago Blackhawks score the first four goals to beat Los Angeles, 4-2, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.
2018: Braden Holtby makes 21 saves in the Washington Capitals 3-1 Game 3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s the first home Stanley Cup Final win since the team entered the league in 1974.
Happy Birthday to You
1941: Lou Nanne
1951: Larry Robinson
1952: Gary Bettman
1959: Charlie Huddy
1965: Russ Courtnall; Adam Creighton
1970: Marty McInnis
1983: Chris Higgins
1988: Patrik Berglund
