Normally we’d be in the midst of starting up another hockey season now, but 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 November 25th, featuring Alex Ovechkin.
Today in Hockey History
Alex Ovechkin Gets Special Hat Trick
2017: The Washington Capitals captain gets his 20th career hat trick, but it is a special one. Ovechkin promises to score a goal for 13-year-old cancer patient Alex Luey. However, the Great 8 goes above and beyond in a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ovechkin’s three goals also placed him past New York Islanders great Mike Bossy on the all-time scoring list. The Russian is also the 16th player to get 20 hat tricks in his career.
Other Notable Events
1948: The Montreal Canadiens and the Leafs combine for a league-record 10 major penalties for a single game. Toronto goes on to win the game, 2-0.
1951: Chicago Black Hawks assistant trainer Moe Roberts fills in for an injured Harry Lumley in a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 46-year-old is the oldest to play in goal and doesn’t allow a goal.
1954: Detroit’s Terry Sawchuk gets his third straight shutout in a 2-0 win over the Maple Leafs. It’s the 51st shutout for the Red Wings netminder.
1981: The Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky gets his eighth career hat trick before his 21st birthday. He scores four goals in an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He records 10 hat tricks on the season, which is the most in a season.
1988: Washington and the Pittsburgh Penguins score all of their goals on special teams in a 5-3 Penguins victory. Pittsburgh gets four power-play markers and a shorthanded tally.
1992: Detroit scores double figures in consecutive games for the first time in franchise history. Dino Ciccarelli leads the scoring with two goals and two assists in an 11-6 win over the St. Louis Blues.
1997: Mark Messier returns to play the New York Rangers for the first time as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. He receives a video tribute and scores in the Canucks’ 4-2 victory.
2015: The Canadiens down the Rangers, 5-1, but lose goalie Carey Price for the rest of the season. He doesn’t come out for the third period and misses the rest of the season with a lower-body injury.
Happy Birthday to You
1902: Eddie Shore
1950: Bob Kelly
1955: Mike O’Connell
1962: Gilbert Delorme
1965: Jeff Norton
1971: Magnus Arvedson
1980: John-Michael Liles
1991: Philipp Grubauer
