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 December 4th, featuring Gordie Howe.
Today in Hockey History
Gordie Howe Gets No. 700
1968: The Detroit Red Wings forward becomes the lone member of the 700 club with a first-period goal in a 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. It comes two days after getting No. 699 against the St. Louis Blues. Howe joked that his first career goal in 1946 was a bigger thrill.
Mr. Hockey finishes his career with 801 NHL goals and 174 goals in the World Hockey Association in six seasons. He retires with the Hartford Whalers at the end of the 1979-80 season.
Other Notable Events
1909: The oldest NHL club, the Montreal Canadiens, are founded. J. Ambrose O’Brien creates the Club de Hockey Canadien and they go 2-10 in their first season.
1938: Detroit goalie Tiny Thompson gets his 75th career shutout in a 1-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Thompson does this two days after being acquired from the Boston Bruins and he’s the first goalie to 75 shutouts. Frank Brimsek, Thompson’s replacement, gets his first shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks.
1943: Montreal’s Bill Durnan extends his NHL record for the longest unbeaten streak by a rookie goalie from the start of his career to 12-0-2. He holds the record until Patrick Lalime breaks it in 1996-97 with the Penguins.
1963: The Bruins Andy Hebenton plays his NHL-record 581st consecutive game, which breaks Johnny Wilson‘s record. Hebenton plays in 630 consecutive games during nine seasons.
1988: Edmonton Oilers forward Jimmy Carson becomes the third player to get six hat tricks before the age of 21. Carson scores three goals and has an assist in Edmonton’s 10-6 win over the New York Rangers. The Rangers’ Guy Lafleur hands out four assists in the loss.
1995: Mark Messier of the Rangers gets his 1,400 point with a goal and two assists in a 5-1 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Messier is the seventh player to reach the milestone.
2017: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is the first to 20 goals in the 2017-18 season with a goal in the 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He moves past Mark Recchi for 20th on the all-time goal-scoring list.
Happy Birthday to You
1890: Jack Darragh
1932: Alex Delvecchio
1943: Gary Sabourin
1953: Rick Middleton; Dennis Polonich
1955: Dave Taylor
1972: Jassen Cullimore
1997: Luke Kunin
