Normally we’d be in the closing in on the mid-way point of the regular season, however, 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 29th, featuring the United States winning an outdoor game at 2018 World Juniors.
Today in Hockey History
United States Wins Outdoor Game at 2018 World Juniors
2017: Kieffer Bellows and Brady Tkachuk scored in the shootout as the Americans beat Canada, 4-3. The game was played at a snowy New Era Field in Buffalo in the first outdoor game at the World Juniors.
Scott Perunovich and Tkachuk scored third-period goals to key the rally for the United States. Future Buffalo Sabres player Casey Mittelstadt handed out three assists, but Canada wins the gold medal.
Other Notable Events
1945: Montreal Canadiens great Maurice Richard scores twice en route to getting his 100th career goal in a 5-4 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Richard reaches the mark in an astonishing 145 games.
1955: NHL officials were stripes for the first time in a 5-2 Montreal win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Richard also scores his milestone 500th goal to become the first NHLer to do so.
1957: Lefty Wilson is pressed into service for the Boston Bruins after goalie Don Simmons dislocates his shoulder. Wilson is the assistant trainer for the Detroit Red Wings and makes 23 saves in a 2-2 tie.
1984: Edmonton Oilers centre Wayne Gretzky gets three goals for his 32nd career hat trick. Gretzky also reaches the 100 points in 35 games in a 6-3 win over Detroit.
1988: Toronto’s Ed Olczyk and Gary Leeman scored goals just four seconds apart to tie the fastest two goals scored in a game. The Leafs defeat the Quebec Nordiques, 6-5.
1992: The Philadelphia Flyers net 10 unanswered goals in a 10-2 drubbing of the Los Angeles Kings. Rod Brind’Amour collects his first NHL hat trick while Brent Fedyk gets two goals and two assists.
1995: Scotty Bowman coaches his record 1,607th game behind the bench in Detroit’s 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars. Bowman passes Al Arbour to move to 939-428-240.
1996: Dale Hawerchuk of the Flyers becomes the 10th player to reach 1,400 points. He gets a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
2014: St. Louis Blues goalie Martin Brodeur makes 16 saves for his 125th and final shutout in a 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Happy Birthday to You
1902: Nels Stewart
1952: Tom Bladon
1972: Andreas Dackell
1976: Filip Kuba
1979: George Parros
1986: Derek Ryan
