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 January 1st, featuring Sidney Crosby and the first Winter Classic.
We want to wish you a happy and safe New Year.
Today in Hockey History
Sidney Crosby Wins Winter Classic
2008: The Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres play the inaugural Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Colby Armstrong of the Penguins and Brian Campbell of the Sabres score the only goals in regulation. The large crowd is amazed by the snow-globe like setting.
It provides the atmosphere and Crosby beats Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller to seal a 2-1 shootout victory for Pittsburgh. The event becomes a New Year’s staple since then.
Other Notable Events
1943: The Chicago Black Hawks field a team of three brother for the first time in a 6-5 win over the New York Rangers. Max Bentley, Doug Bentley and Reggie Bentley all suit up for Chicago.
1961: Boston Bruins rookie Willie O’Ree scores his first goal in a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. O’Ree is the first black player in league history and gets what proves to be the game-winner.
1973: Bruins defenceman Bobby Orr gets a record six assists for a D-man in an 8-2 rout of the Vancouver Canucks. Orr breaks Babe Pratt‘s record and has since had it matched by Pat Stapleton.
1997: The Ottawa Senators snap an 0-22-2 mark against Boston with a 3-2 win for their first win over the B’s since entering the league in 1992.
2014: A crowd of 105,491 fans fills Michigan Stadium to see the Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Detroit Red Wings, 3-2. Tyler Bozak gets the game-tying goal and shootout winner in the 2014 Winter Classic.
2015: Troy Brouwer wins with 12.9 seconds left in regulation as the Washington Capitals win the 2015 Winter Classic over Chicago, 3-2. The game is held at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
2016: Montreal’s Paul Byron scores twice to beat Boston, 5-1, at the Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium.
2017: Toronto forward Auston Matthews wins the Centennial Classic with 1:20 left in overtime. He nets the winner to get a 5-4 win over Detroit at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.
2018: J.T. Miller scores an overtime power-play goal to give the Rangers a 3-2 win over the Sabres at Citi Filed.
2019: Boston’s Sean Kuraly scores midway through the third to give Boston a 4-2 win over Chicago at Notre Dame Stadium.
Happy Birthday to You
1893: Barney Stanley
1909: Doc Romnes
1916: Murray Armstrong
1948: Gerry Hart
1949: Phil Roberto
1958: Dave Silk
1985: Dave Hunter
1971: Bobby Holik
1975: Becky Kellar-Duke
1985: Jeff Carter
1987: Patric Hornqvist; Devin Setoguchi
1996: Jayce Hawryluk
1999: Urho Vaakanainen
