{"id":71336,"date":"2020-03-18T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T13:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=71336"},"modified":"2020-03-18T01:23:23","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T05:23:23","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-montreal-canadiens-maurice-richard-first-to-score-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/03\/18\/today-in-hockey-history-montreal-canadiens-maurice-richard-first-to-score-50\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Montreal Canadiens Maurice Richard First to Score 50"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the NHL\u2019s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date\u2019s historical <\/span>significance<\/span> to the game. We\u2019ll <\/span>remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here\u2019s our look at this date in hockey history for March 17th, featuring<\/span> Maurice Richard<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n

Maurice Richard<\/a> Rockets to 50 in Season<\/h3>\n

1945:<\/strong> The Rocket is the first to score 50 goals in a season after getting the tying goal in the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins<\/a>. Richard scored off a pass from Elmer Lach<\/a><\/strong> to beat Bruins’ goalie Harvey Bennett<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Montreal great would assist on the game-winner by Toe Blake<\/a><\/strong>. Richard is the first to get 50 goals in a 50-game season. There wouldn’t be another 50-goal scorer until Bernie Geoffrion<\/a><\/strong> did it in 1961<\/a>. Mike Bossy<\/a><\/strong> of the New York Islanders<\/a> would be the next to get 50 in 50 in 1980-81.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n

1892:<\/strong> Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley proposes the creation of what would be the Stanley Cup. The Cup would be handed out for the first time the next year.<\/p>\n

1944:<\/strong> Montreal becomes the first team to go unbeaten at home with an 11-2 rout of the New York Rangers<\/a>. The Habs go 22-0-3 (ties) at the Forum and go onto win the Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n

1956:<\/strong> The Canadiens set the single-season win record with 45 after a 3-1 win over the Rangers. Montreal eclipses the record set by the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> of 44 in 1950-51. Bert Olmstead<\/a><\/strong> sets a record for most assists by a left-wing with 56.<\/p>\n

1971:<\/strong> Buffalo Sabres<\/a> forward Gilbert Perreault<\/a><\/strong> sets the rookie record for goals with 35 in a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues<\/a>. He passes Nels Stewart<\/a><\/strong> of the Montreal Maroons, Danny Grant<\/a><\/strong> of the Minnesota North Stars<\/a> and Norm Ferguson<\/a><\/strong> of the Oakland Seals.<\/p>\n

1973:<\/strong> Bobby Orr<\/a><\/strong> of the Bruins gets his 600th career point in his 461st game. The B’s would down the Atlanta Flames<\/a>, 7-1, in the game.<\/p>\n

1987:<\/strong> Mario Lemieux<\/a><\/strong> of the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> gets a goal and two assists as they beat the Blues, 5-4. Super Mario is the fourth player to get 100 points or more in his first three seasons.<\/p>\n

1996:<\/strong> Wayne Gretzky<\/a><\/strong> gets his 1,000th career goal (NHL and WHA) as the Blues beat the Los Angeles Kings,<\/a> 3-1. Only Gordie Howe<\/a><\/strong> has also reached that feat.<\/p>\n

2000: Ray Bourque<\/a><\/strong> of the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> is the first defenceman to score 400 career goals as the Avs fall 4-3 to the Red Wings.<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n

1938: Bob Nevin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1948: Guy Lapointe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1960: Guy Carbonneau<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1975: Kimmo Timonen<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1977: Zdeno Chara<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1986: Cory Schneider<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n