{"id":72692,"date":"2020-04-06T09:40:09","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T13:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=72692"},"modified":"2020-04-06T08:10:54","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T12:10:54","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-toronto-maple-leafs-mats-sundin-becomes-top-swede","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/04\/06\/today-in-hockey-history-toronto-maple-leafs-mats-sundin-becomes-top-swede\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Toronto Maple Leafs Mats Sundin Becomes Top Swede"},"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 April 6th, featuring Mats Sundin<\/a><\/strong>.
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Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n

Mats Sundin Becomes Highest-Scoring Swedish Player<\/h3>\n

2002:<\/strong> The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> forward scores in a 2-2 tie with the Florida Panthers<\/a>. Sundin nets his 395th career goal to become the highest-scoring player for Sweden. He scores late in the second period to break the record held by Tomas Sandstrom<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sundin would continue playing until the end of the 2008-09 season where he finishes out with the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>. He’d end up with 564 goals at the end of his career, which is still the most of any player from that country.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n

1926: Clint Benedict<\/a><\/strong> helps the Montreal Maroons win their first Stanley Cup. Montreal would beat the Victoria Cougars of the WHL, 2-0, in the final series involving an non-NHL team.<\/p>\n

1945: Frank McCool<\/a><\/strong> of the Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> Harry Lumley<\/a><\/strong> are the first rookie goalies to face each other in the final. Toronto would win Game 1, 1-0, in the first of three straight shutouts by McCool.<\/p>\n

1969: Johnny Bower<\/a><\/strong> at 44 years, four months and 28 days is the oldest goalie to play in a postseason game. The Maple Leafs would lose, 3-2, to the Boston Bruins<\/a> at Maple Leaf Gardens.<\/p>\n

1974: Denis Potvin<\/a><\/strong> of the New York Islanders<\/a> gets a goal and three assists to set the rookie record in goals, assists and points for a defenceman. The Isles would beat the Minnesota North Stars<\/a>, 4-2, as Potvin would win the Calder Trophy.<\/p>\n

1980:<\/strong> The great Gordie Howe<\/a><\/strong> would score in his final NHL game with the Hartford Whalers<\/a> in a 5-3 win over the Red Wings. It would be the 801st NHL goal and would be the most until Wayne Gretzky<\/a><\/strong> would break the record.<\/p>\n

1986: <\/strong>Gretzky wins the Art Ross<\/a> Trophy for the six straight year with his 163rd assist of the season. The Edmonton Oilers<\/a> centre would break his own record for points with 215 in a 3-2 win over the Canucks.<\/p>\n

2003:<\/strong> The Colorado Avalanche<\/a> win their ninth straight division title in a 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2019:<\/strong> The Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> tie the single-season record for wins with 62 in a 6-3 win over Boston. Tampa ties the 1995-96 Detroit squad for victories in a season.<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n

1965: Gerald Diduck<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1970: Olaf Kolzig<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1973: Tyler Wright<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1975: Hal Gill<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1982: Travis Moen<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1985: Clarke MacArthur<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1997: Pavel Zacha<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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