{"id":73581,"date":"2020-04-21T09:30:23","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T13:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=73581"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:18:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:18:49","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-bill-barilko-wins-stanley-cup-for-toronto-maple-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/04\/21\/today-in-hockey-history-bill-barilko-wins-stanley-cup-for-toronto-maple-leafs\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Bill Barilko Wins Stanley Cup for Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"monti-placeholder-e61dbd3d-3da1-cfef-f538-2f820a360c15 _2DccdTEQQ8j73Lvrp7cV6r\"><\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During the NHL\u2019s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date\u2019s historical <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">significance<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to the game. We\u2019ll <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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 21st, featuring <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/barilbi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bill Barilko<\/a><\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n<h3>Bill Barilko Wins the Leafs the Cup<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1951:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> defenceman scores 2:53 into overtime to give his team a 3-2 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canadiens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. Barilko&#8217;s goal helped Toronto win Game 5 and the club&#8217;s ninth Stanley Cup. It was a lifelong dream for the big defender to play for the Leafs.<\/p>\n<p>His life would tragically end when his plane went down on a fishing trip in the off-season. The wreckage is not found until 1962, which is the next time Toronto wins the title. The crash is immortalized in the Tragically Hip song &#8220;50 Mission Cap.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3>Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1974: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bucykjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johnny Bucyk<\/a><\/strong> scores a record three power-play goals as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/bruins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Boston Bruins<\/a> beat the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/blackhawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago Blackhawks.<\/a> Boston would win Game 2 of the semifinals, 8-6.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1980: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/oreilte01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terry O&#8217;Reilly<\/a><\/strong> scores the game-tying and game-winning goals in Boston&#8217;s 4-3 OT win. O&#8217;Reilly helps the Bruins win Game 4 and avoid a sweep to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/islanders\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Islanders<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1998: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gretzwa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wayne Gretzky<\/a><\/strong>&#8216;s shorthanded goal powers the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/oilers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a> to a 5-4 OT win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/flames\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calgary Flames<\/a>. The Great One scores 7:54 into overtime to win Game 2 of the Smythe final.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1996:<\/strong> The<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/lightning\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> draw a playoff record 25,945 in their first playoff game at the Thunderdome. Tampa beats the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/flyers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>, 5-4, to take Game 3.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1999: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/y\/yzermst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steve Yzerman<\/a><\/strong> sets a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/red-wings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a> record for playoff hat tricks with four. He&#8217;d guide the Red Wings to a 5-3 Game 1 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/ducks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mighty Ducks of Anaheim<\/a> in Game 1 of the first round.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2000: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/forsbpe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Peter Forsberg<\/a><\/strong> helps the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/avalanche\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a> beat the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/coyotes\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phoenix Coyotes,<\/a> 2-1, to win the series in five games. It&#8217;s the 10th straight series loss for the Jets\/Coyotes franchise.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2008:<\/strong> Brothers <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kostian01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrei Kostitsyn<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kostise01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sergei Kostitsyn<\/a><\/strong> are the first siblings to score in a Game 7 as the Canadiens beat the Bruins in the Eastern quarterfinals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2014: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuempda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Darcy Kuemper<\/a><\/strong> makes 22 saves in his first post-season start in the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/wild\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Minnesota Wild<\/a>&#8216;s 1-0 win over Colorado in Game 3.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2015: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/seabrbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brent Seabrook<\/a><\/strong> scores 1:00 into the third overtime as the Blackhawks edge the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/predators\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nashville Predators<\/a> 3-2 in Game 5 of the Western first round.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2018: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kucheni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikita Kucherov<\/a><\/strong> caps a 10-point series as the Lightning clinch their first-round series against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/devils\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New Jersey Devils<\/a>. The Russian would get five goals in five games as Tampa takes the decider, 3-1.<\/p>\n<h3>Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1936: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/flemire01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reggie Fleming<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1951: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vickest01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steve Vickers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1960: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/goulemi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michel Goulet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1965: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/belfoed01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ed Belfour<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1980: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lecavvi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vincent Lecavalier<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1986: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/edleral01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alexander Edler<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2018\/08\/53121391-612x612.jpg\" alt=\"Bill Barilko Toronto Maple Leafs\" width=\"612\" height=\"490\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During the NHL\u2019s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date\u2019s historical significance to the game. We\u2019ll 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 21st, featuring Bill Barilko. Today [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":33694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18,8245,6331],"tags":[3587,1758,872,2187,3534,2116,1090,583,2316,399,2347],"class_list":["post-73581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leafs","category-history","category-today-in-hockey-history","tag-bill-barilko","tag-brent-seabrook","tag-darcy-kuemper","tag-ed-belfour","tag-hockey-history","tag-johnny-bucyk","tag-michel-goulet","tag-nikita-kucherov","tag-peter-forsberg","tag-steve-yzerman","tag-vincent-lecavalier"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73581"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":479012,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73581\/revisions\/479012"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}