Hockey is going strong, but we at Last Word on Hockey are still 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 September 16, featuring the 1991 Canada Cup.<\/p>\n
1991:<\/strong> Team Canada takes its fourth Canada Cup in five tournaments. The hosts beat their southern neighbours, 4-2, in Game 2 of the best-of-three series. Both teams dominated round-robin play to reach the final and win their semifinal matchups.<\/p>\n Steve Larmer<\/a><\/strong> breaks a 2-2 tie in the third period and Dirk Graham<\/a><\/strong> adds an empty-net goal for Canada. Bill Ranford<\/a><\/strong> goes 6-0 in goal and earns tournament MVP honours. Canada wins despite not having leading-scorer Wayne Gretzky<\/a><\/strong>. He’s out because of a hit into the boards by American defenceman Gary Suter<\/a><\/strong> in Game 1. The World Cup of Hockey replaces the Canada Cup in 1996.<\/p>\n 1916: “One Eyed” Frank McGee<\/strong> dies in action on the Somme battlefield in World War I for Canada. McGee was a critical part of the 1905 Ottawa Silver Seven team that dominated from 1903 to 1905.<\/p>\n 1978:<\/strong> Gretzky takes part in his first professional camp with the WHA’s Indianapolis Racers. He plays eight games with Indianapolis, but he’s sold to the Edmonton Oilers<\/a>. Edmonton gets absorbed into the NHL, but they manage to keep Gretzky.<\/p>\n 1979:<\/strong> The Oilers hold their first NHL camp as a member of the league with Gretzky included at the University of Alberta. Edmonton makes the playoffs as it finishes fourth in the Smythe Division. However, the Oilers got swept by the mighty Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> in the first round.<\/p>\n 1996: Borje Salming<\/a><\/span>, Al Arbour<\/a><\/strong> and Bobby Bauer<\/a><\/span><\/strong> are the latest entrants into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Salming was a standout on defence for the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> while Arbour coached the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cups. Bauer starred for the Boston Bruins<\/a> in the 1930s and 1940s. Announcer Bob Cole also earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.<\/span><\/p>\n 1998:<\/strong> Former Quebec Nordiques<\/a> teammates Peter Stastny<\/a><\/strong> and Michel Goulet<\/a><\/strong> <\/span>are part of the Hall of Fame class of 1998. Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> star Roy Conacher<\/a><\/strong> is also part of the group.<\/p>\n 1934: Gerry Melnyk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 1953: Eric Vail<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 1961: Rick Lanz<\/a>; Kevin LaVallee<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 1980: Patrik Stefan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 1989: Braden Holtby<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nOther Notable Events<\/h3>\n
Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n