{"id":98010,"date":"2021-01-15T09:30:57","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T14:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=98010"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:18:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:18:26","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-blackhawks-tony-esposito-gets-final-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/01\/15\/today-in-hockey-history-blackhawks-tony-esposito-gets-final-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Chicago Blackhawks Tony Esposito Gets Final Win"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hockey is finally back! <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Normally we\u2019d be closing in on the mid-way point of the regular season, however, we\u2019re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is 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 January 15th, featuring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/esposto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tony Esposito<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n<h3>Tony Esposito Gets Final Win, Shutout<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1984:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/blackhawks\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>&#8216; goalie makes 35 saves to get<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/03\/26\/today-in-hockey-history-chicago-blackhawks-tony-esposito-wins-30-game-again\/\" target=\"_self\"> his final win and shutout<\/a> with a 2-0 victory over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/penguins\/\" target=\"_self\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>. It&#8217;s his first shutout since March 27, 1983 for his 76th of his career. Esposito gets his 423rd win, which is the most in franchise history.<\/p>\n<p>He gets 418 of the victories and 74 of the shutouts with the Blackhawks, who selected him from the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/canadiens\/\" target=\"_self\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a> in the 1969 intra-league draft.<\/p>\n<h3>Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1966:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/redwings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>&#8216; great <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/howego01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gordie Howe<\/a> becomes the first player to get 1,400 points in league history. He assists on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gadsbbi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bill Gadsby<\/a>&#8216;s goal in a 4-4 tie with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/rangers\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Rangers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1970:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/bruins\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a>&#8216; defenceman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/orrbo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bobby Orr<\/a> gets two assists in a 6-3 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/kings\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a> to get 51 for the season. Orr sets the record for most assists for a blueliner that was held by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/staplpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pat Stapleton<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><b>1979:<\/b> <span id=\"token-43F6279DDE32534099680\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/y\/youngti01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tim Young<\/a><\/span> <span id=\"token-DF8E2B4EF3BAA247C2D85\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\">scores five goals<\/span> and has an assist to power the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/stars\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota North Stars<\/a> to an 8-1 win against the Rangers. It&#8217;s Young&#8217;s first career hat trick.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1986:<\/strong> Montreal goalie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/roypa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Roy<\/a> gets his first career shutout in a 4-0 win over the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/coyotes\/\" target=\"_self\"> Winnipeg Jets<\/a>. The rookie stops 19 shots for the first of his 66 shutouts as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=richest02,richest01&amp;search=Stephane+Richer&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephane Richer<\/a> scores twice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1987:<\/strong> Bruins&#8217; defenceman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/larsore01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reed Larson<\/a> scores twice to become the first American to score 200 goals. He scores a pair of power-play goals in a 6-4 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/hurricanes\/\" target=\"_self\">Hartford Whalers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1990:<\/strong> Family dinners become awkward as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/capitals\/\" target=\"_self\">Washington Capitals<\/a> fire Bryan Murray as the team&#8217;s head coach. The Caps hire <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/murrate01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terry Murray<\/a>, who was coaching the team&#8217;s AHL affiliate in Baltimore.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2015:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dubnyde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devan Dubnyk<\/a> makes his <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/wild\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Wild<\/a> debut a memorable one with a 7-0 shutout over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/sabres\/\" target=\"_self\">Buffalo Sabres<\/a>. He came over from the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/coyotes\/\" target=\"_self\">Arizona Coyotes<\/a> in a trade a day earlier.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2016:<\/strong> Chicago&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kanepa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Kane<\/a> gets his first regular-season hat trick in a 4-1 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>. Kane had two post-season hat tricks for Chicago in 2009 and 2013.<\/p>\n<p><b>2019: <\/b>The Rangers extend their home winning streak against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/hurricanes\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> to 16 games with a <span id=\"token-945B4770C53F191813FAF\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\">6-2 victory<\/span> at Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n<h3>Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1958: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/huberwi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Willie Huber<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1969: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/burtad01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Adam Burt<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1976: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/korolal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alexander Korolyuk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1996: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/applema01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mason Appleton<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1999: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/necasma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Necas<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"ocQ2tX_TTPVZevu1FkTajw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/163657166\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ocQ2tX_TTPVZevu1FkTajw',sig:'4t_w2-v2cVJDVB5Ynr8scjWHC795P7W376pLWsuavxM=',w:'594px',h:'404px',items:'163657166',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hockey is finally back! Normally we\u2019d be closing in on the mid-way point of the regular season, however, we\u2019re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":98012,"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":[27,8245,4547,4548,6331],"tags":[2118,2343,246,241,757,3534,944,3651,299,2185,2193,4763],"class_list":["post-98010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blackhawks","category-history","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-today-in-hockey-history","tag-bobby-orr","tag-bryan-murray","tag-chicago-blackhawks","tag-devan-dubnyk","tag-gordie-howe","tag-hockey-history","tag-martin-necas","tag-mason-appleton","tag-patrick-kane","tag-patrick-roy","tag-reed-larson","tag-tony-esposito"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98010","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=98010"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":478880,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98010\/revisions\/478880"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}