WILD GAME NOTES (4/17, 3-2 loss to Avalanche)
G Niklas Backstrom made 14 saves for Minnesota in suffering his third loss of the postseason.
RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard's first period power-play goal marked the Wild's first goal in the opening 40 minutes of any game in this series. The Wild has been outscored 10-0 in the first two periods, including LW Andrew Brunette's goal at 12:24 of the first, and hadn't scored a goal on it's first 50 first period shots of the series. Bouchard netted his second goal of the series and third of his post-season career. He scored the game-winner in overtime in Game 3.
LW Brian Rolston's goal at 19:57 of the final stanza marked the fifth consecutive playoff game that the Wild has scored in the third period. It marked Rolston's second goal of the postseason and, combined with his assist on Bouchard's second period goal, gives him a team-leading six points i the postseason (2-4=6)
C James Sheppard earned the first point in his playoff career with an assist on Rolston's goal.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, when a best-of-seven NHL post-season series is tied 2-2, the Game 5 victor has gone on to win the seres 158 of 196 times (80.6 percent). Minnesota is a combined 6-2 in games five, six and seven.
The Wild has twice won a series when trailing 3-2. The Wild is the lone team in NHL history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in back-to-back playoff series - against Colorado and Vancouver in 2003. Minnesota is 7-2 all-time in elimination games.
Colorado has won games 4 and 5 by a combined 8-3 margin.
Before the Avs tallied a pair of third period goals tonight, the Wild had a 7-2 third-period advantage in the series, and a 9-3 bulge counting overtime. The Wild has led for 4:31 of the 324:23 played in the series - 1.4 percent of the time played.
The Wild fell to 4-9 all-time in home playoff games. A victory tonight would have marked Minnesota's first set of back-to-back victories at home in franchise history.
Minnesota has allowed the game's first goal in nine straight playoff games, dating back to Game 1 of the 2007 Western Conference Quarterfinals versus Anaheim - the last time the Wild scored first.
Wild D Erik Reitz made his NHL playoff debut.
Minnesota's 40 shots toed a team record for a playoff game last accomplished on April 17, 2007, in a 4-1 win over Anaheim in Game 4 of the conference quarterfinals. The Wild's 17 first-period shots were a team playoff record. The old mark of 16 was set May 14, 2003, inthe first period of a 4-0 loss at Anaheim in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
OSSY TO START GAME 5 FOR WINGS
Mike Babcock's plan to abandon his goalie rotation in the Stanley Cup playoffs was short-lived.
Dominik Hasek, who started Detroit's first four games of a Western Conference quarter-final against Nashville, was told by the Red Wings coach on Thursday he would be sitting for Game 5.
Instead, Chris Osgood will get the call at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit after stopping all 13 shots he faced in relief of Hasek in a 3-2 loss Wednesday in Nashville.
The Predators beat Hasek three times on 14 shots in Game 4 to even the first-round series at two games apiece.
Osgood appeared in 43 regular-season games and Hasek in 41, but Babcock had planned only to play the six-time Vezina Trophy winner in the post-season.
Both goaltenders have plenty of playoff experience. Osgood was in net when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1998, with Hasek a starter for Detroit's championship team four years later.
Todays NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(8) Nashville @ (1) Detroit--Game 5--630pm--Versus (series tied 2-2)
-(5) NY Rangers @ (4) New Jersey--Game 5--630pm (Rangers lead series 3-1)
-(5) Dallas @ (4) Anaheim--Game 5--930pm--Versus (Stars lead series 3-1)
Friday, April 18, 2008
Today in MLB History April 18th
1899: John McGraw, only 26, made his managerial debut with the Orioles. He led them to a 5-3 victory over the New York Giants, a team he would later manage for more than 30 years.
1923: The debut of Yankee Stadium is a huge success with an announced attendance of 74,217. Bob Shawkey, aided by Babe Ruth's three-run home run, beats Howard Ehmke and the Red Sox 4-1.....At South Field on Columbia’s campus in New York City, a collegian hurler strikes out seventeen batters to establish a school record, but loses the game due to wildness to Williams, 5-1. The young southpaw’s, whose name is Lou Gehrig, will become better known for his hitting,
1925: Charles Ebbets, Dodgers president, dies on the morning of the opener at Ebbets Field, won by New York 7-1. No N.L. games will be played on the April 21, the day of his funeral. Ed McKeever, the new club president, will catch a cold that turns into pneumonia and die on May 27.
1942: Due to the fear of a Japanese attack, west coast military leaders ask the Pacific Coast League to limit crowds to 3,000 fans.
1945: In his major league debut, one-armed outfielder Pete Gray got one hit in four at-bats in the St. Louis Browns' 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
1946: Jackie Robinson debuts as second baseman for the Montreal Royals (International League) and is the first recognized black to play in organized ball this century. A home run and three singles against Jersey City start off the season in which he will win the IL batting championship at .349.
1947: Dodger scout Burt Shotton is the surprise choice to replace Leo Durocher on the third day of the season. Taken to the stadium in a taxi, Shotton manages the club from the dugout in street clothes, a la Connie Mack.
1950: Sam Jethroe becomes the first black to play for the Boston Braves. He has two hits in his major league debut, including a home run. He will go on to become N.L. Rookie of the Year.....The first opening-night game was held in St. Louis. The Cardinals, behind a complete game byGerry Staley and home runs from Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2.
1951: Mickey Mantle goes 1-for-4 in his first game as Yankee southpaw Ed Lopat two-hits the Red Sox, winning 6-1.
1958: Following a downtown parade in the morning, the Giants-Dodgers game in Los Angeles sets an N.L. single-game record with 78,682 fans in attendance, as the Dodgers prevail 6-5. Hank Sauer hits two home runs for the Giants, including the first at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After he scores what would have been the tying run in the ninth, Giants infielder Jim Davenport is called out for falling to touch third base.
1964: Sandy Koufax fans the side on nine pitches in the third inning, becoming the first pitcher to do it twice, but Cincinnati wins 3-0.
1965: California Angels rookie Rudy May has a no-hitter ruined in the eighth inning of his major league debut by Jake Wood's double. The Angels lift him after nine innings of one-hit ball, and Detroit wins in 13 innings.
1981: Reds pitcher Tom Seaver strikes out Keith Hernandez in the fourth inning of a 10-4 loss to the Cardinals, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to register 3,000 career strikeouts.
1982: The Atlanta Braves defeated the Astros 6-5 in Houston to set a National League record as they won their 11th straight game to start the season.
1986: Despite allowing no hits (and only three fair balls hit) with ten strikeouts in five innings, Texas rookie Bobby Witt is lifted in a game in Milwaukee. Why? Witt walks eight, and throws four wild pitches, allowing two runs. Texas rallies for three runs in the ninth to win 7-5.
1987: Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run, a three-run shot off Pittsburgh's Don Robinson in the top of the ninth inning, to give the Phillies an 8-6 win. Schmidt is the 15th major league player to reach 500 home runs.
1991: New Comiskey Park opens with fanfare and a rout. The Tigers are the stars of the day as Detroit mauls the White Sox 16-0.
2000: During the Angel's 16-10 victory over the Blue Jays, a SkyDome promotion becomes a bit too frank as fans get hit with bits of hot dogs when the wieners fall apart after being shot from the 'Hot Dog Blaster'. Undaunted by the fall out, promoters continue to propel the missiles even though the hot dogs repeatedly splatter the onlookers.
1923: The debut of Yankee Stadium is a huge success with an announced attendance of 74,217. Bob Shawkey, aided by Babe Ruth's three-run home run, beats Howard Ehmke and the Red Sox 4-1.....At South Field on Columbia’s campus in New York City, a collegian hurler strikes out seventeen batters to establish a school record, but loses the game due to wildness to Williams, 5-1. The young southpaw’s, whose name is Lou Gehrig, will become better known for his hitting,
1925: Charles Ebbets, Dodgers president, dies on the morning of the opener at Ebbets Field, won by New York 7-1. No N.L. games will be played on the April 21, the day of his funeral. Ed McKeever, the new club president, will catch a cold that turns into pneumonia and die on May 27.
1942: Due to the fear of a Japanese attack, west coast military leaders ask the Pacific Coast League to limit crowds to 3,000 fans.
1945: In his major league debut, one-armed outfielder Pete Gray got one hit in four at-bats in the St. Louis Browns' 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
1946: Jackie Robinson debuts as second baseman for the Montreal Royals (International League) and is the first recognized black to play in organized ball this century. A home run and three singles against Jersey City start off the season in which he will win the IL batting championship at .349.
1947: Dodger scout Burt Shotton is the surprise choice to replace Leo Durocher on the third day of the season. Taken to the stadium in a taxi, Shotton manages the club from the dugout in street clothes, a la Connie Mack.
1950: Sam Jethroe becomes the first black to play for the Boston Braves. He has two hits in his major league debut, including a home run. He will go on to become N.L. Rookie of the Year.....The first opening-night game was held in St. Louis. The Cardinals, behind a complete game byGerry Staley and home runs from Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2.
1951: Mickey Mantle goes 1-for-4 in his first game as Yankee southpaw Ed Lopat two-hits the Red Sox, winning 6-1.
1958: Following a downtown parade in the morning, the Giants-Dodgers game in Los Angeles sets an N.L. single-game record with 78,682 fans in attendance, as the Dodgers prevail 6-5. Hank Sauer hits two home runs for the Giants, including the first at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After he scores what would have been the tying run in the ninth, Giants infielder Jim Davenport is called out for falling to touch third base.
1964: Sandy Koufax fans the side on nine pitches in the third inning, becoming the first pitcher to do it twice, but Cincinnati wins 3-0.
1965: California Angels rookie Rudy May has a no-hitter ruined in the eighth inning of his major league debut by Jake Wood's double. The Angels lift him after nine innings of one-hit ball, and Detroit wins in 13 innings.
1981: Reds pitcher Tom Seaver strikes out Keith Hernandez in the fourth inning of a 10-4 loss to the Cardinals, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to register 3,000 career strikeouts.
1982: The Atlanta Braves defeated the Astros 6-5 in Houston to set a National League record as they won their 11th straight game to start the season.
1986: Despite allowing no hits (and only three fair balls hit) with ten strikeouts in five innings, Texas rookie Bobby Witt is lifted in a game in Milwaukee. Why? Witt walks eight, and throws four wild pitches, allowing two runs. Texas rallies for three runs in the ninth to win 7-5.
1987: Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run, a three-run shot off Pittsburgh's Don Robinson in the top of the ninth inning, to give the Phillies an 8-6 win. Schmidt is the 15th major league player to reach 500 home runs.
1991: New Comiskey Park opens with fanfare and a rout. The Tigers are the stars of the day as Detroit mauls the White Sox 16-0.
2000: During the Angel's 16-10 victory over the Blue Jays, a SkyDome promotion becomes a bit too frank as fans get hit with bits of hot dogs when the wieners fall apart after being shot from the 'Hot Dog Blaster'. Undaunted by the fall out, promoters continue to propel the missiles even though the hot dogs repeatedly splatter the onlookers.
Today in NHL History April 18th
1942: The Toronto Maple Leafs completed the greatest comeback in Stanley Cup history with their fourth straight victory after losing the first three games of the Final to the Detroit Red Wings. Leafs goaltender Turk Broda provided the heroics, allowing the Red Wings only seven goals in the last four games, including this 3-1 series-ending victory.
1959: Montreal Canadiens left winger Marcel Bonin scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal at 9:55 of the second period en route to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six. This victory ended the series and gave Montreal the fourth of its record five straight Stanley Cup titles.
1963: In Game Five of the 1963 Final, Toronto Maple Leafs center Dave Keon scored two shorthanded goals against the Detroit Red Wings, setting a single-game playoff record. Keon’s heroics led Toronto to a 3-1 Cup-winning triumph over Detroit. It marked the second of three straight Stanley Cups for the Leafs.
1968: Milan Marcetta scored two goals and two assists and Dave Balon had a goal and three assists in the Minnesota North Stars' 9-4 playoff win against the Kings, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals, in Los Angeles.....St. Louis Blues beat the Flyers 3-1 in the seventh (and final) game of their Quarter-Final series -- the first playoff series win in St. Louis' first NHL season. The Blues advanced to the finals, where they lost to Montreal.
1972: Rod Gilbert scored twice in the final period to lead the Rangers to a 5-3 win at Chicago, in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals.
1987: Pat LaFontaine scored the dramatic game-winning goal at 8:42 of the fourth overtime period in Game Seven of the Patrick Division Semifinal versus Washington. Islanders' goalie Kelly Hrudey made 73 saves for the victory.
1992: Larry Robinson tied Gordie Howe's all time record for most years in the playoffs when he appeared for the 20th year, in the Kings' 3-1 loss to Edmonton. He also extended his own NHL record for consecutive playoff appearances.
1993: Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-3 over the Devils at the Civic Arena to tie an NHL record with their 12th consecutive playoff victory. The record was set in 1984-85 by the Edmonton Oilers. Mario Lemieux scored two goals and two assists.....Defenseman Darryl Sydor scored 16 seconds into the game, and Jimmy Carson added two goals to give the Kings a 6-1 win at Calgary, in Game 1 of the Smythe Division Semi-Finals.
1994: The San Jose Sharks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in Game One of their Western Conference Quarter-final series to become the first club since the 1975 New York Islanders to win the first Stanley Cup playoff game in franchise history. Since the Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 on April 8, 1975, seven clubs had lost their playoff debuts prior to San Jose’s win.....The New York Rangers posted their second consecutive 6-0 shutout to open the Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Islanders. The Rangers became the first club to open the postseason with consecutive shutouts since the Buffalo Sabres defeated Montreal 1-0 and 3-0 in 1983.....Vancouver goalie Kirk McLean recorded the first of his four 1994 playoff shutout (and the third of his playoff career) as the Canucks won 5-0 at Calgary, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.
1996: Brian Bellows scored the winning goal at 9:05 of overtime as the Lightning won 2-1, at Philadelphia in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals, for Tampa Bay's first all-time playoff victory.
1997: Red Wings' Larry Murphy became the first defenseman to score playoff goals for 5 different NHL teams, as Detroit won 2-1 over the visiting St. Louis Blues, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.....Boston Bruins fired head coach Steve Kasper, one week after the Bruins' 1996-97 season ended, after the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 1967. He was later replaced by Pat Burns.
1998: Peter Bondra scored his 50th goal of the season for the second time in his career (the fourth NHL player to reach 50 goals in 1997-98) in the Capitals 4-3 win against the Hurricanes, in North Carolina.
1999: Wayne Gretzky got his final point (2,847) of his NHL career on an assist when the Rangers lost 2-1 in overtime against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, in the Rangers' final game of the season.
2001: Kings capped a comeback from a 3-goal deficit with 3 goals in the final 6:02 of the game. Then rookie Eric Belanger's OT goal at 2:36 won it, as Los Angeles beat the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-3, in Game 4 of the West. Conference Quarter-Finals.....Colorado's Patrick Roy became the first goaltender in NHL history to play in 200 playoff games, and picked up his 125th playoff victory as the Avalanche won 5-1 against the Canucks, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals, in Vancouver.
1959: Montreal Canadiens left winger Marcel Bonin scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal at 9:55 of the second period en route to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six. This victory ended the series and gave Montreal the fourth of its record five straight Stanley Cup titles.
1963: In Game Five of the 1963 Final, Toronto Maple Leafs center Dave Keon scored two shorthanded goals against the Detroit Red Wings, setting a single-game playoff record. Keon’s heroics led Toronto to a 3-1 Cup-winning triumph over Detroit. It marked the second of three straight Stanley Cups for the Leafs.
1968: Milan Marcetta scored two goals and two assists and Dave Balon had a goal and three assists in the Minnesota North Stars' 9-4 playoff win against the Kings, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals, in Los Angeles.....St. Louis Blues beat the Flyers 3-1 in the seventh (and final) game of their Quarter-Final series -- the first playoff series win in St. Louis' first NHL season. The Blues advanced to the finals, where they lost to Montreal.
1972: Rod Gilbert scored twice in the final period to lead the Rangers to a 5-3 win at Chicago, in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals.
1987: Pat LaFontaine scored the dramatic game-winning goal at 8:42 of the fourth overtime period in Game Seven of the Patrick Division Semifinal versus Washington. Islanders' goalie Kelly Hrudey made 73 saves for the victory.
1992: Larry Robinson tied Gordie Howe's all time record for most years in the playoffs when he appeared for the 20th year, in the Kings' 3-1 loss to Edmonton. He also extended his own NHL record for consecutive playoff appearances.
1993: Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-3 over the Devils at the Civic Arena to tie an NHL record with their 12th consecutive playoff victory. The record was set in 1984-85 by the Edmonton Oilers. Mario Lemieux scored two goals and two assists.....Defenseman Darryl Sydor scored 16 seconds into the game, and Jimmy Carson added two goals to give the Kings a 6-1 win at Calgary, in Game 1 of the Smythe Division Semi-Finals.
1994: The San Jose Sharks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in Game One of their Western Conference Quarter-final series to become the first club since the 1975 New York Islanders to win the first Stanley Cup playoff game in franchise history. Since the Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 on April 8, 1975, seven clubs had lost their playoff debuts prior to San Jose’s win.....The New York Rangers posted their second consecutive 6-0 shutout to open the Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Islanders. The Rangers became the first club to open the postseason with consecutive shutouts since the Buffalo Sabres defeated Montreal 1-0 and 3-0 in 1983.....Vancouver goalie Kirk McLean recorded the first of his four 1994 playoff shutout (and the third of his playoff career) as the Canucks won 5-0 at Calgary, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.
1996: Brian Bellows scored the winning goal at 9:05 of overtime as the Lightning won 2-1, at Philadelphia in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals, for Tampa Bay's first all-time playoff victory.
1997: Red Wings' Larry Murphy became the first defenseman to score playoff goals for 5 different NHL teams, as Detroit won 2-1 over the visiting St. Louis Blues, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.....Boston Bruins fired head coach Steve Kasper, one week after the Bruins' 1996-97 season ended, after the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 1967. He was later replaced by Pat Burns.
1998: Peter Bondra scored his 50th goal of the season for the second time in his career (the fourth NHL player to reach 50 goals in 1997-98) in the Capitals 4-3 win against the Hurricanes, in North Carolina.
1999: Wayne Gretzky got his final point (2,847) of his NHL career on an assist when the Rangers lost 2-1 in overtime against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, in the Rangers' final game of the season.
2001: Kings capped a comeback from a 3-goal deficit with 3 goals in the final 6:02 of the game. Then rookie Eric Belanger's OT goal at 2:36 won it, as Los Angeles beat the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-3, in Game 4 of the West. Conference Quarter-Finals.....Colorado's Patrick Roy became the first goaltender in NHL history to play in 200 playoff games, and picked up his 125th playoff victory as the Avalanche won 5-1 against the Canucks, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals, in Vancouver.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
April 17th
BRYAN MURRAY WILL BE BACK NEXT SEASON
During the second intermission of Ottawa's 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on home ice Wednesday night -- a result that completed the Pens four-game sweep of the Senators in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals -- Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk told CBC that general manager and head coach Bryan Murray would be at the helm for Ottawa in the 2008-09 NHL season.
Murray has doubled as Ottawa's head coach since firing John Paddock in late February, and it was his willingness to do double duty that convinced Melnyk to bring Murray back for another seasaon.
"Bryan stepped up to the plate," Melnyk told CBC. "That's the way you gotta look at it. There had to be a change made, and I came to Bryan and asked him if he wanted to take it on both jobs.
"He's a stand-up guy with tremendous experience, and he stepped in. He didn't have to, and I absolutely assured him that win, lose or draw, he's around next season and not to worry about it."
Ottawa began the regular season with an astonishing 15-2 record and sat atop the Eastern Conference standings with a commanding lead in January, but the club struggled during the second half of the schedule.
The Senators won just 18 of their final 48 games, coping with a rash of injuries, a goalie controversy with backup Ray Emery that festered for weeks and disrupted the team's chemistry, and a coaching change late in the campaign.
CANES SIGN SAMSONOV TO 3-YEAR DEAL
Sergi Samsonov made good on a chance to resurrect his career, and the Carolina Hurricanes have rewarded him as the club announced Wednesday they signed the Russian forward to a three-year deal that will average $2.5-million a season.
Carolina plucked Samsonov off waivers in early January after he had posted just four assists in 24 games with the Chicago Blackhawks to begin the season. Samsonov was re-energized by the move, scoring 14 goals and 18 assists in 38 games with Carolina.
The eighth overall pick in the 1997 NHL entry draft by the the Boston Bruins, Samsonov won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie after notching 47 points. Two seasons later, he recorded a career-best 75 points.
Samsonov was traded by Boston to Edmonton two years ago, and was a solid contributor as the Oilers made a surprise run at the Stanley Cup, but opted to forego Edmonton for Montreal. He spent 2006-07 with the Canadiens, scoring just 26 points and publicly voicing his displeasure about his ice time. Montreal dealt him to Chicago in the off-season.
Overall, Samsonov has amassed 192 goals and 262 assists in 657 NHL games.
Today's NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(6) Colorado @ (3) Minnesota--Game 5--8pm--KSTC 45 (Series tied 2-2)
-(8) Boston @ (1) Montreal--Game 5--6pm (Canadiens lead series 3-1)
-(3) Washington @ (6) Philadelphia--Game 4--6pm--Versus (Flyers lead series 2-1)
-(4) Anaheim @ (5) Dallas--Game 4--7pm (Stars lead series 2-1)
-(7) Calgary @ (2) San Jose--Game 5--9pm--Versus (Series tied 2-2)
During the second intermission of Ottawa's 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on home ice Wednesday night -- a result that completed the Pens four-game sweep of the Senators in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals -- Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk told CBC that general manager and head coach Bryan Murray would be at the helm for Ottawa in the 2008-09 NHL season.
Murray has doubled as Ottawa's head coach since firing John Paddock in late February, and it was his willingness to do double duty that convinced Melnyk to bring Murray back for another seasaon.
"Bryan stepped up to the plate," Melnyk told CBC. "That's the way you gotta look at it. There had to be a change made, and I came to Bryan and asked him if he wanted to take it on both jobs.
"He's a stand-up guy with tremendous experience, and he stepped in. He didn't have to, and I absolutely assured him that win, lose or draw, he's around next season and not to worry about it."
Ottawa began the regular season with an astonishing 15-2 record and sat atop the Eastern Conference standings with a commanding lead in January, but the club struggled during the second half of the schedule.
The Senators won just 18 of their final 48 games, coping with a rash of injuries, a goalie controversy with backup Ray Emery that festered for weeks and disrupted the team's chemistry, and a coaching change late in the campaign.
CANES SIGN SAMSONOV TO 3-YEAR DEAL
Sergi Samsonov made good on a chance to resurrect his career, and the Carolina Hurricanes have rewarded him as the club announced Wednesday they signed the Russian forward to a three-year deal that will average $2.5-million a season.
Carolina plucked Samsonov off waivers in early January after he had posted just four assists in 24 games with the Chicago Blackhawks to begin the season. Samsonov was re-energized by the move, scoring 14 goals and 18 assists in 38 games with Carolina.
The eighth overall pick in the 1997 NHL entry draft by the the Boston Bruins, Samsonov won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie after notching 47 points. Two seasons later, he recorded a career-best 75 points.
Samsonov was traded by Boston to Edmonton two years ago, and was a solid contributor as the Oilers made a surprise run at the Stanley Cup, but opted to forego Edmonton for Montreal. He spent 2006-07 with the Canadiens, scoring just 26 points and publicly voicing his displeasure about his ice time. Montreal dealt him to Chicago in the off-season.
Overall, Samsonov has amassed 192 goals and 262 assists in 657 NHL games.
Today's NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(6) Colorado @ (3) Minnesota--Game 5--8pm--KSTC 45 (Series tied 2-2)
-(8) Boston @ (1) Montreal--Game 5--6pm (Canadiens lead series 3-1)
-(3) Washington @ (6) Philadelphia--Game 4--6pm--Versus (Flyers lead series 2-1)
-(4) Anaheim @ (5) Dallas--Game 4--7pm (Stars lead series 2-1)
-(7) Calgary @ (2) San Jose--Game 5--9pm--Versus (Series tied 2-2)
Today in NHL History April 17th
1933: Red Wings' Carl Voss was voted the best rookie in the NHL for the 1932-33 season. The Calder Trophy wasn't officially presented to the NHL's top rookie until the 1936-37 season.
1943: Former NHL center Dennis Hextall born in Winnipeg, Man. Hextall played in the NHL 1968-69 through 1979-80 with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles, Oakland, Minnesota, Detroit and Washington.
1951: Ted Kennedy scored the winning goal at 4:47 of overtime to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 2-1 playoff win over the Canadiens at Montreal, in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals.
1976: Philadelphia's Reggie Leach began an NHL playoff record 10 game goal scoring streak during a 4-3 loss at Toronto, in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals.
1977: Don Kozak of the Los Angeles Kings scored the fastest goal from the start of an NHL playoff game, tallying just six seconds into his club’s 7-4 win over the Boston Bruins in Game Four of their Quarter-final series.
1978: Brad Park scored :24 into the game, and Terry O'Reilly had a goal and three assists to lead the Bruins to a 6-1 win over the Black Hawks in Boston, in Game 1 of the Quarter-Finals.
1980: Bruins and Islanders combined to set an NHL playoff record for most penalty minutes in one period, with 248 in the first at Boston. Each team received 124 minutes. Bob Bourne went on to score after 84 seconds of overtime, as the Isles won 5-4.
1981: Defenseman Denis Potvin scored three power play goals and added two assists as the Islanders won 6-3 over Edmonton in Game Two of the Quarter-Finals. Potvin became the third defenseman in modern NHL history to score a playoff hat trick.
1983: New York Islanders and Rangers tied a playoff record for most shorthanded goals in a game, with four. The Islanders had three and Rangers had one, as the Rangers won the game 7-6, in Game 3 of the Patrick Division Finals.....Edmonton's Paul Coffey set a Stanley Cup record for defensemen, with a goal in his fifth consecutive playoff game, a 10-2 Oilers win over the Flames in Calgary, in Game 3 of the Smythe Division Finals.....Buffalo's Mike Ramsey became the second defenseman in NHL history to score goals in four straight playoff games, when the Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3 at the Aud, in Game 3 of the Adams Division Finals.
1993: New York Rangers named Mike Keenan as their new head coach, replacing interim coach Ron Smith (who had taken over for Roger Neilson).
1997: New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur became just the second goaltender in NHL playoff history to score a goal, coming in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of their Eastern Conference Quarter-final. Philadelphia’s Ron Hextall was the first goaltender to score a goal in the playoffs, on April 11, 1989 versus the Washington Capitals.
1999: Goaltender Martin Brodeur tied Ken Dryden's 1975-76 NHL-record of 25 road wins when the Devils won 4-1 at Nashville.
1943: Former NHL center Dennis Hextall born in Winnipeg, Man. Hextall played in the NHL 1968-69 through 1979-80 with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles, Oakland, Minnesota, Detroit and Washington.
1951: Ted Kennedy scored the winning goal at 4:47 of overtime to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 2-1 playoff win over the Canadiens at Montreal, in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals.
1976: Philadelphia's Reggie Leach began an NHL playoff record 10 game goal scoring streak during a 4-3 loss at Toronto, in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals.
1977: Don Kozak of the Los Angeles Kings scored the fastest goal from the start of an NHL playoff game, tallying just six seconds into his club’s 7-4 win over the Boston Bruins in Game Four of their Quarter-final series.
1978: Brad Park scored :24 into the game, and Terry O'Reilly had a goal and three assists to lead the Bruins to a 6-1 win over the Black Hawks in Boston, in Game 1 of the Quarter-Finals.
1980: Bruins and Islanders combined to set an NHL playoff record for most penalty minutes in one period, with 248 in the first at Boston. Each team received 124 minutes. Bob Bourne went on to score after 84 seconds of overtime, as the Isles won 5-4.
1981: Defenseman Denis Potvin scored three power play goals and added two assists as the Islanders won 6-3 over Edmonton in Game Two of the Quarter-Finals. Potvin became the third defenseman in modern NHL history to score a playoff hat trick.
1983: New York Islanders and Rangers tied a playoff record for most shorthanded goals in a game, with four. The Islanders had three and Rangers had one, as the Rangers won the game 7-6, in Game 3 of the Patrick Division Finals.....Edmonton's Paul Coffey set a Stanley Cup record for defensemen, with a goal in his fifth consecutive playoff game, a 10-2 Oilers win over the Flames in Calgary, in Game 3 of the Smythe Division Finals.....Buffalo's Mike Ramsey became the second defenseman in NHL history to score goals in four straight playoff games, when the Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3 at the Aud, in Game 3 of the Adams Division Finals.
1993: New York Rangers named Mike Keenan as their new head coach, replacing interim coach Ron Smith (who had taken over for Roger Neilson).
1997: New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur became just the second goaltender in NHL playoff history to score a goal, coming in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of their Eastern Conference Quarter-final. Philadelphia’s Ron Hextall was the first goaltender to score a goal in the playoffs, on April 11, 1989 versus the Washington Capitals.
1999: Goaltender Martin Brodeur tied Ken Dryden's 1975-76 NHL-record of 25 road wins when the Devils won 4-1 at Nashville.
Today in MLB History April 17th
1820: Alexander Cartwright, considered by many the 'father' of the national pastime is born in New York City. This pioneer banker, who is given credit for establishing three strikes for an out and three outs for each half inning, will be elected into the Hall of Fame in 1938 after a review of his journals reveals his many contributions in developing and promoting the sport of baseball.
1892: In the first Sunday game in National League history, Cincinnati defeated St. Louis 5-1.
1904: Not charging admission but requiring fans to buy a scorecard, the Brooklyn Superbas are able to play their first Sunday game in spite of the Blue Laws.
1929: Babe Ruth The next day, in his first at bat against Red Ruffing, the Babe will hit a home run. Rounding second base, he'll doff his cap to Claire in the stands.
1934: At Ebbets Field, Casey Stengel makes his managerial debut, but his Dodgers lose 8-7 to the Braves.
1947: The Dodgers win 12-6 over the Braves at home as Jackie Robinson gets his first major league hit off Glenn Elliot.
1951: In his first major league game, Mickey Mantle went 1-for-4 as the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 5-0.....Golf great Sam Snead tees off from home plate and hits the center field scoreboard at Wrigley before the Cubs home opener.
1953: Mickey Mantle hits the longest home run in Griffith Stadium history, a 565-feet shot off Chuck Stobbs of the Washington Senators. The Yanks win 7-3.
1960: On Easter Sunday, Frank Lane brings A.L. batting champ Harvey Kuenn to Cleveland and sends co-home run champ Rocky Colavito to Detroit. Colavito, an unparalleled fan favorite in Cleveland, will hit 173 home runs before returning to the Tribe on January 20, 1965. Kuenn will be traded to the Giants after one season.
1964: The New York Mets lost their first game at Shea Stadium, 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh's Willie Stargell hit the first homer at Shea.
1968: The A's debut at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum by losing 4-1 to Baltimore. During the game, the dirt covering a shallow metal dome under the pitching mound, is kicked aside exposing the steel frame, so the mound is covered between innings.
1969: Bill Stoneman of Montreal pitched a 7-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in only the 10th game of the Expos' existence.
1976: Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies hit four consecutive home runs and added a single in an 18-6, 10-inning victory over the Cubs in Wrigley Field. Hitting .167 going into the game, Schmidt connected twice off Rick Reuschel. once off Rick's brother, Paul, and once off Darold Knowles. He drove in eight runs.....At George Steinbrenner’s insistence, Thurman Munson is named Yankee captain. The relucant backstop is the first player to assume the role since Lou Gehrig was honored with position in 1935.
1979: At Oakland, only 653 fans show up to watch the A's beat the Mariners 6-5.
1983: Nolan Ryan ans seven Expos in a 6-3 Houston win to become only the second pitcher to record 3,500 career strikeouts.
1988: After ten consecutive losses the Braves win their first game of the season 3-1 over the Dodgers.
1989: Kent Tekulve pitches two shutout innings in the Reds 3-2, ten-inning win over the Dodgers to pass Hoyt Wilhelm as the major leagues' all-time leader in relief appearances with 1,019.
1993: Three Orioles end up on third base after Chad Curtis traps a line drive in center with the bases loaded. Angels catcher John Orton walks over to the bag and tags all three runners. Only one is entitled to the bag and the double play ends the inning. California third baseman Rene Gonzales observes, Harry's Radiator was the last team I was on where I saw something stupid like that happen.
2006: In front of 36,867 Shea Stadium patrons, Pedro Martinez becomes the 103rd pitcher in major league history to win 200 games as the Mets beat the Braves, 4-3. The Dominican ace has only loss 84 contests at the time of reaching the milestone putting him only behind Bob Caruthers (74), Whitey Ford (79) and Lefty Grove (83).
1892: In the first Sunday game in National League history, Cincinnati defeated St. Louis 5-1.
1904: Not charging admission but requiring fans to buy a scorecard, the Brooklyn Superbas are able to play their first Sunday game in spite of the Blue Laws.
1929: Babe Ruth The next day, in his first at bat against Red Ruffing, the Babe will hit a home run. Rounding second base, he'll doff his cap to Claire in the stands.
1934: At Ebbets Field, Casey Stengel makes his managerial debut, but his Dodgers lose 8-7 to the Braves.
1947: The Dodgers win 12-6 over the Braves at home as Jackie Robinson gets his first major league hit off Glenn Elliot.
1951: In his first major league game, Mickey Mantle went 1-for-4 as the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 5-0.....Golf great Sam Snead tees off from home plate and hits the center field scoreboard at Wrigley before the Cubs home opener.
1953: Mickey Mantle hits the longest home run in Griffith Stadium history, a 565-feet shot off Chuck Stobbs of the Washington Senators. The Yanks win 7-3.
1960: On Easter Sunday, Frank Lane brings A.L. batting champ Harvey Kuenn to Cleveland and sends co-home run champ Rocky Colavito to Detroit. Colavito, an unparalleled fan favorite in Cleveland, will hit 173 home runs before returning to the Tribe on January 20, 1965. Kuenn will be traded to the Giants after one season.
1964: The New York Mets lost their first game at Shea Stadium, 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh's Willie Stargell hit the first homer at Shea.
1968: The A's debut at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum by losing 4-1 to Baltimore. During the game, the dirt covering a shallow metal dome under the pitching mound, is kicked aside exposing the steel frame, so the mound is covered between innings.
1969: Bill Stoneman of Montreal pitched a 7-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in only the 10th game of the Expos' existence.
1976: Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies hit four consecutive home runs and added a single in an 18-6, 10-inning victory over the Cubs in Wrigley Field. Hitting .167 going into the game, Schmidt connected twice off Rick Reuschel. once off Rick's brother, Paul, and once off Darold Knowles. He drove in eight runs.....At George Steinbrenner’s insistence, Thurman Munson is named Yankee captain. The relucant backstop is the first player to assume the role since Lou Gehrig was honored with position in 1935.
1979: At Oakland, only 653 fans show up to watch the A's beat the Mariners 6-5.
1983: Nolan Ryan ans seven Expos in a 6-3 Houston win to become only the second pitcher to record 3,500 career strikeouts.
1988: After ten consecutive losses the Braves win their first game of the season 3-1 over the Dodgers.
1989: Kent Tekulve pitches two shutout innings in the Reds 3-2, ten-inning win over the Dodgers to pass Hoyt Wilhelm as the major leagues' all-time leader in relief appearances with 1,019.
1993: Three Orioles end up on third base after Chad Curtis traps a line drive in center with the bases loaded. Angels catcher John Orton walks over to the bag and tags all three runners. Only one is entitled to the bag and the double play ends the inning. California third baseman Rene Gonzales observes, Harry's Radiator was the last team I was on where I saw something stupid like that happen.
2006: In front of 36,867 Shea Stadium patrons, Pedro Martinez becomes the 103rd pitcher in major league history to win 200 games as the Mets beat the Braves, 4-3. The Dominican ace has only loss 84 contests at the time of reaching the milestone putting him only behind Bob Caruthers (74), Whitey Ford (79) and Lefty Grove (83).
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
April 16th
MARTIN CONFIRMS HE'LL STAY AS CATS GM
Jacques Martin has decided he will return to the Florida Panthers as General Manager.
He served as the team's coach and GM this season, but team owner and chief executive officer Alan Cohen said last week he wanted to see the duties split between two people.
Given some time to consider the change, Martin told the Miami Herald on Tuesday he will return. The 55-year-old has spent more than a decade as a head coach in the NHL, but said he wouldn't be tempted to leave the Panthers for such an opportunity.
"If you have the choice between the two, you take the position where you have the most control, the most impact over the organization,'' Martin told the newspaper. "Under my regime, we believe in drafting and in developing young players. As general manager, I can continue that."
Florida finished the season with a 38-35-9 record, putting them in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers have gone 110-100-36 in his three years as coach. Martin took over as general manager when Mike Keenan resigned in September 2006. But haven't made the playoffs since 2000, and won a playoff game since 1997.
As a GM, Martin acquired a number one goaltender in Tomas Vokoun to replace Roberto Luongo, who had been dealt by Keenan. He also earned praise for getting prospect Shawn Matthias from Detroit for oft-injured Todd Bertuzzi, and has signed promising young players Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss to long-term deals.
Martin previously served as coach of the St. Louis Blues from 1986-88 and the Ottawa Senators from 1995-2004.
LECAVALIER ON THE MEND AFTER SURGERY
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vincent Lecavalier is recovering after surgery on his right shoulder.
The operation was performed by noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Ala.
The NHL club said it expects Lecavalier to be ready for next season's training camp.
The 27-year-old dislocated the shoulder during the third period of a 4-1 loss on April 3 in Washington. He fell awkwardly following a hit by Capitals forward Matt Cooke.
Lecavalier finished seventh in the NHL in scoring last season with 40 goals and 92 points.
NASH UNDERGOES MINOR THROAT SURGERY
Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets inderwent minor throat surgery, which could force him to miss some games for Canada at the upcoming world hockey championships.
The six-foot-four 215-pound left-winger had a follow-up procedure done stemming from a tonsillectomy four years ago. The recovery time is expected to be two to four weeks.
Nash told the Columbus Dispatch via text message he was sore but eager to play at the tournament, hosted in Canada for the first time.
The 12-team tournament will run May 2-18 with games in Halifax and in Quebec City.
Nash has represented Canada in international tournaments on five previous occasions, including a 4-2 gold medal win over Finland at the worlds last year in Russia, where he was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Canada is being coached by Blue Jackets bench boss Ken Hitchcock, and also includes Columbus goaltender Pascal Leclaire and forward Jason Chimera.
STANLEY CUP MAKES RARE VISIT TO EUROPE
The Stanley Cup is visiting Europe to help mark the 100th anniversary of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
Former NHL Greats Peter Stastny, Slava Fetisov, Jyrki Lumme and Arturs Irbe were on hand to present the Cup to lawmakers and fans Tuesday at the European Parliament.
"Hopefully we can start a new tradition, and we might have, maybe not once a year, but once a while, have the Stanley Cup here at the European Parliament,'' said Stastny, who is now a lawmaker at the EU assembly.
The Cup was swarmed by fans who wanted a picture with the trophy, or with Stastny and Fetisov, who is now Russia's sports minister.
Phil Pritchard, the vice-president of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, said the Cup will return home to await the winner of the NHL playoffs.
"Obviously it's very close to the NHL playoffs, (but) the timing was perfect. We were able to do it,'' Pritchard said.
Todays NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(2) Pittsburgh @ (7) Ottawa--Game 4--6pm (Penguins lead series 3-0)
-(4) New Jersey @ (5) NY Rangers--Game 4--6pm--Versus (Rangers lead series 2-1)
-(1) Detroit @ (8) Nashville--Game 4--8pm--Versus, Joined in progress (Red Wings lead series 3-0)
Jacques Martin has decided he will return to the Florida Panthers as General Manager.
He served as the team's coach and GM this season, but team owner and chief executive officer Alan Cohen said last week he wanted to see the duties split between two people.
Given some time to consider the change, Martin told the Miami Herald on Tuesday he will return. The 55-year-old has spent more than a decade as a head coach in the NHL, but said he wouldn't be tempted to leave the Panthers for such an opportunity.
"If you have the choice between the two, you take the position where you have the most control, the most impact over the organization,'' Martin told the newspaper. "Under my regime, we believe in drafting and in developing young players. As general manager, I can continue that."
Florida finished the season with a 38-35-9 record, putting them in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers have gone 110-100-36 in his three years as coach. Martin took over as general manager when Mike Keenan resigned in September 2006. But haven't made the playoffs since 2000, and won a playoff game since 1997.
As a GM, Martin acquired a number one goaltender in Tomas Vokoun to replace Roberto Luongo, who had been dealt by Keenan. He also earned praise for getting prospect Shawn Matthias from Detroit for oft-injured Todd Bertuzzi, and has signed promising young players Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss to long-term deals.
Martin previously served as coach of the St. Louis Blues from 1986-88 and the Ottawa Senators from 1995-2004.
LECAVALIER ON THE MEND AFTER SURGERY
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vincent Lecavalier is recovering after surgery on his right shoulder.
The operation was performed by noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Ala.
The NHL club said it expects Lecavalier to be ready for next season's training camp.
The 27-year-old dislocated the shoulder during the third period of a 4-1 loss on April 3 in Washington. He fell awkwardly following a hit by Capitals forward Matt Cooke.
Lecavalier finished seventh in the NHL in scoring last season with 40 goals and 92 points.
NASH UNDERGOES MINOR THROAT SURGERY
Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets inderwent minor throat surgery, which could force him to miss some games for Canada at the upcoming world hockey championships.
The six-foot-four 215-pound left-winger had a follow-up procedure done stemming from a tonsillectomy four years ago. The recovery time is expected to be two to four weeks.
Nash told the Columbus Dispatch via text message he was sore but eager to play at the tournament, hosted in Canada for the first time.
The 12-team tournament will run May 2-18 with games in Halifax and in Quebec City.
Nash has represented Canada in international tournaments on five previous occasions, including a 4-2 gold medal win over Finland at the worlds last year in Russia, where he was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Canada is being coached by Blue Jackets bench boss Ken Hitchcock, and also includes Columbus goaltender Pascal Leclaire and forward Jason Chimera.
STANLEY CUP MAKES RARE VISIT TO EUROPE
The Stanley Cup is visiting Europe to help mark the 100th anniversary of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
Former NHL Greats Peter Stastny, Slava Fetisov, Jyrki Lumme and Arturs Irbe were on hand to present the Cup to lawmakers and fans Tuesday at the European Parliament.
"Hopefully we can start a new tradition, and we might have, maybe not once a year, but once a while, have the Stanley Cup here at the European Parliament,'' said Stastny, who is now a lawmaker at the EU assembly.
The Cup was swarmed by fans who wanted a picture with the trophy, or with Stastny and Fetisov, who is now Russia's sports minister.
Phil Pritchard, the vice-president of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, said the Cup will return home to await the winner of the NHL playoffs.
"Obviously it's very close to the NHL playoffs, (but) the timing was perfect. We were able to do it,'' Pritchard said.
Todays NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(2) Pittsburgh @ (7) Ottawa--Game 4--6pm (Penguins lead series 3-0)
-(4) New Jersey @ (5) NY Rangers--Game 4--6pm--Versus (Rangers lead series 2-1)
-(1) Detroit @ (8) Nashville--Game 4--8pm--Versus, Joined in progress (Red Wings lead series 3-0)
Today in MLB History April 16th
1928: Braves' pitcher Charlie Robertson has his glove removed from the game by umpire Moran after the Brooklyn Robins complain the ball is acting strangely. The Boston hurler still manages to win, 3-2.
1929: Cleveland outfielder Earl Averill becomes the first A.L. player to hit a home run in his first major league time at bat when he blasts an 0-and-2 pitch off Detroit's Earl Whitehillin the Indians' 5-4, 11-inning victory.....The Yankees become first team to wear digits on uniforms. Numbers are assigned based on the order in the lineup thus Earle Combs wore #1, Mark Koenig #2, Babe Ruth #3, Lou Gehrig #4, Bob Meusel #5, Tony Lazzeri #6, Leo Durocher #7, Johnny Grabowski #8, Benny Bengough #9, and Bill Dickey #10 (#’s 8-10 are all catchers ) rounding out the starting line-up.
1935: Babe Ruth's N.L. debut draws 25,000 to Braves Field. The Babe's two-hit debut includes a 430-foot home run off Carl Hubbell, as Boston beats New York 4-2. The Babe's contract includes a share in the team's profits.
1938: The Cardinals deal a declining Dizzy Dean to the Cubs for pitchers Curt Davis and Clyde Shoun and $200,000.
1940: A baseball game was televised for the first time, by WGN-TV. It was an exhibition game at Wrigley Field with Jack Brickhouse doing the play-by-play. The White Sox defeated the Cubs, 4-1.
1940: Working in 47-degree weather, Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians throws an Opening Day no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox, winning 1-0 at Comiskey Park. It's the first Opening Day no-hitter since Leon Red Ames pitched one for the Giants in 1909.
1948: The White Sox beat the Cubs 4-1 in an exhibition game at Wrigley Field with Jack Brickhouse at the WGN-TV mike. This is the first telecast in Chicago history.
1961: Beginning his historic home run chase of the Babe, Roger Maris finally connects for his first round tripper in the twelfth game of the season. The fifth-inning solo shot is off Tiger pitcher Paul Fovtack
1972: In Chicago, 22-year-old rookie Burt Hooton of the Cubs no-hits the Phillies 4-0. It is Hooton's fourth major league game over two seasons. He has allowed just eight hits in 30 innings with his knuckle-curve.
1977: Regulations force Oakland pitcher Vida Blue to discard his old, discolored lucky cap because it is no longer identical in color, trim and style to those of his teammates.
1978: Bob Forsch of the St. Louis Cardinals no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-0. Less than a year later, Bob's brother, Ken, of the Houston Astros pitched a no-hitter against Atlanta. They are the only brothers to throw no-hitters.
1983: Padres first baseman Steve Garvey plays in his 1,118th consecutive game, breaking Billy Williams' N.L. record. Garvey goes 2-for-4 in an 8-5 Padres loss at Los Angeles.
1984: Dave Kingman of the Oakland A's hit three home runs, including a grand slam, in his first three at-bats. He drove in a total of eight runs in a 9-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
1989: Kelly Gruber becomes the first member of the Blue Jays to hit for the cycle as Toronto beats Kansas City 15-8.
1997: Extending their losing streak to 12 with a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs set the record for worst start in league history surpassing the overall National League record of 0-11 established by the Detroit Wolverines in 1884.
1999: Beating the Padres, 6-4, Colorado skipper Jim Leyland becomes the 45th manager to win a 1,000 games.
2000: Indian starter Chuck Finley, who was already the only pitcher to strike out four batters in one inning twice, does it for the third time as the southpaw strikes out Tom Evans, Royce Clayton, Chad Curtis (who takes first on a passed ball) and Rafael Palmeiro in the third inning; Finley beats the Rangers 2-1 with the help of back-to-back ninth-inning homers from Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome.
1929: Cleveland outfielder Earl Averill becomes the first A.L. player to hit a home run in his first major league time at bat when he blasts an 0-and-2 pitch off Detroit's Earl Whitehillin the Indians' 5-4, 11-inning victory.....The Yankees become first team to wear digits on uniforms. Numbers are assigned based on the order in the lineup thus Earle Combs wore #1, Mark Koenig #2, Babe Ruth #3, Lou Gehrig #4, Bob Meusel #5, Tony Lazzeri #6, Leo Durocher #7, Johnny Grabowski #8, Benny Bengough #9, and Bill Dickey #10 (#’s 8-10 are all catchers ) rounding out the starting line-up.
1935: Babe Ruth's N.L. debut draws 25,000 to Braves Field. The Babe's two-hit debut includes a 430-foot home run off Carl Hubbell, as Boston beats New York 4-2. The Babe's contract includes a share in the team's profits.
1938: The Cardinals deal a declining Dizzy Dean to the Cubs for pitchers Curt Davis and Clyde Shoun and $200,000.
1940: A baseball game was televised for the first time, by WGN-TV. It was an exhibition game at Wrigley Field with Jack Brickhouse doing the play-by-play. The White Sox defeated the Cubs, 4-1.
1940: Working in 47-degree weather, Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians throws an Opening Day no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox, winning 1-0 at Comiskey Park. It's the first Opening Day no-hitter since Leon Red Ames pitched one for the Giants in 1909.
1948: The White Sox beat the Cubs 4-1 in an exhibition game at Wrigley Field with Jack Brickhouse at the WGN-TV mike. This is the first telecast in Chicago history.
1961: Beginning his historic home run chase of the Babe, Roger Maris finally connects for his first round tripper in the twelfth game of the season. The fifth-inning solo shot is off Tiger pitcher Paul Fovtack
1972: In Chicago, 22-year-old rookie Burt Hooton of the Cubs no-hits the Phillies 4-0. It is Hooton's fourth major league game over two seasons. He has allowed just eight hits in 30 innings with his knuckle-curve.
1977: Regulations force Oakland pitcher Vida Blue to discard his old, discolored lucky cap because it is no longer identical in color, trim and style to those of his teammates.
1978: Bob Forsch of the St. Louis Cardinals no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-0. Less than a year later, Bob's brother, Ken, of the Houston Astros pitched a no-hitter against Atlanta. They are the only brothers to throw no-hitters.
1983: Padres first baseman Steve Garvey plays in his 1,118th consecutive game, breaking Billy Williams' N.L. record. Garvey goes 2-for-4 in an 8-5 Padres loss at Los Angeles.
1984: Dave Kingman of the Oakland A's hit three home runs, including a grand slam, in his first three at-bats. He drove in a total of eight runs in a 9-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
1989: Kelly Gruber becomes the first member of the Blue Jays to hit for the cycle as Toronto beats Kansas City 15-8.
1997: Extending their losing streak to 12 with a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs set the record for worst start in league history surpassing the overall National League record of 0-11 established by the Detroit Wolverines in 1884.
1999: Beating the Padres, 6-4, Colorado skipper Jim Leyland becomes the 45th manager to win a 1,000 games.
2000: Indian starter Chuck Finley, who was already the only pitcher to strike out four batters in one inning twice, does it for the third time as the southpaw strikes out Tom Evans, Royce Clayton, Chad Curtis (who takes first on a passed ball) and Rafael Palmeiro in the third inning; Finley beats the Rangers 2-1 with the help of back-to-back ninth-inning homers from Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome.
Today in NHL History April 16th
1939: Goaltender Frank Brimsek, alias “Mr. Zero”, allowed only one goal, his sixth in five Stanley Cup final games against Toronto, to lead the Boston Bruins past the Maple Leafs 3-1 to win the 1939 championship.
1949: The Toronto Maple Leafs swept the Detroit Red Wings to become the first NHL team to win three consecutive Stanley Cup titles (1947-49). The 3-1 series-ending victory also marked the Leafs’ ninth straight win in Final action.
1953: Assisted by linemate Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Elmer Lach scored the only goal in Game Five at 1:22 of overtime, and goalie Gerry McNeil blanked the Boston Bruins for the second time in three outings as the Montreal Canadiens earned the 1953 Stanley Cup championship.
1954: Tony Leswick’s Stanley Cup-winning tally was the second overtime goal ever scored in the seventh game of a Final series. Leswick, who notched the decisive goal at 4:29 of overtime in Detroit’s 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game Seven, matched the feat first accomplished by former Red Wings left winger Pete Babando in 1950.
1961: The Chicago Black Hawks earned their first Stanley Cup championship since 1938 and their third title since joining the NHL in 1926-27. The Black Hawks downed Detroit 5-1 to take the best-of-seven Final four games to two.
1964: Detroit's Alex Delvecchio scored with 17 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Red Wings a 4-3 win over Toronto in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, in Detroit.
1970: Bobby Orr became the first defenseman in NHL history to score goals in four straight playoff games, when he scored twice as Boston won beat the Rangers 4-1 in New York, in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals.
1972: Kevin O'Shea (with an assist from his brother Danny) scored at 10:07 of overtime to give the St. Louis Blues a 2-1 win over the North Stars, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals, in Minnesota.
1980: Clark Gillies scored after 62 seconds of overtime to give the Islanders a 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of the Quarter-Finals.
1990: Bobby Clarke left his post as General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers. He later was named the GM of the Minnesota North Stars.
1991: Edmonton's Esa Tikkanen scored a hat trick, including the winner at 6:58 of overtime and added an assist as the Oilers won 5-4 at Calgary, in Game 7 of the Smythe Division Semi-Finals. Edmonton came back from a 3-0 deficit to win the game.
1992: Brett Hull became just the second player in NHL history to score 70+ goals in three consecutive seasons when the Blues beat the Minnesota North Stars, 5-3 in St. Louis.....Mike Gartner picked up his 500th career NHL assist in a Rangers' 7-1 win over Pittsburgh to become the first player in NHL history to get his 500th goal, 500th assist, 1,000th point and 1,000th NHL game all in the same season.
1998: Chicago defenseman Chris Chelios appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game, in the Blackhawks' 1-1 tie against the visiting New Jersey Devils. Chelios became the 128th player to appear in 1,000 NHL games.
2000: Doug Weight scored his 1st career playoff hat trick to lead the Oilers to a 5-2 win over the visiting Dallas Stars, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. The victory ended a streak of 9 straight Oilers' playoff losses to the Stars.
2001: Raymond Bourque set an NHL record for most years in the playoffs (21) by appearing for the Colorado Avalanche in Game Three of their best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final series against Vancouver. Bourque, who made his playoff debut in 1980 with Boston, passed the mark established by NHL great Gordie Howe.
2004: Toronto's Ed Belfour became the sixth NHL goaltender to record 14 playoff shutouts, in a 2-0 win over the visiting Ottawa Senators, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals.
1949: The Toronto Maple Leafs swept the Detroit Red Wings to become the first NHL team to win three consecutive Stanley Cup titles (1947-49). The 3-1 series-ending victory also marked the Leafs’ ninth straight win in Final action.
1953: Assisted by linemate Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Elmer Lach scored the only goal in Game Five at 1:22 of overtime, and goalie Gerry McNeil blanked the Boston Bruins for the second time in three outings as the Montreal Canadiens earned the 1953 Stanley Cup championship.
1954: Tony Leswick’s Stanley Cup-winning tally was the second overtime goal ever scored in the seventh game of a Final series. Leswick, who notched the decisive goal at 4:29 of overtime in Detroit’s 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game Seven, matched the feat first accomplished by former Red Wings left winger Pete Babando in 1950.
1961: The Chicago Black Hawks earned their first Stanley Cup championship since 1938 and their third title since joining the NHL in 1926-27. The Black Hawks downed Detroit 5-1 to take the best-of-seven Final four games to two.
1964: Detroit's Alex Delvecchio scored with 17 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Red Wings a 4-3 win over Toronto in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, in Detroit.
1970: Bobby Orr became the first defenseman in NHL history to score goals in four straight playoff games, when he scored twice as Boston won beat the Rangers 4-1 in New York, in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals.
1972: Kevin O'Shea (with an assist from his brother Danny) scored at 10:07 of overtime to give the St. Louis Blues a 2-1 win over the North Stars, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals, in Minnesota.
1980: Clark Gillies scored after 62 seconds of overtime to give the Islanders a 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of the Quarter-Finals.
1990: Bobby Clarke left his post as General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers. He later was named the GM of the Minnesota North Stars.
1991: Edmonton's Esa Tikkanen scored a hat trick, including the winner at 6:58 of overtime and added an assist as the Oilers won 5-4 at Calgary, in Game 7 of the Smythe Division Semi-Finals. Edmonton came back from a 3-0 deficit to win the game.
1992: Brett Hull became just the second player in NHL history to score 70+ goals in three consecutive seasons when the Blues beat the Minnesota North Stars, 5-3 in St. Louis.....Mike Gartner picked up his 500th career NHL assist in a Rangers' 7-1 win over Pittsburgh to become the first player in NHL history to get his 500th goal, 500th assist, 1,000th point and 1,000th NHL game all in the same season.
1998: Chicago defenseman Chris Chelios appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game, in the Blackhawks' 1-1 tie against the visiting New Jersey Devils. Chelios became the 128th player to appear in 1,000 NHL games.
2000: Doug Weight scored his 1st career playoff hat trick to lead the Oilers to a 5-2 win over the visiting Dallas Stars, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. The victory ended a streak of 9 straight Oilers' playoff losses to the Stars.
2001: Raymond Bourque set an NHL record for most years in the playoffs (21) by appearing for the Colorado Avalanche in Game Three of their best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final series against Vancouver. Bourque, who made his playoff debut in 1980 with Boston, passed the mark established by NHL great Gordie Howe.
2004: Toronto's Ed Belfour became the sixth NHL goaltender to record 14 playoff shutouts, in a 2-0 win over the visiting Ottawa Senators, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
April 15th
CANUCKS FIRE GM NONIS
Fresh off a late-season collapse that saw the team fail to qualify for the playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks fired general manager Dave Nonis on Monday.
The decision to fire Nonis, who was promoted to the post in May 2004, comes after the Canucks finished ninth in the Western Conference and failed to make the post-season for the second time in three years.
Nonis, 41, was in the final year of his contract.
"The decision to relieve Dave of his duties was difficult," said Canucks chairman Francesco Aquilini in a statement. "We want to thank Dave for the many contributions he has made helping to build our organization during his tenure. However, I think this important change in leadership is critical to the future of the team and the direction we need to take. It's not acceptable to our fans or to us as owners that our team isn't in the playoffs.
"As owners we made a commitment to deliver the kind of hockey our fans deserve. At the same time, with leadership comes responsibility. So, our search begins today for a new general manager, and our focus going forward is on a winning season in 2008-09."
Nonis, who replaced Brian Burke, was the person responsible for bringing all-star goalie Roberto Luongo to Vancouver in a trade that is regarded as one of the most lopsided NHL deals in recent memory.
Under Nonis, the Canucks set a franchise record for points in a season (105) during the 2006-07 campaign when they won the Northwest Division title.
But the team took a step backwards when they finished this season with a 39-33-10 record and three points out of the playoffs.
The Canucks sat in seventh place in the West in February, but Nonis couldn't pull off a significant deal at the trade deadline to bolster his team's struggling offence, and the club struggled for the remainder of the season.
AVERY ACT PROMPTS NHL TO AMEND UNSPORTSMANLIKE RULE
The National Hockey League acted swiftly on Monday, changing the interpretation of Rule 75 -- unsportsmanlike conduct -- to curtail the act of a player like Sean Avery waving his stick in the face of a goalie.
"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play," Colin Campbell, the NHL director of hockey operations said in a statement.
During a 5-on-3 power play in New Jersey's 4-3 win overtime win Sunday night, Avery planted himself in the crease of Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur. Holding his stick upward, the New York Rangers forward waved it side to side to block Brodeur's vision.
Avery eventually scored with the man-advantage to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead, but it's what led to the goal was the pressing issue.
"That's not something that anyone writing the rule book has anticipated, and I don't think that we view that as part of our game," said Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford, an NHL goalie for 13 seasons. "With that being said, Sean Avery didn't do anything to break any rules.
"With every rule that is written, or how we try to change the game, somebody gets creative. Sean has gone beyond being a little bit creative on this one."
OIL INKS GREBESHKOV TO 1-YEAR CONTRACT
The Edmonton Oilers re-signed defenceman Denis Grebeshkov to a one-year contract, however financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 24-year-old posted three goals and 15 assists for 18 points with 22 penalty minutes and a plus-2 rating in 71 games this season, his first with Edmonton.
Grebeshkov has totalled three goals and 24 points with 42 penalty minutes and a minus-14 rating in 104 NHL games since he was drafted 18th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2002.
Edmonton acquired him from the New York Islanders fro defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron and a third-round draft pick on Feb. 18, 2007.
Grebeshkov is the third player in two days to re-sign with the Oilers. Defenceman Tom Gilbert inked a six-year, $24-million contract, while forward Robert Nilsson received a three-year, $6-million deal.
COYOTES SIGN HOBEY BAKER WINNER PORTER
The Phoenix Coyotes signed Kevin Porter, winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top college hockey player.
Porter, 22, completed his senior season at Michigan this year and was second in NCAA Division I in scoring with 33 goals and 33 assists in 43 games. The Wolverines' captain finished his college career with 85 goals and 98 assists.
He was selected by Phoenix in the fourth round of the 2004 entry draft, the 119th selection overall. He will report to the San Antonio Rampage, the Coyotes' affiliate in the American Hockey League.
San Antonio is playing the Toronto Marlies in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs.
Porter scored an NCAA record four goals in Michigan's 5-1 victory over Niagara in the East Region semifinals this year. He also had a goal and assists in the team's 2-0 victory over Clarkson that gave Michigan a berth in the Frozen Four.
Porter was captain of Team USA at the 2006 world junior championships.
Today's NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
Montreal @ Boston--Game 4--6pm (Canadiens lead series 2-1)
Washington @ Philadelphia--Game 3--6pm (Series tied 1-1) Versus
Anaheim @ Dallas--Game 3--730pm (Stars leads series 2-0)
San Jose @ Calgary--Game 4--9pm (Flames leads series 2-1)
Minnesota @ Colorado--Game 4--9pm (Wild lead series 2-1) FSN
Fresh off a late-season collapse that saw the team fail to qualify for the playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks fired general manager Dave Nonis on Monday.
The decision to fire Nonis, who was promoted to the post in May 2004, comes after the Canucks finished ninth in the Western Conference and failed to make the post-season for the second time in three years.
Nonis, 41, was in the final year of his contract.
"The decision to relieve Dave of his duties was difficult," said Canucks chairman Francesco Aquilini in a statement. "We want to thank Dave for the many contributions he has made helping to build our organization during his tenure. However, I think this important change in leadership is critical to the future of the team and the direction we need to take. It's not acceptable to our fans or to us as owners that our team isn't in the playoffs.
"As owners we made a commitment to deliver the kind of hockey our fans deserve. At the same time, with leadership comes responsibility. So, our search begins today for a new general manager, and our focus going forward is on a winning season in 2008-09."
Nonis, who replaced Brian Burke, was the person responsible for bringing all-star goalie Roberto Luongo to Vancouver in a trade that is regarded as one of the most lopsided NHL deals in recent memory.
Under Nonis, the Canucks set a franchise record for points in a season (105) during the 2006-07 campaign when they won the Northwest Division title.
But the team took a step backwards when they finished this season with a 39-33-10 record and three points out of the playoffs.
The Canucks sat in seventh place in the West in February, but Nonis couldn't pull off a significant deal at the trade deadline to bolster his team's struggling offence, and the club struggled for the remainder of the season.
AVERY ACT PROMPTS NHL TO AMEND UNSPORTSMANLIKE RULE
The National Hockey League acted swiftly on Monday, changing the interpretation of Rule 75 -- unsportsmanlike conduct -- to curtail the act of a player like Sean Avery waving his stick in the face of a goalie.
"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play," Colin Campbell, the NHL director of hockey operations said in a statement.
During a 5-on-3 power play in New Jersey's 4-3 win overtime win Sunday night, Avery planted himself in the crease of Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur. Holding his stick upward, the New York Rangers forward waved it side to side to block Brodeur's vision.
Avery eventually scored with the man-advantage to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead, but it's what led to the goal was the pressing issue.
"That's not something that anyone writing the rule book has anticipated, and I don't think that we view that as part of our game," said Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford, an NHL goalie for 13 seasons. "With that being said, Sean Avery didn't do anything to break any rules.
"With every rule that is written, or how we try to change the game, somebody gets creative. Sean has gone beyond being a little bit creative on this one."
OIL INKS GREBESHKOV TO 1-YEAR CONTRACT
The Edmonton Oilers re-signed defenceman Denis Grebeshkov to a one-year contract, however financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 24-year-old posted three goals and 15 assists for 18 points with 22 penalty minutes and a plus-2 rating in 71 games this season, his first with Edmonton.
Grebeshkov has totalled three goals and 24 points with 42 penalty minutes and a minus-14 rating in 104 NHL games since he was drafted 18th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2002.
Edmonton acquired him from the New York Islanders fro defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron and a third-round draft pick on Feb. 18, 2007.
Grebeshkov is the third player in two days to re-sign with the Oilers. Defenceman Tom Gilbert inked a six-year, $24-million contract, while forward Robert Nilsson received a three-year, $6-million deal.
COYOTES SIGN HOBEY BAKER WINNER PORTER
The Phoenix Coyotes signed Kevin Porter, winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top college hockey player.
Porter, 22, completed his senior season at Michigan this year and was second in NCAA Division I in scoring with 33 goals and 33 assists in 43 games. The Wolverines' captain finished his college career with 85 goals and 98 assists.
He was selected by Phoenix in the fourth round of the 2004 entry draft, the 119th selection overall. He will report to the San Antonio Rampage, the Coyotes' affiliate in the American Hockey League.
San Antonio is playing the Toronto Marlies in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs.
Porter scored an NCAA record four goals in Michigan's 5-1 victory over Niagara in the East Region semifinals this year. He also had a goal and assists in the team's 2-0 victory over Clarkson that gave Michigan a berth in the Frozen Four.
Porter was captain of Team USA at the 2006 world junior championships.
Today's NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
Montreal @ Boston--Game 4--6pm (Canadiens lead series 2-1)
Washington @ Philadelphia--Game 3--6pm (Series tied 1-1) Versus
Anaheim @ Dallas--Game 3--730pm (Stars leads series 2-0)
San Jose @ Calgary--Game 4--9pm (Flames leads series 2-1)
Minnesota @ Colorado--Game 4--9pm (Wild lead series 2-1) FSN
Today in MLB History April 15th
1876: The Alleghenies bring professional baseball to Pittsburgh playing their first game at Union Park. Next year, the team will be accepted into the minor-league International Association but will disband in 1878.
1909: Before an Opening Day crowd of 30,000 at New York, Red Ames pitches a no-hitter for nine innings against the Brooklyn Superbas, surrenders a hit with one out in the tenth, then loses the game 3-0 in the 13th. The Giants outfield has no putouts.
1918: The A.L. season opens with Babe Ruth pitching a four-hit 7-1 victory over the A's. Red Sox manager Ed Barrow will start Ruth's conversion to slugger by working him into 72 games in the outfield and first base.
1947: Jackie Robinson goes hitless in three trips in his debut but handles 11 chances at first base, a new position for him, in a 5-3 Brooklyn win over the Boston Braves. Coach Clyde Sukeforth, interim manager and the man credited with first scouting Robinson, guides the team to two wins before stepping down.
1954: Clint Courtney of the Orioles hits the first major league home run in Memorial Stadium. The Birds draw an Opening Day record crowd of 46,354 in a 3-1 afternoon win against the White Sox.
1958: The San Francisco Giants defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first major league game played at Seals Stadium, with Ruben Gomez pitching an 8-0 shutout. Giants shortstop Darly Spencer hits the first home run. The Giants set an attendance record for Seals Stadium by drawing 23,192 fans.
1966: Bob Gibson's 9-2 win at Forbes Field is the 18th straight for St. Louis in Pittsburgh. St. Louis ties the major league record (set by the Dodgers against the Phillies in 1945-46) for consecutive road wins against one club.
1968: Three records are smashed when the Astros score an unearned run in the 24th inning to squeeze by the Mets 1-0 after six hours and six minutes. It sets the mark as the longest N.L. game played to completion, the longest major league night game, and the first 23 innings are the longest major league scoreless game. The game ties the A.L.'s longest complete game (A's 4, Red Sox 1 in 24 innings on September 1, 1906).
1972: Reggie Jackson sports a mustache as the A's top the Twins 4-3 in 11 innings. Jackson is reported to be the first major league player with facial hair since Wally Schang in 1914.
1976: Newly remodeled Yankee Stadium is jammed with 52,613 fans for Opening Day ceremonies. The 1923 Yankee team is honored, and Bob Shawkey, winner of the 1923 Stadium opener, throws out the first ball. The Yankees beat the Twins 11-4 on 14 hits, but the only home runs are two hit by Minnesota's Dan Ford.
1983: Detroit pitcher Milt Wilcox is one out away from a perfect game when pinch hitter Jerry Hairston singles, and Wilcox settles for a 6-0 one-hitter over the White Sox. This is only the third time in major league history a perfect bid has been stopped with one out to go.
1987: Juan Nieves throws the first no-hitter in Brewers history, winning 7-0 against Baltimore. Milwaukee runs its record to 9-0.
1993: Andre Dawson became the 25th player to hit 400 home runs as the Boston Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3.....Sparky Anderson got his 2,000th victory as a manager in the Detroit Tigers' 3-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.
1994: With only 115 fans in attendance on a cold and rainy night at Pohlman Field, Kelly Wunsch becomes the third player and first starting pitcher to strikeout five batters in one inning in professional baseball. The Beloit Brewer hurler, who was drafted by Milwaukee in the first round (26th pick overall) of the 1993 amateur draft, makes this possible when two of those victims reached first base on wild pitches during 7-3 loss to Springfield (IL) of the Midwest League.
1997: The 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier in baseball is celebrated before 54,047 at Shea Stadium during a game between the Mets and the Dodgers. President Bill Clinton and Jackie's widow, Rachel Robinson, both speak during the 35-minute presentation, but the surprise of the evening occurs when acting commissioner Bud Selig announces that the number 42 will be retired in perpetuity for every team. On the field, the Mets beat the Dodgers 5-0.
1998: The first-ever American League-National League doubleheader ends up a good day for New York. The Yankees are forced to come to Shea Stadium after a beam falls into the stands at Yankee Stadium on April 13. The Yankees earn their first victory in Queens in 22 years as they defeat the Angels 6-3. Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry, the all-time home run leader at Shea, adds to his total with a shot into the left field bleachers. In the regularly-scheduled night game, the Mets beat the Cubs 2-1. The Yankees, who played at Shea in 1974-75 while Yankee Stadium was renovated, are the winner in the attendance department (40,743 to 16,012).
2000: In the 2,800th game of his career, Oriole infielder Cal Ripken lines a base hit to center off the Twins Hector Carrasco to become the 24th major leaguer to reach the 3,000 career hit milestone. The single also makes him only the seventh player to get 3,000 hits and 400 home runs in major league history.
2005: A Fenway fan is ejected from the game after he takes what appears to be a swipe at Gary Sheffield as the Yankee outfielder fields a ball hit by Jason Varitek. The right-fielder's response, which includes shoving the fan, making a fist and exchanging words, will be investigated by major league baseball.
1909: Before an Opening Day crowd of 30,000 at New York, Red Ames pitches a no-hitter for nine innings against the Brooklyn Superbas, surrenders a hit with one out in the tenth, then loses the game 3-0 in the 13th. The Giants outfield has no putouts.
1918: The A.L. season opens with Babe Ruth pitching a four-hit 7-1 victory over the A's. Red Sox manager Ed Barrow will start Ruth's conversion to slugger by working him into 72 games in the outfield and first base.
1947: Jackie Robinson goes hitless in three trips in his debut but handles 11 chances at first base, a new position for him, in a 5-3 Brooklyn win over the Boston Braves. Coach Clyde Sukeforth, interim manager and the man credited with first scouting Robinson, guides the team to two wins before stepping down.
1954: Clint Courtney of the Orioles hits the first major league home run in Memorial Stadium. The Birds draw an Opening Day record crowd of 46,354 in a 3-1 afternoon win against the White Sox.
1958: The San Francisco Giants defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first major league game played at Seals Stadium, with Ruben Gomez pitching an 8-0 shutout. Giants shortstop Darly Spencer hits the first home run. The Giants set an attendance record for Seals Stadium by drawing 23,192 fans.
1966: Bob Gibson's 9-2 win at Forbes Field is the 18th straight for St. Louis in Pittsburgh. St. Louis ties the major league record (set by the Dodgers against the Phillies in 1945-46) for consecutive road wins against one club.
1968: Three records are smashed when the Astros score an unearned run in the 24th inning to squeeze by the Mets 1-0 after six hours and six minutes. It sets the mark as the longest N.L. game played to completion, the longest major league night game, and the first 23 innings are the longest major league scoreless game. The game ties the A.L.'s longest complete game (A's 4, Red Sox 1 in 24 innings on September 1, 1906).
1972: Reggie Jackson sports a mustache as the A's top the Twins 4-3 in 11 innings. Jackson is reported to be the first major league player with facial hair since Wally Schang in 1914.
1976: Newly remodeled Yankee Stadium is jammed with 52,613 fans for Opening Day ceremonies. The 1923 Yankee team is honored, and Bob Shawkey, winner of the 1923 Stadium opener, throws out the first ball. The Yankees beat the Twins 11-4 on 14 hits, but the only home runs are two hit by Minnesota's Dan Ford.
1983: Detroit pitcher Milt Wilcox is one out away from a perfect game when pinch hitter Jerry Hairston singles, and Wilcox settles for a 6-0 one-hitter over the White Sox. This is only the third time in major league history a perfect bid has been stopped with one out to go.
1987: Juan Nieves throws the first no-hitter in Brewers history, winning 7-0 against Baltimore. Milwaukee runs its record to 9-0.
1993: Andre Dawson became the 25th player to hit 400 home runs as the Boston Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3.....Sparky Anderson got his 2,000th victory as a manager in the Detroit Tigers' 3-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.
1994: With only 115 fans in attendance on a cold and rainy night at Pohlman Field, Kelly Wunsch becomes the third player and first starting pitcher to strikeout five batters in one inning in professional baseball. The Beloit Brewer hurler, who was drafted by Milwaukee in the first round (26th pick overall) of the 1993 amateur draft, makes this possible when two of those victims reached first base on wild pitches during 7-3 loss to Springfield (IL) of the Midwest League.
1997: The 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier in baseball is celebrated before 54,047 at Shea Stadium during a game between the Mets and the Dodgers. President Bill Clinton and Jackie's widow, Rachel Robinson, both speak during the 35-minute presentation, but the surprise of the evening occurs when acting commissioner Bud Selig announces that the number 42 will be retired in perpetuity for every team. On the field, the Mets beat the Dodgers 5-0.
1998: The first-ever American League-National League doubleheader ends up a good day for New York. The Yankees are forced to come to Shea Stadium after a beam falls into the stands at Yankee Stadium on April 13. The Yankees earn their first victory in Queens in 22 years as they defeat the Angels 6-3. Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry, the all-time home run leader at Shea, adds to his total with a shot into the left field bleachers. In the regularly-scheduled night game, the Mets beat the Cubs 2-1. The Yankees, who played at Shea in 1974-75 while Yankee Stadium was renovated, are the winner in the attendance department (40,743 to 16,012).
2000: In the 2,800th game of his career, Oriole infielder Cal Ripken lines a base hit to center off the Twins Hector Carrasco to become the 24th major leaguer to reach the 3,000 career hit milestone. The single also makes him only the seventh player to get 3,000 hits and 400 home runs in major league history.
2005: A Fenway fan is ejected from the game after he takes what appears to be a swipe at Gary Sheffield as the Yankee outfielder fields a ball hit by Jason Varitek. The right-fielder's response, which includes shoving the fan, making a fist and exchanging words, will be investigated by major league baseball.
Today in NHL History April 15th
1929: Chicago Black Hawks named Tom Shaughnessy as their new coach.....New York Rangers traded Clarence "Taffy" Abel to Chicago for $15,000.
1937: In Game Five of the 1937 Stanley Cup series, referee Mickey Ion awarded Rangers right winger Alex Shibicky the first penalty shot in Final history. Red Wings rookie goaltender Earl Robertson stopped Shibicky’s shot and posted his second straight shutout, 3-0 against New York, as Detroit became the first American team to repeat as Cup champions.
1952: In his fourth shutout in eight postseason games, Detroit Red Wings goalie Terry Sawchuk blanked the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 to complete a four-game sweep of the 1952 Final. The Wings, who had also swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Semifinal, distinguished themselves as the first NHL team to win every playoff game in one year.
1958: Fleming Mackell picked up two assists, to give him an-NHL record 14 for the playoffs, in Boston's 3-1 win over Montreal, in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, at Boston Garden.....Former NHL center Keith Acton born in Newmarket, Ont. Acton played in the NHL 1979-80 thru 1993-94 with Montreal, Minnesota, Edmonton, Philadelphia, Washington, and the New York Islanders.
1971: Bobby Rousseau scored a goal and added two assists to lead Minnesota to a 5-2 playoff win over St. Louis, in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals. With the win, the North Stars advanced to the Semi-Finals against Montreal.
1976: Philadelphia picked up a playoff record 30 penalties in a 5-4 loss at Toronto, in Game 3 of the Quarter-Finals. The record was broken in 1981 when the Rangers got 31 in a game against Los Angeles.
1977: Clark Gillies set a playoff record with his fourth consecutive game winning goal and Billy Smith made 45 saves as the Islanders won 4-3 at Buffalo, in Game 3 of the Stanlely Cup Quarter-Finals.
1983: Edmonton's Paul Coffey tied a playoff record for defensemen, with a goal in his fourth consecutive playoff game, a 5-1 Oilers win over the visiting Calgary Flames, in Game 2 of the Smythe Division Finals.
1984: Philadelphia Flyers fired head coach Bob McCammon. Mike Keenan was later named as his replacement.
1986: Greg Paslawski scored a hat trick and added two assists, and Doug Gilmour set a team record with five assists, in a 6-3 Blues' playoff win over the North Stars, in Minnesota, in Game Five of the Division Semi-Finals.
1992: Al Arbour set a record for coaching the most games in NHL history, with #1,438, a 7-0 Islanders' win over the Devils, in Long Island. Arbour passed Dick Irvin. Steve Thomas led the scoring with 4 goals (his 5th career hat trick) and an assist.
1993: Teemu Selanne scored his 76th goal of the season, and added an assist, to lead the Jets to a 3-0 win over the Oilers in Winnipeg. Selanne's 76 goals and 132 points set NHL rookie records. Goaltender Bob Essensa recorded his 13th career shutout.....Alexander Mogilny scored his 75th and 76th goals of the season, which tied him with Winnipeg Jets' rookie Teemu Selanne for the 1992-93 goal scoring championship. The two goals came as the Sabres lost 7-4 to the Flyers in Buffalo.....Vancouver's Cliff Ronning scored his second career hat trick and added three assists in the Canucks 8-6 win over the Kings at Los Angeles. Vancouver broke the 100 point barrier for the first time, finishing with 101 points and a record 46 wins.....Detroit Red Wings won 5-3 over the Minnesota North Stars at Joe Louis Arena, to finish the 1992-93 season with a club record 103 points.....San Jose Sharks lost 7-3 to the Flames at Calgary, to finish their second season with an NHL record 71 losses and just two ties.
1998: Tie Domi set a Toronto Maple Leafs record for most penalty minutes in a season, when his 17 PIM (in a 3-2 win over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks) broke the season record of 351 set by Dave "Tiger" Williams in 1977-78.
1937: In Game Five of the 1937 Stanley Cup series, referee Mickey Ion awarded Rangers right winger Alex Shibicky the first penalty shot in Final history. Red Wings rookie goaltender Earl Robertson stopped Shibicky’s shot and posted his second straight shutout, 3-0 against New York, as Detroit became the first American team to repeat as Cup champions.
1952: In his fourth shutout in eight postseason games, Detroit Red Wings goalie Terry Sawchuk blanked the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 to complete a four-game sweep of the 1952 Final. The Wings, who had also swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Semifinal, distinguished themselves as the first NHL team to win every playoff game in one year.
1958: Fleming Mackell picked up two assists, to give him an-NHL record 14 for the playoffs, in Boston's 3-1 win over Montreal, in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, at Boston Garden.....Former NHL center Keith Acton born in Newmarket, Ont. Acton played in the NHL 1979-80 thru 1993-94 with Montreal, Minnesota, Edmonton, Philadelphia, Washington, and the New York Islanders.
1971: Bobby Rousseau scored a goal and added two assists to lead Minnesota to a 5-2 playoff win over St. Louis, in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals. With the win, the North Stars advanced to the Semi-Finals against Montreal.
1976: Philadelphia picked up a playoff record 30 penalties in a 5-4 loss at Toronto, in Game 3 of the Quarter-Finals. The record was broken in 1981 when the Rangers got 31 in a game against Los Angeles.
1977: Clark Gillies set a playoff record with his fourth consecutive game winning goal and Billy Smith made 45 saves as the Islanders won 4-3 at Buffalo, in Game 3 of the Stanlely Cup Quarter-Finals.
1983: Edmonton's Paul Coffey tied a playoff record for defensemen, with a goal in his fourth consecutive playoff game, a 5-1 Oilers win over the visiting Calgary Flames, in Game 2 of the Smythe Division Finals.
1984: Philadelphia Flyers fired head coach Bob McCammon. Mike Keenan was later named as his replacement.
1986: Greg Paslawski scored a hat trick and added two assists, and Doug Gilmour set a team record with five assists, in a 6-3 Blues' playoff win over the North Stars, in Minnesota, in Game Five of the Division Semi-Finals.
1992: Al Arbour set a record for coaching the most games in NHL history, with #1,438, a 7-0 Islanders' win over the Devils, in Long Island. Arbour passed Dick Irvin. Steve Thomas led the scoring with 4 goals (his 5th career hat trick) and an assist.
1993: Teemu Selanne scored his 76th goal of the season, and added an assist, to lead the Jets to a 3-0 win over the Oilers in Winnipeg. Selanne's 76 goals and 132 points set NHL rookie records. Goaltender Bob Essensa recorded his 13th career shutout.....Alexander Mogilny scored his 75th and 76th goals of the season, which tied him with Winnipeg Jets' rookie Teemu Selanne for the 1992-93 goal scoring championship. The two goals came as the Sabres lost 7-4 to the Flyers in Buffalo.....Vancouver's Cliff Ronning scored his second career hat trick and added three assists in the Canucks 8-6 win over the Kings at Los Angeles. Vancouver broke the 100 point barrier for the first time, finishing with 101 points and a record 46 wins.....Detroit Red Wings won 5-3 over the Minnesota North Stars at Joe Louis Arena, to finish the 1992-93 season with a club record 103 points.....San Jose Sharks lost 7-3 to the Flames at Calgary, to finish their second season with an NHL record 71 losses and just two ties.
1998: Tie Domi set a Toronto Maple Leafs record for most penalty minutes in a season, when his 17 PIM (in a 3-2 win over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks) broke the season record of 351 set by Dave "Tiger" Williams in 1977-78.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Today in MLB History April 14th
1910: William Howard Taft becomes the first president to throw out the first ball at a baseball opener in Washington. Walter Johnson catches it, then pitches the first of his 14 Opening Day games. An easy fly hit into the overflow crowd becomes a ground-rule double, marring a 3-0 Big Train pitching gem.
1915: The Athletics' Herd Pennock comes within one out of pitching the first Opening Day no-hitter. A scratch single by Harry Hopper is the only Red Sox hit in a 5-0 loss.
1917: Eddie Cicotte of the Chicago White Sox pitched an 11-0 no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns.
1925: In the first regular-season Cubs game to be broadcast on the radio, Quin Ryan announces the contest from the grandstand roof for WGN. Grover Alexander wins for the Cubs 8-2 over the Pirates and adds a single, double, and home run.....The Cleveland Indians opened the season with a 21-14 victory over the St. Louis Browns, the most runs scored by one team on opening day. The Indians scored 12 runs in the eighth inning when the Browns made five errors, four of them by first baseman George Sisler.....Two future Hall of Famers make their major league debuts for the A's in the same game. Lefty Grove starts against Boston and leaves in the fourth after walking four and striking out nobody. He gives up five runs on six hits. In the eighth, Mickey Cochrane pinch-hits for catcher Cy Perkins, singles, and stays in behind the plate while the A's go on to score nine runs in the last four innings to win 9-8 in ten innings. Grove, known as Groves in Baltimore, is also listed that way in the New York Times box score. Grove will become the first pitcher to lead the A.L. in strikeouts and walks in the same year.
1931: At Braves Field, Robin's pitcher Jack Quinn becomes the oldest pitcher to start an Opening Day game. The 47-year old Pennsylvanian gets tagged with the lost as Boston beats Brooklyn, 7-4.
1946: Manager Mel Ott of the Giants hits his 511th and final home run on Opening Day, an 8-4 home victory over the Phillies. The next day Ott will injure his knee diving for a ball and play only occasionally thereafter.
1955: Elston Howard becomes the first black to wear a Yankees uniform. He singles in his first at-bat, against the Red Sox, as the Yanks win 8-4.
1964: Sandy Koufax throws his ninth complete game without allowing a walk as he beats St. Louis 4-0 in his only start as an Opening Day pitcher.
1967: Red Sox rookie Billy Rohr debuts at Yankee Stadium. He startles everyone by taking a no-hitter to the ninth inning, but Elston Howard lines a 3-2 pitch for a single to right-center with two outs. Carl Yastrzemski had kept the no-hitter alive with a spectacular grab of a Tom Tresh drive to deep left field to open the ninth. Rohr wins the game 3-0, but he will pitch only once more for Boston before returning to the minors.
1968: Jim Bunning's first win with Pittsburgh, 3-0 at Los Angeles, is his 40th career shutout and includes his 1,000th N.L. strikeout, making him the first pitcher since Cy Young with 1,000 in each league.
1969: The first major league game outside the United States was played in Montreal's Jarry Park with the Expos defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 8-7.
1990: Bret Saberhagen gets the win and Mark Davis earns the save as Kansas City beats Toronto 3-1. It is the first time ever that two reigning Cy Young Award winners have figured in the same victory.....Oriole Cal Ripken begins a streak which leads to a major league record for the most errorless games [95] and total chances [431] by a shortstop.
1991: Nolan Ryan becomes the 12th pitcher to surpass 5,000 innings pitched and gets plenty of hitting help as Texas whips Baltimore 15-3.
1993: The first-ever Australian battery comes from Milwaukee. Left-hander Graeme Lloyd and backstop Dave Nilsson, who make up half of the total number of Australian players to ever make the major leagues, make history in the Brewers' 12-2 loss to the Angels.
1998: Mark McGwire hits three home runs, breaking an eight-game homerless drought, as the Cardinals rout the Arizona Diamondbacks 15-5. After tying Willie Mays' major league record by homering in the first four games of the season, McGwire had not homered since April 4.
2006: Thanks to the outstanding pitching of Brett Meyers, and the Phillies bullpen, Philadelphia beats the Rockies, 1-0. It is the first time Colorado has lost a 1-0 game in the 10 years of playing at Coors Field.
1915: The Athletics' Herd Pennock comes within one out of pitching the first Opening Day no-hitter. A scratch single by Harry Hopper is the only Red Sox hit in a 5-0 loss.
1917: Eddie Cicotte of the Chicago White Sox pitched an 11-0 no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns.
1925: In the first regular-season Cubs game to be broadcast on the radio, Quin Ryan announces the contest from the grandstand roof for WGN. Grover Alexander wins for the Cubs 8-2 over the Pirates and adds a single, double, and home run.....The Cleveland Indians opened the season with a 21-14 victory over the St. Louis Browns, the most runs scored by one team on opening day. The Indians scored 12 runs in the eighth inning when the Browns made five errors, four of them by first baseman George Sisler.....Two future Hall of Famers make their major league debuts for the A's in the same game. Lefty Grove starts against Boston and leaves in the fourth after walking four and striking out nobody. He gives up five runs on six hits. In the eighth, Mickey Cochrane pinch-hits for catcher Cy Perkins, singles, and stays in behind the plate while the A's go on to score nine runs in the last four innings to win 9-8 in ten innings. Grove, known as Groves in Baltimore, is also listed that way in the New York Times box score. Grove will become the first pitcher to lead the A.L. in strikeouts and walks in the same year.
1931: At Braves Field, Robin's pitcher Jack Quinn becomes the oldest pitcher to start an Opening Day game. The 47-year old Pennsylvanian gets tagged with the lost as Boston beats Brooklyn, 7-4.
1946: Manager Mel Ott of the Giants hits his 511th and final home run on Opening Day, an 8-4 home victory over the Phillies. The next day Ott will injure his knee diving for a ball and play only occasionally thereafter.
1955: Elston Howard becomes the first black to wear a Yankees uniform. He singles in his first at-bat, against the Red Sox, as the Yanks win 8-4.
1964: Sandy Koufax throws his ninth complete game without allowing a walk as he beats St. Louis 4-0 in his only start as an Opening Day pitcher.
1967: Red Sox rookie Billy Rohr debuts at Yankee Stadium. He startles everyone by taking a no-hitter to the ninth inning, but Elston Howard lines a 3-2 pitch for a single to right-center with two outs. Carl Yastrzemski had kept the no-hitter alive with a spectacular grab of a Tom Tresh drive to deep left field to open the ninth. Rohr wins the game 3-0, but he will pitch only once more for Boston before returning to the minors.
1968: Jim Bunning's first win with Pittsburgh, 3-0 at Los Angeles, is his 40th career shutout and includes his 1,000th N.L. strikeout, making him the first pitcher since Cy Young with 1,000 in each league.
1969: The first major league game outside the United States was played in Montreal's Jarry Park with the Expos defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 8-7.
1990: Bret Saberhagen gets the win and Mark Davis earns the save as Kansas City beats Toronto 3-1. It is the first time ever that two reigning Cy Young Award winners have figured in the same victory.....Oriole Cal Ripken begins a streak which leads to a major league record for the most errorless games [95] and total chances [431] by a shortstop.
1991: Nolan Ryan becomes the 12th pitcher to surpass 5,000 innings pitched and gets plenty of hitting help as Texas whips Baltimore 15-3.
1993: The first-ever Australian battery comes from Milwaukee. Left-hander Graeme Lloyd and backstop Dave Nilsson, who make up half of the total number of Australian players to ever make the major leagues, make history in the Brewers' 12-2 loss to the Angels.
1998: Mark McGwire hits three home runs, breaking an eight-game homerless drought, as the Cardinals rout the Arizona Diamondbacks 15-5. After tying Willie Mays' major league record by homering in the first four games of the season, McGwire had not homered since April 4.
2006: Thanks to the outstanding pitching of Brett Meyers, and the Phillies bullpen, Philadelphia beats the Rockies, 1-0. It is the first time Colorado has lost a 1-0 game in the 10 years of playing at Coors Field.
Today in NHL History April 14th
1902: Hall of Famer Sylvio Mantha born in Montreal, Que. Mantha played in the NHL 1923-24 through 1936-37 with Montreal and Boston.
1928: In only their second season as an NHL franchise, the New York Rangers captured the 1928 Stanley Cup with a 2-1 triumph over the Montreal Maroons in the final game of the best-of-five title series. The Rangers became only the second American team in history to win the Stanley Cup, joining the 1917 champion Seattle Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association.
1931: Goaltender George Hainsworth blanked the Chicago Black Hawks 2-0 as the Montreal Canadiens became the second NHL team to win Stanley Cup championships in two consecutive seasons. The Ottawa Senators first accomplished the feat in 1920 and 1921.
1942: Brothers Don Metz (3-2-5) and Nick Metz (1-2-3) led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a record-tying 9-3 victory against the Detroit Red Wings in the 1942 Final. The Leafs’ nine-goal outburst matched the Final scoring mark for an NHL team set by Detroit on April 7, 1936, in a 9-4 win against Toronto.
1948: The Toronto Maple Leafs repeated as Stanley Cup champions with a 7-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings, thus completing a four-game sweep of the 1948 Final. The game marked the end of a career for Toronto captain Syl Apps, who punctuated his stint in the NHL with a goal in this series-ending victory.
1953: Maurice “Rocket” Richard became the second NHL player to register two hat tricks in Final history, joining Howie Morenz in achieving the feat. Richard, who led Montreal to a 7-3 win against Boston, later added a four-goal performance to his record on April 6, 1957.
1955: Right winger Gordie Howe scored the winning goal in Game Seven of the 1955 Stanley Cup Final to lead the Detroit Red Wings past the Montreal Canadiens 3-1. The goal gave Howe a 5-7-12 scoring mark in the series, setting a new individual mark for Final competition.....Former NHL left winger Steve Jensen born in Minneapolis, Mn. Jensen played in the NHL 1975-76 through 1981-82 with Minnesota and Los Angeles.
1960: Goaltender Jacques Plante blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 as the Montreal Canadiens captured their record-setting fifth straight Stanley Cup championship. The victory marked the end of a career for Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the NHL’s all-time leader with 34 goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
1968: Bobby Schmautz scored a goal from 90 feet out, and added an assist to lead the Black Hawks to a 2-1 win over the Rangers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals, at New York.
1969: Former NHL center Dave Archibald born in Chilliwack, B.C. Archibald played in the NHL 1987-88 through 1996-97 with the Minnesota North Stars, the New York Rangers, Ottawa and the New York Islanders.
1970: Minnesota's Charlie Burns became the final player/coach in NHL history to score a goal, when he tallied once for the North Stars in a 6-3 loss in St. Louis, in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Quarter Finals.
1979: Sabres helped set a Stanley Cup Playoff Record for fastest two goals by two teams. Gil Perreault and Pittsburgh's Jim Hamilton scored five seconds apart in the 1st, as the Penguins went on to win 4-3 in Game 3 of the Preliminary Round.
1980: Chicago veteran Stan Mikita announced his retirement after 22 seasons in the NHL.
1982: Detroit's Steve Yzerman scored his 15th career hat trick (including 2 shorthanded goals) and picked up an assist to give him 100 points in a season for the 5th straight year in a 7-4 Red Wings' win over the North Stars at Minnesota.
1989: Just 13 days after being fired by the New York Rangers, Michel Bergeron was named coach of the Quebec Nordiques for the second time in his career. Bergeron replaced Jean Perron.
1992: Detroit's Steve Yzerman scored his 15th career hat trick (including 2 shorthanded goals) and picked up an assist to give him 100 points in a season for the 5th straight year in a 7-4 Red Wings' win over the North Stars at Minnesota.....Playing in the final regular season game of his 20 year NHL career, Larry Robinson scored his final NHL goal (#208) and picked up his final career point (#958 -- 4th highest among defensemen in NHL history) in the Kings' 3-2 loss to Vancouver.
1993: Bruins' Joe Juneau had three assists to tie Peter Stastny's NHL rookie record, with 70 assists for the season. His three points gave him 100 points on the year, and came in the Bruins' 8th straight road win, a 4-2 victory at Ottawa.....Mario Lemieux scored two goals and an assist to lead the Penguins to a 6-6 tie at New Jersey. The NHL's longest winning streak ended at 17 straight games, but with the tie the Penguins extended their unbeaten streak to 18 games.
1994: Chicago Stadium, the second oldest major league arena in North America, hosted its final regular season game as the Blackhawks lost 6-4 to Toronto.
1996: Detroit wrapped up the winningest season in NHL history with a 5-1 win at Dallas. The Red Wings finished the season with 62 wins, two more than the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens.....Mario Lemieux scored a goal and four assists to win his fifth scoring title with a total of 161 points (69 goals, 92 assists) in the Penguins' 6-5 loss at Boston. Also in that game, Jaromir Jagr had two assists to set an NHL record for most points in a season by a right wing, breaking the old record of 147 points set by Mike Bossy.
1999: Dallas' Ed Belfour became the first goaltender in NHL history to win 35 (or more) games five times in his NHL career, when the Stars beat the visiting Phoenix Coyotes 4-2.....NJ Devils tied an NHL record for road wins in a season (27) set by the 1976-77 and '77-78 Canadiens, with a 2-1 victory at Buffalo.
2001: Tommy Salo recorded his first career victory at Reunion Arena in Dallas as the Oilers scored three power play goals to end a 13-game losing streak at Dallas with a 4-3 Edmonton win, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.
1928: In only their second season as an NHL franchise, the New York Rangers captured the 1928 Stanley Cup with a 2-1 triumph over the Montreal Maroons in the final game of the best-of-five title series. The Rangers became only the second American team in history to win the Stanley Cup, joining the 1917 champion Seattle Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association.
1931: Goaltender George Hainsworth blanked the Chicago Black Hawks 2-0 as the Montreal Canadiens became the second NHL team to win Stanley Cup championships in two consecutive seasons. The Ottawa Senators first accomplished the feat in 1920 and 1921.
1942: Brothers Don Metz (3-2-5) and Nick Metz (1-2-3) led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a record-tying 9-3 victory against the Detroit Red Wings in the 1942 Final. The Leafs’ nine-goal outburst matched the Final scoring mark for an NHL team set by Detroit on April 7, 1936, in a 9-4 win against Toronto.
1948: The Toronto Maple Leafs repeated as Stanley Cup champions with a 7-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings, thus completing a four-game sweep of the 1948 Final. The game marked the end of a career for Toronto captain Syl Apps, who punctuated his stint in the NHL with a goal in this series-ending victory.
1953: Maurice “Rocket” Richard became the second NHL player to register two hat tricks in Final history, joining Howie Morenz in achieving the feat. Richard, who led Montreal to a 7-3 win against Boston, later added a four-goal performance to his record on April 6, 1957.
1955: Right winger Gordie Howe scored the winning goal in Game Seven of the 1955 Stanley Cup Final to lead the Detroit Red Wings past the Montreal Canadiens 3-1. The goal gave Howe a 5-7-12 scoring mark in the series, setting a new individual mark for Final competition.....Former NHL left winger Steve Jensen born in Minneapolis, Mn. Jensen played in the NHL 1975-76 through 1981-82 with Minnesota and Los Angeles.
1960: Goaltender Jacques Plante blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 as the Montreal Canadiens captured their record-setting fifth straight Stanley Cup championship. The victory marked the end of a career for Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the NHL’s all-time leader with 34 goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
1968: Bobby Schmautz scored a goal from 90 feet out, and added an assist to lead the Black Hawks to a 2-1 win over the Rangers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals, at New York.
1969: Former NHL center Dave Archibald born in Chilliwack, B.C. Archibald played in the NHL 1987-88 through 1996-97 with the Minnesota North Stars, the New York Rangers, Ottawa and the New York Islanders.
1970: Minnesota's Charlie Burns became the final player/coach in NHL history to score a goal, when he tallied once for the North Stars in a 6-3 loss in St. Louis, in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Quarter Finals.
1979: Sabres helped set a Stanley Cup Playoff Record for fastest two goals by two teams. Gil Perreault and Pittsburgh's Jim Hamilton scored five seconds apart in the 1st, as the Penguins went on to win 4-3 in Game 3 of the Preliminary Round.
1980: Chicago veteran Stan Mikita announced his retirement after 22 seasons in the NHL.
1982: Detroit's Steve Yzerman scored his 15th career hat trick (including 2 shorthanded goals) and picked up an assist to give him 100 points in a season for the 5th straight year in a 7-4 Red Wings' win over the North Stars at Minnesota.
1989: Just 13 days after being fired by the New York Rangers, Michel Bergeron was named coach of the Quebec Nordiques for the second time in his career. Bergeron replaced Jean Perron.
1992: Detroit's Steve Yzerman scored his 15th career hat trick (including 2 shorthanded goals) and picked up an assist to give him 100 points in a season for the 5th straight year in a 7-4 Red Wings' win over the North Stars at Minnesota.....Playing in the final regular season game of his 20 year NHL career, Larry Robinson scored his final NHL goal (#208) and picked up his final career point (#958 -- 4th highest among defensemen in NHL history) in the Kings' 3-2 loss to Vancouver.
1993: Bruins' Joe Juneau had three assists to tie Peter Stastny's NHL rookie record, with 70 assists for the season. His three points gave him 100 points on the year, and came in the Bruins' 8th straight road win, a 4-2 victory at Ottawa.....Mario Lemieux scored two goals and an assist to lead the Penguins to a 6-6 tie at New Jersey. The NHL's longest winning streak ended at 17 straight games, but with the tie the Penguins extended their unbeaten streak to 18 games.
1994: Chicago Stadium, the second oldest major league arena in North America, hosted its final regular season game as the Blackhawks lost 6-4 to Toronto.
1996: Detroit wrapped up the winningest season in NHL history with a 5-1 win at Dallas. The Red Wings finished the season with 62 wins, two more than the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens.....Mario Lemieux scored a goal and four assists to win his fifth scoring title with a total of 161 points (69 goals, 92 assists) in the Penguins' 6-5 loss at Boston. Also in that game, Jaromir Jagr had two assists to set an NHL record for most points in a season by a right wing, breaking the old record of 147 points set by Mike Bossy.
1999: Dallas' Ed Belfour became the first goaltender in NHL history to win 35 (or more) games five times in his NHL career, when the Stars beat the visiting Phoenix Coyotes 4-2.....NJ Devils tied an NHL record for road wins in a season (27) set by the 1976-77 and '77-78 Canadiens, with a 2-1 victory at Buffalo.
2001: Tommy Salo recorded his first career victory at Reunion Arena in Dallas as the Oilers scored three power play goals to end a 13-game losing streak at Dallas with a 4-3 Edmonton win, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.
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