Friday, November 29, 2013

Georges Vezina


November 28, 1925
Playing in his 328th straight game, Canadiens goaltender Georges Vezina collapsed during a game against Pittsburgh. Prior to that game, he had lost 35 pounds in a span of six weeks and had a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit that game, but played in net anyways. He pitched a shutout in the first, but began vomiting blood during intermission and collapsed in the crease before the second started. It was the only period he played all season. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and he died four months later. His strong play and dedication to the game was honored with a trophy donated in his name, the Vezina Trophy: It was first awarded to the goaltender with the best goals against average, but was changed in 1946 to the goaltender who played the most games for the team that allowed the fewest goals, then changed in 1964 to the goaltending tandem that allowed the fewest goals, and finally changed in 1981 to the criteria we know today, which is the most “outstanding” goaltender. I guess it got less depressing as we went along (also like news).

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Today in Hockey History - November 23rd


courtesy Hookedonhockeymagazine.com

November 23, 1929 – Boston defenseman Eddie Shore set an NHL record by…recording five fighting majors. That’s good for 25 minutes, nearly half the game, which the Bruins won 4-3 over the Maroons. Apparently that was legal back then, but current NHL rules state that a player who engages in three fights in one game is automatically ejected. I’m sure they’d want to leave anyway with all the bruises and cuts they’d suffer, so I’m not sure how Shore managed to endure five fights. A few months later, he was actually challenged to a boxing match by baseball player Art Shires. Who knew that a baseball player in the 30s wanted to play hockey?
November 23, 1977 – The Kings celebrated their 300th win in franchise history by setting a team record for the four fastest goals, scoring in a span of just 2:21 in the first in an 8-3 win over the visiting Blackhawks. Just a fun night all around for the home team.
November 23, 1980 – Obviously upset at their defeated three years ago, the Blackhawks set a team record of their own by scoring 11 goals in a home game against the Whalers, the most in their own building in their 54-year history. Hartford scored just three, making for an 11-3 blowout.
November 23, 1982 – Neal Broten and Steve Payne each scored hat tricks for the North Stars…but ended up tying the Islanders 8-8. Not one, but two players recorded a hat trick, and Minnesota couldn’t come up with the win! That’s both frustrating for those guys and embarrassing for the defense.
November 23, 1988 – Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and five assists to become the fifth player in NHL history to score 600 goals, as the Kings won 8-3 at Detroit. Gordie Howe, Phil Esposito, Marcel Dionne, and Bobby Hull had done it before, but none of them came close to reaching that milestone in the 718 games it took Wayne (and he had also hit 900 assists). Exactly three years later, he’d pick up his 49th career hat trick. Good day to be Wayne.
November 23, 1991 – The Rangers Brian Leetch began a team-record 17-game point scoring streak as New York beat the Blues 3-0. I’d like to take this time to remind you that Leetch was a defenseman (which is impressive for him as it is slightly embarrassing for the rest of the Rangers forwards throughout history). Mike Richter also recorded his first shutout in the win.

1976-77 Birmingham Bulls


The 1976-77 Birmingham Bulls finished 5th in the Eastern Division of the World Hockey Association.
 Led by right winger Mark Napier (top right) with 96 points (60 A, 36 A).
The first round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 1977,  Napier was the reigning WHA Rookie of the year, having won the Lou Kaplan trophy for the 1975-76 season with the Toronto Toros.   He would be part of 2 Stanley Cup champions, 1979 Montreal Canadiens and the 1985 Edmonton Oilers.

Fear the Mullet!


NHL Highlights 11/22/2013








NHL Top 5 Plays for November 22nd 2013



Top 5 Plays of November 22nd 2013

Monday, November 11, 2013

Steven Stamkos' Injury - 11/11/2013

Steven Stamkos, the NHL leading goal scorer so far in the 2013-14 season, will be out for possibly the season with a broken leg.

Here is the video of the injury suffered today in Boston

Monday, November 4, 2013

Mr. Hockey and The Great One


Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe meets the 11 year old phenom Wayne Gretzky


They meet again after Wayne breaks Gordie's career points record on October 15th 1989

Saturday, November 2, 2013

1999 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

Joe Nieuwendyk holds the Conn Smythe Trophy as the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoff MVP.  

Joe had 11 goals and 10 assist for the Dallas Stars in the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  6 of those goals were game winners and he helped lead the Stars to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

He retired from the NHL in 2006 with career totals of 564 goals, 562 assist (1126 points) and 677 penalty minutes.  His career included 9 seasons and one Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989.  He played 7 seasons in Dallas, 2 with New Jersey, one with Toronto and 1 full season with the Florida Panthers before retiring with back problems.  His career also included a Gold medal in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics for Canada.