FeaturedThis Day In Hockey History

This Day in Hockey History – March 9

Today in hockey history, a team’s first penalty shot, an individual does some work on the PK, an Original Six franchise retires its first jersey, a great moment for Gordie Howe and his family, and player makes a team wish that penalties didn’t exist.

hockey history

March 9, 1973 – In a 5-2 Canucks win over the Sabres, Andre Boudrias scored on the first penalty shot ever awarded to a Vancouver player. It took the Canucks nearly three full seasons to be awarded their first penalty shot. Conspiracy!

March 9, 1975 – In a 5-2 Bruins win over the Atlanta Flames, Boston’s Gregg Sheppard scored two shorthanded goals in 21 seconds! Nice work.

March 9, 1977 – Rod Gilbert became the first player in Rangers history to have his jersey retired, as his #7 was raised to the rafters in a ceremony before a 6-4 Rangers win over the Minnesota North Stars. Through 19 NHL seasons, Gilbert played his entire 1,065-game career with the Rangers (team record), scoring 406 goals and 1,021 points with the team, both of which are records.

March 9, 1980 – NHL history was made when Hartford’s Gordie Howe skated on the same line with not one, but two of his sons (Mark and Marty) in a 1-1 Whalers tie against the Bruins. It was a great moment in his final NHL season that really highlighted Gordie’s longevity, a season in which he played in all 80 games at age 52.

March 9, 1991 – If you thought two shorthanded goals in a 21-second span is impressive, try this one: Calgary’s Theoren Fleury scored three shorthanded goals in an 8-4 win at St. Louis, an NHL record. Needless to say, the Blues declined every powerplay for the rest of the season.

 

Source: Hockey Hall of Fame

Scott Finger
Scott is the former managing editor at Hooked on Hockey Magazine. He loves hockey, writing, and writing about hockey. He graduated from Roger Williams University in 2011 with a useless degree in Media Communications (concentrating in Journalism). Being a New York Rangers fan (and NY Giants and Mets fan) living in Boston is very uncomfortable for him, and it'll be awkward trying to celebrate a Rangers Cup win in the streets when they inevitably win sometime in the next 100 years. He also likes long walks on the beach.
Back to top button