During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for April 7th, featuring Lester Patrick.



Today in Hockey History

Lester Patrick Steps Between Pipes for Rangers

1928: The New York Rangers coach plays after Lorne Chabot can’t continue due to an eye injury in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Chabot takes a shot from Nels Stewart of the Montreal Maroons. Patrick can’t use a backup goalie sitting in the stands or minor leaguer Hugh McCormick after asking.

The Maroons were trying to take a 2-0 series lead when Patrick is talked into donning the pads. He lets in a game-tying goal, but the Rangers win the game, 2-1, in overtime. Frank Boucher gets the game-winner for the Rangers. The 44-year-old coach had played in the PCHA years ago.

Joe Miller of the New York Americans is allowed to play for the Rangers, who win their first title in five games.

Other Notable Events

1927: The Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators play to a scoreless tie in Game 1 of the first all-NHL Cup Final.

1936: John Sorrell gets two goals and two assists as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 9-4,. The nine goals are still the most scored by one team as Detroit won Game 2.

1955: Bernie Geoffrion‘s hat trick helps the Montreal Canadiens snap the Red Wings’ 15-game winning streak. Detroit had won nine regular season and six playoff games before losing 4-2 to Montreal in Game 3 of the Final.

1974: Bernie Parent of the Philadelphia Flyers wins a then-record 47th game in a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota North Stars. Martin Brodeur breaks the record in 2006-07.

Andy Brown is the last goalie to play without a mask. The Pittsburgh Penguins lose 6-3 to the Atlanta Flames.

1982: The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings combine for 18 goals in a 10-8 Kings win. It’s the most goals in a post-season game as L.A. takes Game 1 of the Smythe Division semis.

1993: Pittsburgh ties the mark for most regular season wins in a row with 15. The Pens would beat the Canadiens, 4-3, in overtime after a Rick Tocchet hat trick.

1999: Patrick Roy gets 30 wins for the ninth straight season in a 4-1 victory by the Colorado Avalanche over the Nashville Predators.

2012: Steven Stamkos gets his 60th goal of the year as the Tampa Bay Lightning win 4-3 in OT over the Winnipeg Jets.

Happy Birthday to You

1954: Clark Gillies

1970: Alexander Karpovtsev

1979: Pascal Dupuis

1992: Marcus Sorensen

1994: Troy Stecher