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Throwback Thursday: This Week in Hockey History

Kyla Lane
7 years ago
It’s that time of the week again when you can impart your throwback fun fact hockey knowledge to all of your friends while taking in the first round of this year’s playoffs! Let’s get at ‘er for the week that was April 13-19th:

CanucksArmy

Unfortunately this week in history was a little slow for the Canucks, so I figured I’d give a little throwback history on the Canucks name. The team is named after Johnny Canuck, a lumberjack figure representing Canada. The team originally used the name and logo when they were a part of the Pacific Coast Hockey League, but stopped using it in 1970 when they moved to the NHL.

Flamesnation

April 18, 1983: The Flames play their last ever game in the Calgary Corral before moving to the Saddledome.

Jetsnation

April 15, 1993: Teemu Selanne nets his 76th goal for his 132nd point to set the record for best rookie season that still stands today.

TLN

April 19, 1947: The Leafs win their first of three consecutive Stanley Cup Championships giving them the bragging rights as the first modern NHL dynasty. They’d go on to win their third straight Stanley Cup on April 16, 1949.
April 19, 1962: Tim Horton and Stan Mikita break NHL playoff records with 15 and 21 points, respectively in Toronto’s 8-4 victory over Chicago.
April 18, 1942: The Leafs finish the greatest series comeback in NHL Stanley Cup history when they beat the Red Wings in Game 7 after losing the first three games of the series.

Oilersnation

Wayne Gretzky waves goodbye to fans following what is expected to be his last NHL game in Canada in Kanata Ontario Thursday April 15, 1999. (CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson)
April 18, 1999: Though he retired as a Ranger, the greatest to ever play the game hung up his skates after playing his final game on this date. He finished his NHL career with 2,857 points. Thanks for all that you did and continue to do for the game, Wayne.
April 17, 1983: Who else but The Great One again? Gretzky nets 7 points against the Flames to claim the record for the most points in a playoff game. The record was broken in 1988 by Devils’ Sundstrom.
April 16, 1991: Esa Tikkanen snipes a hattrick (including the overtime winner) to beat the Flames in the Smythe Division Semifinals. He’s the second player to do so in a series-deciding victory.

Wingsnation

April 17, 2004: Steve Yzerman scores the 68th playoff goal of his career to become the Red Wings’ all-time leader in playoff goals (previously held by Gordie Howe with 67 goals)
April 15, 1952: The first ever octopus was tossed onto Olympia Stadium ice by brothers Pete and Jerry Cusimano to start the tradition that still continues today. The eight tentacles symbolized each win by the Wings needed to win the cup in the Original Six days.
April 15, 1937: The Red Wings become the first US team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups after beating the NYR.
April 15, 2004: Brett Hull scores his 24th playoff game-winner to tie Gretzky’s record.
April 14, 1955: The Red Wings win their second straight Stanley Cup to give them four Championships in six years.

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