Famous Hockey Moments in April
Rick Tocchet – April 9
1964 – Rick Tocchet (Canada) was born on April 9, 1964. He played 1144 matches in the NHL and scored 440 goals and added 512 assists. He won Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1991-92 season. In 2007, Tocchet pleaded guilty for conpiracy and promoting gambling and he was sentenced to two years probation. Watch one of Rick Tocchet’s fight in the NHL:
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_6cAHfeKbw
Wayne Gretzky – April 10
1991 – Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) scored his 93rd goal in playoffs on April 10, 1991. By this goal, Gretzky set a new record for most goals in the playoffs. Later, he rised number of goals to 122. This is still NHL record.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPuBKLkrhYU
Mario Lemieux – April 11
1997 – Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) scored his 50th goal of the season for the sixth, and last, time in his career on April 11, 1997. After this season, Mario Lemieux retired for the first time. He was back for the season 2000-01.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls_dACYE3Sw
Roman Turek – April 12
2002 – Roman Turek (Calgary Flames) recorded his 20th career shutout on April 12, 2002. With GAA 2.31, Roman Turek is the 10th best goalie in history (see Best Goalie in the NHL history).
Wayne Gretzky – April 17
1995 – Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) became the first player in the history of the NHL to achieve 2500 points in career on April 17, 1995. In total, Gretzky recorded 2857 points in regular season games and 382 points in playoffs.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXEszUR0tDU
Tony Esposito – April 23
1943 – Tony Esposito (Canada and Chicago Black Hawks) was born on April 23, 1943 in Canada. His older brother is also famous hockey player – Phil Esposito. Tony Esposito recorded 15 shutouts in his rookie NHL season and he still holds NHL record for most shutouts for rookie goaltender. During this season he earned nickname Tony ‘O’. Tony Esposito became American citizen in 1981 and because of this we saw him in national teams of Canada and USA. Tony Esposito is member of the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame.
Los Angeles Kings – April 30
2014 – Los Angeles Kings won 5-1 over San Jose Sharks on April 30, 2014 and thanks to this win, LA Kings advanced to the second round of Stanley Cup. LA Kings lost first three games of the series and it seamed that San Jose Sharks will easily advance to the second round. But for the fourth time in the whole NHL history a team was able to win after losing first three games. Los Angeles Kings joined Toronto Maple Leafs (1942), New York Islanders (1975) and Philadelphia Flyers (2010). Mike Richards and Jeff Carter (both LA Kings) did it for the second time as they were part of the Flyers team back in 2010. Results in the series (bold games were played in LA): 3-6, 2-7, 3-4 (OT), 6-3, 3-0, 4-1 and 5-1.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5qUeLNy6jQ
as born on April 23, 1943 in Canada. His older brother is also famous hockey player – Phil Esposito. Tony Esposito recorded 15 shutouts in his rookie NHL season and he still holds NHL record for most shutouts for rookie goaltender. During this season he earned nickname Tony ‘O’. Tony Esposito became American citizen in 1981 and because of this we saw him in national teams of Canada and USA. Tony Esposito is member of the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame.