Today In NHL History - Sundin Shootout Winner

On February 21st in 2009, the Vancouver Canucks visited the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since former Leaf captain and 13 season skater Mats Sundin signed a one year deal with the Canucks on December 18, 2008 with a pro-rated payout of $5m for the remainder of the 2008-2009 season.

The home team honored the Swedish legend with an emotional first period tribute, which clearly resonated with the returning Sundin. The teams skated to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation. A subsequent scoreless five minute overtime frame sent the match to a shootout.

With Pavol Demitra sniping a shot past Vesa Toskala and Mikhail Grabovski dangling Roberto Luongo, the stage was set for the Canucks final shooter to win the game. That shooter was none other than Mats Sundin. And, the future Hockey Hall of Fame inductee did not disappoint. The storybook ending saw the Canucks beat the Leafs by a score of 3-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Czech Republic Wins Gold

On February 21st in 1998, the Czech Republic beat Russia 1-0 to capture the gold medal in the Winter Olympics Games in Nagano, the first such tournament involving NHL athletes. The lone goal came from Petr Svoboda with Dominik Hasek collecting the shutout.
That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - McSorley Sticks Brashear

On February 21st in 2000, Marty McSorley of the Boston Bruins swung his stick and struck Vancouver Canucks forward Donald Brashear in the head with three seconds remaining in the third period, rendering him a bloodied, unconscious and convulsing mass.

Presumably intended to target the shoulder and spark a rematch to a first period scrap, the vicious miscue came dangerously close to killing Brashear. With doctors attending to the unconscious Canuck, goaltender Garth Snow skated the length of the ice to fight McSorley as fans littered the ice with debris and officials attempted to remove him from the rink.

Initially suspended by the NHL for the final 23 games of the season (forfeiting $72,000 in pay), the league extended the banishment to one full year after McSorley was charged, convicted and sentenced by a Canadian court to 18 months probation for assault with a weapon.

McSorley never skated again in the NHL. The assault remains the last act of the 4th all-time penalty minute leader's 17 season storied career.
The Canucks beat the Bruins that night by a score of 5-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Brad Stuart Beats Crawford

On February 20th in 2015, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brad Stuart flipped a 92 foot center ice wrist shot past Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford with just over five minutes remaining in the final frame at the United Center.

Crawford's miscue came as the third goal allowed in just three minutes, breaking a 1-1 tie through 51 minutes. To be fair, the preceding pair were powerplay markers, including a 5 on 3 score. The goal was Stuart's second of the season, keeping him on pace to match his prior year production of three goals.

The Avalanche held on to beat the Blackhawks by a score of 4-1.

That's today in NHL history.