Today In NHL History - Phaneuf Shatters Glass

On January 22nd in 2008, the blistering slapshot of Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf shattered two separate panes of glass behind Minnesota Wild goaltender Josh Harding six minutes apart during the first period of play.

Phaneuf's first blast was fired from the Minnesota Wild blueline with the second emanating 120 feet away inside the Flames own end at the buzzer. Calgary beat Minnesota that night by a score of 2-1.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Martin Hanzal's No Goal

On January 20th in 2011, Phoenix Coyotes 6'5" forward Martin Hanzal used his stick to strike a puck floating at face level of 6'3" defenseman Matt Greene into the Los Angeles Kings net, violating Rule 78.5(vi).
Incorrectly ruled a goal by on-ice official Justin St. Pierre, NHL SVP of hockey operations Mike Murphy upheld the absurd call after a lengthy video review claiming there was no conclusive evidence to support the notion that Hanzal's contact was made above the 4 foot crossbar.

Adding to Hanzal's surprise ("I thought it was going to be a high stick") and coach Terry Murray's confusion ("It makes no sense, I don't know why we have video replay in the NHL") with the officiating, Kings GM Dean Lombardi attacked Murphy for the irresponsible call, claiming:

"When the guy in Toronto making the decisions on the goals, in Ottawa and the one tonight, wanted the G.M.'s job in L.A. and was not happy about not getting it, you have to assume you are going to get those type of calls."

Despite an apology to Murphy the next morning, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman fined Lombardi $50,000 for the outburst, noting:

"There is no acceptable explanation or excuse for commentary challenging the integrity of the League's Hockey Operations Department in general or Mike Murphy, in particular. People can disagree with a call by an official on the ice or an official in the Situation Room in Toronto, but even in instances of the utmost frustration there is no justification for speaking as inappropriately and irresponsibly as Mr. Lombardi did. Mike Murphy is a devoted caretaker of the game. His commitment to the National Hockey League, all 30 of its Clubs -- and to the game -- is beyond challenge, question or debate."

The Coyotes added another goal to beat the Kings by a score of 2-0.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Canucks Fartgate

On January 18th in 2023, a fart sound was heard on Sportsnet during the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks broadcast. Without skipping a beat, Canucks play-by-play legend John Shorthouse quipped to his partner John Garrett "Was that you?". Cheech denied it and Fartgate was born.

The moment in question occurred when netminder Colin Delia slid to his left whilst corralling an Alex Killorn clear during a Canucks powerplay, with three minutes remaining in the first period. When approached days later after Fartgate went viral, Delia admitted "It was my skate".

Delia and teammate Thatcher Demko recently began using a one-piece carbon goalie skate by TRUE that is notorious for making untoward sounds with any movement. So, expect more fart noises from Canucks goaltenders going forward.

The Lightning beat the Canucks by a score of 5-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - First Black Player In NHL

On January 18th in 1958, Willie O'Ree dressed for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens becoming the first black person to play in the NHL. The Fredericton native skated in 45 NHL games, collecting four goals and ten assists, before leaving the league in 1961.


O'Ree went on to play for 13 years in the WHL, primarily with the Los Angeles Blades and San Diego Gulls, winning two league scoring titles (1964, 1968) in the process. Today, O'Ree serves as the NHL's Director of Youth Development and Ambassador for Diversity.

That's today in NHL history.