Today In NHL History - First Female Commentator

On November 25th in 2009, Sherry Ross became the first female play-by-play announcer to call an entire NHL game in English. The milestone occurred at the Prudential Center in a match featuring the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils, which the home team won 3-1. The historical event may be heard here.

With Devils radio regular Matt Loughlin absent due to the death of his father-in-law, Ross shifted from her regular role as the two-season color commentator for the team to assume play-by-play responsibilities for the evening with former Devils forward Rob Skrlac coloring her call.

Ross once performed play-by-play duties for 20 minutes 16 years earlier when Devil's announcer Gary Thorne arrived late owing to a delayed flight, but no woman had ever before called an entire game in English. Women have, however, broadcasted games in French for RDS.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Ryan O'Byrne's Own Goal

On November 24th in 2008, Montreal Canadiens blueliner Ryan O'Byrne played the puck into his own net during a delayed penalty, tying up the game for the New York Islanders with five minutes remaining in the third period.

O'Byrne's own goal was credited to Islanders captain Bill Guerin, who subsequently sealed the 4-3 win with his third round shootout score as the Habs faithful taunted a dejected O'Byrne at the Bell Center.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Jiri Fischer's Heart Attack

On November 21st in 2005, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer collapsed on the players bench after suffering a heart attack 12 minutes into a match against the Nashville Predators causing play to be whistled as medical staff sprang into action to save the Czech's life. Unconscious for six minutes, team doctors eventually resuscitated Fischer employing a combination of CPR and the use of an automatic defibrillator before transporting the 1998 first round draft pick to a Detroit area hospital. He was released two days later.

A week after the collapse, Fischer endured an abnormal cardiac rhythm while resting at home, forcing the 2002 Stanley Cup champ to swap his roster spot for a position as Detroit's Director of Player Development.

The incident marks the first time the NHL postponed a game due to injury. A full makeup game was played on January 23, 2006, spotting Nashville their 1-0 lead from the original outing. Nashville maintained that one goal margin to beat Detroit by a score of 3-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Corey Perry's Own Goal

On November 21st in 2010, Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry scored an own goal when his offensive zone centering pass traveled the length of the ice into Jonas Hiller's empty net with 16 seconds to play.

Perry's own goal, credited to Tom Gilbert of the Edmonton Oilers, was met with laughs from the last place visitors and some taunting from rookie Taylor Hall. Perry made up for the miscue by clinching the goal scoring title that year with 50 markers, more than twice Hall's 22, and hoisting the Hart Trophy. Edmonton won the game by a score of 4-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Brad May's Disallowed Goal

On November 18th in 2009, Detroit Red Wings bruiser Brad May scored what would have been the lone goal of his final NHL season and last of his career. Unfortunately, it was wrongfully disallowed by referees Dennis LaRue and Stephane Augier.

Relying on Rule 31.2, LaRue exacerbated his oversight claiming he intended to blow the whistle prior to the puck entering the net, thus removing the play from the purview of Mike Murphy's video replay review. The absurdity of an official contemplating killing play during a shot on net highlights the ongoing failure of NHL officiating to effectively utilize its on and off ice resources to make the correct call.

May's marker would have tied the game with 14 minutes to play. Instead, the Dallas Stars kept their 2-1 lead and added another to win 3-1.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Clark Shoots Through Net

On November 18th in 2010, Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner Brett Clark fired a slapshot past Philadelphia Flyers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky and through the back of net, narrowing the Flyers lead to 5-4 in a wild first period of play.

Better known for blocking shots than scoring goals, the blast marked Brett's first time scoring in consecutive regular season starts. Tampa Bay came back to beat Philadelphia that night by a score of 8-7.

That's today in NHL history.