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Today in Hockey History: Nov. 28

Today in Hockey History: Nov. 28

The date has been quite eventful during National Hockey League history. One goaltending legend played his final game while there were also numerous NHL firsts. A whole slew of Hockey Hall of Famers hit personal milestones, and this was a good day for coaching changes in Toronto. The THW time machine is gassed up and ready to take us back through the years to relive all the best moments from Nov. 28.

A Memorable Date for Goaltending Legends

Goaltender Georges Vezina collapsed on Nov. 28, 1925, during the Montreal Canadiens’ 1-0 loss versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. This was his 328th consecutive game, but it turned out to be his final one. Shortly after this, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and died the following March.

Today, most fans know the name because of the Vezina Trophy, which is given to the goaltender voted as the best in each season. He played in 16 seasons for the Canadiens, seven in the National Hockey Association, and nine in the NHL. He was the only goaltender to play for the Habs between 1910 and 1925. He won a total of 173 regular-season games between the two leagues and two Stanley Cups.

Another Canadiens goaltending legend, Jacques Plante, recorded his 28th career shutout on Nov. 28, 1954, in a 2-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Bernie Geoffrion scored all goals in the game, with Jean Beliveau assisting on both of them.

On Nov. 28, 1963, Glenn Hall earned his 54th career shutout and picked up an assist in the Blackhawks’ 2-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. This extended the Blackhawks’ home winning streak at the Chicago Stadium to 11 games.

A First Time for Everything

Rookie Yvan Cournoyer scored the first goal of his NHL career on Nov. 28, 1963, in the Canadiens’ 7-3 win at the Detroit Red Wings. He scored 428 goals during his 16-season Hall of Fame career; all spent in Montreal.

Darryl Sittler scored the first goal of his NHL career on Nov. 28, 1970, and also added an assist in the Maple Leafs’ 9-4 win over the visiting Red Wings. He scored 484 total goals in his 15-season career, with 389 of them coming in a Leafs sweater. He also had 84 goals with the Philadelphia Flyers and his final 11 with the Red Wings.

Darryl Sittler Toronto Maple Leafs
Sittler scored his first goal on this date. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)

Billy Smith became the first goaltender in NHL history to be credited with a goal on Nov. 28, 1979, in the New York Islanders’ 7-4 loss at the Colorado Rockies. While the Rockies had their goalie on the…

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