Mark Howe Leads Hartford Whalers to First NHL Victory in Franchise History

After four winless games to start their inaugural NHL season, the Hartford Whalers finally broke through with a landmark victory on October 19, 1979. Hosting the Los Angeles Kings at the Springfield Civic Center in their first official “home” game, the Whalers delivered a 6-3 win and rising star Mark Howe stole the spotlight.

Just 1:31 into the game, Howe opened the scoring with help from veterans Dave Keon and Rick Ley. Then, early in the second period, Howe struck again, this time scoring the game-winner at 4:50, assisted by Keon and Jim Warner. That goal made it 4-3 for Hartford, and they never looked back.

Howe capped his performance with a third point, an assist on a goal by Bill Bennett. That goal was also assisted by none other than his legendary father, Gordie Howe, marking Gordie’s lone point of the night in a historic family moment.

The win came after a rough road start to the season, with losses to the Minnesota North Stars and Buffalo Sabres, and ties against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks. The team wouldn’t win again until October 31, when they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs to go 2-4-4.

Despite early growing pains, the Whalers made the postseason in their first NHL campaign, finishing fourth in the Norris Division. Their playoff run was brief, however, as they were swept by the powerhouse Montreal Canadiens in the opening round. But on that October night in Springfield, Mark Howe helped etch the Whalers’ first NHL win into hockey history.

About Mark Howe

Between 1979-80 and 1994-95, Mark Howe played 929 regular season and 101 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings. He topped out offensively in 1985-86, scoring 24 and assisting on 58 for 82 points iwth the Flyers. 

Prior to starting in the NHL, Howe had six years of major league experience in the WHA from 1973-74 to 1978-79, playing for the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers. He scored no less than 23 goals in a season and had 107 points in his final campaign with New England. In his first two years, he helped the Aeros to consecutive Avco World Trophy championships.

Dino Ciccarelli Becomes First 50-Goal Scorer in North Stars History

On March 8, 1982, Dino Ciccarelli etched his name into Minnesota North Stars history by becoming the franchise’s first-ever 50-goal scorer. It was the 68th game of the 1981-82 NHL season, and the North Stars were hosting the St. Louis Blues at the Met Center. The crowd was treated to a historic offensive performance as Ciccarelli netted both his 49th and 50th goals of the year, powering Minnesota to an 8-1 victory.

Goal number 49 came just 8:18 into the opening period, with Craig Hartsburg and Neal Broten collecting assists. That goal made it 3-0 early, setting the tone for the night. At 12:04 of the second period, Ciccarelli struck again, this time off a setup from Tom McCarthy and Broten, clinching the milestone 50th goal that had eluded North Stars players since the team’s inception in 1967.

To top it off, Ciccarelli added an assist on Hartsburg’s third-period goal, capping a three-point night and a blowout win. St. Louis goaltender Mike Liut allowed both of Dino’s goals before being relieved by Rick Heinz for the final frame.

Ciccarelli finished the 1981-82 season with 55 goals, a total that still stands as a Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise record, tied only by Brian Bellows in 1989-90. Ciccarelli reached the 50-goal mark twice with Minnesota, while Bellows and Mike Modano remain the only other players in team history to do so.

About Dino Ciccarelli  

Dino Ciccarelli played  1,232 regular season and 141 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1980-81 and 1998-99 with the Minnesota North Stars, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Over that time, he scored 608 goals, placing him 20th all-time just two behind Bobby Hull.

Undrafted to the NHL, Ciccarelli came to the North Stars after a stellar junior career with the London Knights that was marred by broken leg. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.

Ken Hodge’s 6 Assist Game Still a Boston Bruins Record

On February 9, 1971, Ken Hodge turned playmaker and carved his name into Boston Bruins history with a record-setting performance that still stands today. Known more for lighting the lamp than setting up goals, Hodge dished out six assists in a 6-3 win over the visiting New York Rangers.

That night, Hodge played provider on two goals by Bobby Orr, two by Wayne Cashman, one by Phil Esposito, and one by Johnny Bucyk. Though he fired four shots of his own at Rangers goalie Gilles Villemure, he couldn’t find the back of the net. But it was his incredible setup work that stole the spotlight.

Just weeks earlier, Bucyk had tied the club’s previous record with five assists in a single game. Hodge surpassed it with his six-helper night, becoming the sole record-holder, though not for long. On January 1, 1973, Bobby Orr matched the feat with six assists of his own against the Vancouver Canucks. As of today, Hodge and Orr remain co-holders of the Bruins' single-game assist record.

Interestingly, Hodge joined the list of Bruins players with five-assist nights just over a year later, doing it again on November 9, 1972, in a game versus Detroit.

The 1970-71 season would prove to be Hodge’s best. He tallied 62 assists and 43 goals for 105 points, ranking fourth in the NHL in all three categories. Still, he remained somewhat in the shadows with teammates Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr were busy shattering league records of their own.

About Ken Hodge

Ken Hodge played 880 regular season and 97 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1964-65 and 1977-78 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. Prior to his NHL start, he earned the Eddie Powers Trophy as the OHA Junior A (OHL) top scorer in 1964-65, putting up 63 goals and 123 points with the St. Catharines Black Hawks.

Involved in two major trades over his NHL career, Hodge was shipped from Chicago to Boston on May 15, 1967 with Phil Esposito and Fred Stanfield for Gilles Marotte, Pit Martin and Jack Norris. On May 26, 1976, he was traded from the Bruins to the Rangers for Rick Middleton. Middleton went on to a great career with Boston while Hodge soon fizzled out and played just one full season with the Blue Shirts.

NHL Hockey Card Greats: Ken Hodge [Video]