Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

1967:  Metropolitan Sports Center opened in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the North Stars won their first home game, taking what would be a team-record 53 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Seals, before a crowd of 12,951.  Bill Goldsworthy scored the first goal at Met Center at 8:23 of the second period, with assists by Andres Boudrias and Dave Balon as the North Stars went on to defeating the visiting Seals.  George Swarbrick of the California Seals scored the first goal against the North Stars at Met Center.  

1967:  In a game of "firsts" - Elmer "Moose" Vasko was credited with the North Stars first penalty at Met Center a roughing call at 4:14 of the first period.  Ron Harris of the California Seals was credited with the first penalty on a North Stars foe with a coincidental roughing call at 4:14 of the first.

1978:  The US Hockey Hall of Fame enshrined it's sixth-year members since opening in 1973 on this date in Eveleth, MN. Inducted were:  Administrators: Donald Clark. Players: Herbert Nelson & Peter Bessone.

1979:  Minnesota's Steve Payne had a goal and an assist in a span of :46 midway through the game as the North Stars tied 5-5 in Edmonton in their first game against the Edmonton Oilers.

1985:  Mike Eaves officially announced his NHL retirement after eight seasons with the Minnesota North Stars and Calgary and was named assistant coach of the Flames.

1989:  Brian Bellows took 9 shots on goal for the Minnesota North Stars in a 7-2 loss at Quebec.

1992:  Minnesota North Stars - still claiming enormous financial losses - sign Mike Modano to a four-year $6.75 Million contract.

1993:  Dallas Stars set a franchise record for fastest four goals when Brent Gilchrist, Grant Ledyard, Neal Broten and Mike Craig combined to score four times in a span of 3:08 during a 6-5 overtime win at Ottawa.

1998:  Defenseman Mike Crowley tied a team rookie record with three assists and Guy Hebert was in net as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim recorded their first ever home shutout against Boston, a 3-0 win over the visiting Bruins.

2006:  Despite being outshot 32-18 by the Sharks, Minnesota's Manny Fernandez made 31 saves, and Wes Walz scored his 100th NHL goal and added an assist as the Wild won 4-1 at San Jose.

2009:  Mikko Koivu, playing in his first game since being named permanent Captain of the Wild, celebrated by assisting on the first goal, tying the game in the third period and scoring in the shootout for a 3-2 win over the visiting Colorado Avalanche.

2010:  Former Oiler Kyle Brodziak scored twice in the first six minutes of the game to lead the Wild to a 4-2 victory at Edmonton.

2014:  Former Minnesota North Stars wing enforcer Basil McRae was named General Manager of the London Knights OHL hockey club.

2015:  After NHL Columbus BlueJackets began the season with a 0-7-0 record, and were shut-out the night before at home 4-0 to the N.Y. Islanders, Head Coach Todd Richards from Robbinsdale, MN was fired by Columbus (1 day following his 49th birthday).  John "Torts" Tortorella was announced as his replacement.