What happened on January 27 in the history of the New York Rangers
On this date Gordie Howe set an unofficial record by taking 19 shots on goal in a game against the New York Rangers. Gump Worsley stopped all 19 shots, which was one more than the 18 shots taken by the entire Rangers team.
The Blueshirts tied the Red Wings 3-3 in the game at Olympia Stadium in Detroit.
It’s an unofficial record as the NHL didn’t start recording shots on goal as an official statistic until the 1959-60 season. That’s why Rod Gilbert of the Rangers was credited with setting the NHL record in 1968 when he had 16 shots against the Montreal Canadiens. The current record holder is Ray Bourque of the Boston Bruins who registered 19 shots on goal in a game in 1991. That means that Howe still holds the record, but is tied with Bourque.
Officially, Howe’s career high was 12 shots on goal in one game, something he did three times.
The first Swede
Ulf SternerNew York Times “Ranger fans were pleasantly surprised by Ulf Sterner’s performance. The former star of the Swedish National Team became the first European to compete in the NHL. Judging by his slick stickhandling and passing, Sterner is here to stay. “Bob NevinnotAnders HedbergUlf NilssonToday’s birthdays
20 NHL players were born on January 27 and not a single New York Ranger! The closest one we could find is Paul Messier, Mark’s cousin who played for the Colorado Rockies.
The numbers
37 games on January 27 and the Rangers have gotten exactly half of the points they could have earned. That’s the very definition of .500 hockey.
Games: 37
Regulation wins: 15
Regulation losses: 16
Ties: 5
Overtime wins: 1
Points percentage: .500
Last year
It was the quietest week of the season for the Rangers as their bye week continued.