On December 22 in NYR history: The first goalie mask, almost

What happened on December 22nd in the history of the New York Rangers

History was almost made on this date, but it ended in the New York Rangers pre-game practice.  On this date in 1959, New York Rangers goalie Marcel Paille did something no Ranger goalie had ever done. He skated onto the ice in practice with a mask.

This was a month after Jacques Plante became the first NHL goalie to wear a mask in a game. He had been experimenting with a fiberglass mask in practice and when a shot by Andy Bathgate of the Rangers broke his nose, Plante insisted on wearing the mask.

As you can see, Paille’s mask was more similar to modern masks with plexiglass covering his eyes. It is actually closer to the cage masks currently used than the face hugging fiberglass masks that were first used in the NHL.

There’s no record of whether Paille actually used the mask in a game. He complained that the plexiglass fogged up and his vision was impaired so he just used in practice.

Goodbye Atlanta, Hello Calgary

On this date in 1980, the Calgary Flames played their first game at Madison Square Garden.  The Flames had transferred to Albert after spending eight years as the Atlanta Flames.   Already an established team, the Flames beat the Rangers 3-2.

Former Ranger draft pick Bert Wilson scored the game winner with only 30 seconds left in the third period, beating Doug Soetart.  The loss dropped the Rangers’ record to 12-17-7.

Today’s birthdays

16 NHL players were born on December 22 and over a third played for the Rangers at some point, including one whose number arguably should be up in the Garden rafters.

Ron Greschner was born on this date in 1954 in Goodsoil, Saskatchewan. He played his entire 16 year career with the Rangers and was the best offensive defenseman for the Rangers between Brad Park and Brian Leetch.  He actually played forward at times and resides in numerous slots in the franchise top ten lists including fourth overall in games played (981),  seventh in assists (431) and career points (610).  He is the franchise career leader in penalty minutes with 1,226.   Many Ranger fans are lobbying for his number four to raised to the rafters of Madison Square Garden.

Walt Atanas was born in 1945 in Hamilton, Ontario and played one season in the NHL.  The right wing played 49 games in 1944-45 scoring 13 goals and 21 points.

Paul Fenton was born in 1959 in Springfield, Mass. and played eight games for the Rangers in 1986-87.  The left winger was scoreless and was last seen as the general manager of the Minnesota Wild.

Peter Fiorentino was born in 1968 in Niagara Falls, Ontario and was one of those players who suited up only once in the NHL and it was for the Rangers. The defenseman played one game in October 1991 and didn’t make the scoresheet.

Norm Gratton was born on this date in 1950 in LaSalle, Quebec.  He was drafted in the first round of the 1970 draft, 11th overall, by the Rangers and played only three games for the Blueshirts in the 1971-72 season with one assist. The left winger did play parts of five other seasons inthe NHL.

Defenseman Stan Neckar was born on December 22, 1975 in Ceske Budejovie, Czechoslovakia.  He was acquired in a 1998  trade from Ottawa and didn’t score in 18 games for the Blueshirts in one season.   He’s best remembered for how his last name was pronounced, “Netz-cash.”

The numbers

The Rangers have played 36 games on December 22 and it is one of their better days in the month.  They have a .639 winning percentage and have lost only 10 games in regulation.

Games: 36
Regulation wins: 19
Regulation losses: 10
Ties: 5
Overtime wins: 1
Overtime losses: 1
Points percentage: .638