History Made! Columbus Wins First Playoff Victory

The Columbus Blue Jackets have won their first Stanley Cup playoff game in franchise history.

Matt Calvert scored his second goal of the game 1:10 into double overtime to give the Blue Jackets the franchise's first Stanley Cup Playoff victory, a 4-3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First Round series at Consol Energy Center.

"You always dream about being the hero in overtime," Calvert said. "We battled for it and it didn't come easy. We were down a couple goals at different times. The penalty kill was great when it had to be and it's just a great feeling right now."

Here's the full game recap.

Stanley Cup Playoff Record Holders

Let's take a look at the key individual records achieved in Stanley Cup playoff history:

MOST STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS:
11, Henri Richard, Montreal Canadiens.
10, Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens.
10, Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal Canadiens.

MOST PLAYOFF SEASONS:
23, Chris Chelios, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.
21, Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche.
20, Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers.
20, Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings.
20, Larry Murphy, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings.
20, Scott Stevens, Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils.

MOST CONSECUTIVE PLAYOFF SEASONS:
20, Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings.

MOST PLAYOFF GAMES:
236, Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers.

MOST PLAYOFF GAMES FOR A GOALTENDER:
247, Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche.

MOST PLAYOFF VICTORIES FOR A GOALTENDER:
151, Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche.

MOST SHUTOUTS IN PLAYOFFS:
23, Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche.

MOST SHUTOUTS FOR A GOALTENDER IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
7, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey in 2003.

MOST CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUTS FOR A GOALTENDER:
3, Clint Benedict, Montreal Maroons, 1926.
3, John Roach, New York Rangers, 1929.
3, Frank McCool, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1945.
3, Brent Johnson, St. Louis Blues, 2002.
3, Patrick Lalime, Ottawa Senators, 2002.
3, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 2003.

MOST POINTS SCORED IN PLAYOFFS:
382, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers.

MOST GOALS SCORED IN PLAYOFFS:
122, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers.

MOST ASSISTS SCORED IN PLAYOFFS:
260, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers.

MOST OVERTIME GOALS SCORED IN PLAYOFFS:
8, Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche.

MOST POINTS SCORED IN STANLEY CUP FINAL:
13, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, vs. Boston Bruins, 1988.

MOST GOALS SCORED IN STANLEY CUP FINAL:
9, Babe Dye, Toronto St. Pats vs Vancouver Millionaires, 1922.

MOST ASSISTS SCORED IN STANLEY CUP FINAL:
10, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, vs. Boston Bruins, 1988.

MOST POINTS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
47, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 1985.

MOST GOALS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
19, Reggie Leach, Philadelphia Flyers, 1976.
19, Jari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers, 1985.

MOST ASSISTS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
31, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 1988.

MOST POINTS SCORED BY A DEFENCEMAN IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
37, Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers, 1985.

MOST GOALS SCORED BY A DEFENCEMAN IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
12, Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers, 1985.

MOST ASSISTS SCORED BY A DEFENSEMAN IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
25, Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers, 1985.

MOST POINTS SCORED BY A ROOKIE IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
21, Dino Ciccarelli, Minnesota North Stars, 1981.

MOST GOALS SCORED BY A ROOKIE IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
14, Dino Ciccarelli, Minnesota North Stars, 1981.

MOST POINTS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF GAME:
8, Patrik Sundstrom, New Jersey Devils, vs. Washington Capitals, April 22, 1988.
8, Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, vs. Philadephia Flyers, April 25, 1989.

MOST GOALS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF GAME:
5, Newsy Lalonde, Montreal Canadiens, vs. Ottawa Senators, March 1, 1919.
5, Maurice Richard, Montreal Canadiens, vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, March 23, 1944.
5, Darryl Sittler, Toronto Maple Leafs, vs. Philadelphia Flyers, April 22, 1976.
5, Reggie Leach, Philadelphia Flyers, vs. Boston Bruins, May 6, 1976.
5, Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, vs. Philadelphia Flyers, April 25, 1989.

MOST ASSISTS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF GAME:
6, Mikko Leinonen, New York Rangers, vs. Philadelphia Flyers, April 8, 1982.
6, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, vs. Los Angeles Kings, April 9, 1987.

MOST POINTS SCORED BY A DEFENCEMAN IN A PLAYOFF GAME:
6, Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers, vs. Chicago Black Hawks, May 14, 1985.

MOST THREE-GOAL (OR MORE) GAMES IN PLAYOFFS:
10, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers.

MOST THREE-GOAL (OR MORE) GAMES IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
4, Jari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers, 1985.

MOST THREE-GOAL (OR MORE) GAMES IN A PLAYOFF SERIES:
3, Jari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers, vs. Chicago Black Hawks, 1985 conference final.

MOST EVEN-STRENGTH GOALS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF CAREER:
77, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers.

MOST GAME-WINNING GOALS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF CAREER:
24, Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers.
24, Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings.

MOST GAME-WINNING GOALS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF SERIES:
4, Mike Bossy, New York Islanders, 1983 CF vs Boston.

MOST GAME-WINNING GOALS SCORED IN A PLAYOFF SEASON:
7, Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2004.

Mark Pavelich Selling Miracle On Ice Gold Medal

News broke this week that 1980 Miracle On Ice hockey player Mark Pavelich is selling his Lake Placid gold medal.

Pavelich, who also played over 340 NHL games, insists he is not in financial trouble of any sort. The 56 year old is just looking to set up his children's future with trust funds to pay for education.

A collector who had previously acquired Mark Wells 1980 gold medal recently sold the keepsake for over $300,000. We will curiously watch to see what Pavelich's medal reaches.

So who is Mark Pavelich? Mark Pavelich entered the league as a highly talented player with good credentials.

The graduate of the University of Minnesota at Duluth, the former NCAA all star spent the 1980 season playing with the United States national team, and earned a spot on the Olympic team. With 1 goal and 7 points in 7 Olympic games, Mark played a nice role in the USA's upset gold medal victory.

Despite his early successes, Pavelich did not jump to the NHL right away. Despite free agent offers, Pavelch opted to play the year over in Switzerland with HC Lugano. He also played for Team USA in the world championships.

The New York Rangers were finally able to ink Pavelich to a deal in the summer of 1981. He paid immediate dividends. He scored 33, 37 and 39 goals in his first 3 seasons, as well as 76, 75 and 82 points. Pavelich had an injury troubled 1984-85 season, breaking his leg in just the second game of the season. However Pavelich still managed 45 points in 48 games.

Despite his small size (5'8", 170lbs), Pavelich had overcome all odds and established himself as a top line NHLer. He obviously had the offensive gifts, but was also a good two way player. And what he lacked in physical presence he more than made up for in speed and skill.

"He's our best two way hockey player" boasted coach Herb Brooks, who also coached Pavelich in the Olympics. "He's our Bryan Trottier."

However Pavelich was never high on the NHL lifestyle. And when the Rangers hired Ted Sator as head coach in 1985-86. Sator and Pavelich did not see eye to eye, and engaged in a very public dispute.

"They don't know what they are doing" said Pavelich at the time of Sator and his coaching staff. "And I don't understand their thinking at all."

After one tumultuous season under Sator, Pavelich decided he didn't want to put up with the headaches and just upped and quit.

"That (the relationship with Sator) would be the number one reason why I decided to retire."

Towards the end of the 1985-86 season the Rangers traded Pavelich to his home-state Minnesota North Stars. Marty came out of retirement, though it wasn't so much to return to the National Hockey League. He was thinking of his hockey future, which he knew would lead him to Europe.

"I still had to stay in the limelight to get a good contract overseas." said Pavelich.

Pavelich ended up signing with HC Bolzano, which also featured former NHL superstar Kent Nilsson, former Edmonton Oiler farm hand Mike Zanier and coached by former NHLer Ron Chipperfield.

"He's played unbelievable" said Chipperfield at the time. "He plays both ends of the rink well. I've used him against the top lines and he's shutting them down."

"The way he's playing here, you can see he could still be playing in the NHL and be playing well."

Pavelich enjoyed the lifestyle in Italy.

"There are a lot less hassles over here" said Pavelich, who was a happy go lucky kind of guy who enjoyed fishing and playing guitar as much as hockey.

Plus the hockey schedule was favorable to Pavelich's liking as well - two games a week

Pavelich played until 1989. After taking a couple of years off, Pavelich made a surprise come back attempt with the expansion San Jose Sharks. However the stint lasted only 2 games. He however was able to post the first assist in San Jose Sharks history.

Stanley Cup: It's Out Of This World

At least that's what I assume this 1979 issue of Goal Magazine is insinuating.

This Date In Stanley Cup History

April 19, 1947 • After assisting on defenseman Vic Lynn’s goal at 5:39 of the second period to tie the game at one goal apiece, Toronto Maple Leafs center Ted “Teeder” Kennedy scored the Cup-winner at 14:39 of the third period to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in Game Six. The series-ending victory earned Toronto.

History Made! Russian Goalies Face Off

Some History Made from last night's NHL playoff action:

• I was quite surprised to hear this one during the broadcast. The opening game between Minnesota and Colorado featured the first time in NHL playoff history to Russian goaltenders started against each other. Colorado's Semyon Varlamov emerged victorious over Minnesota's Ilya Bryzgalov 5-4 in overtime.
• That same game saw Colorado super rookie Nathan MacKinnon record 3 assists in his first Stanley Cup playoff game. MacKinnon assisted on both of Paul Stastny's goals, including the overtime-forcing goal with 13 seconds left and the game winner in OT.
• I read somewhere that MacKinnon equalled the record for most assists by a player in his first playoff game. I have heard conflicting reports that the mark is shared by either 3 or 8 players. I will have to dig on that later.
• According to Elias Sports, Stastny became the first player in NHL playoff history to score the overtime forcing goal with less than 15 seconds and also score the game winning goal.