OTD in Jets History Oct 10, 1979 It is opening night in the National Hockey League for the Winnipeg Jets and for CKND. Jets begin their inaugural NHL season v Penguins losing 4-2. Morris Lukowich with Jets’ first NHL goal deflecting puck past Greg Millen off a shot by Peter Marsh
OTD in Blue Bombers History Oct 10, 2005 and a forgettable season is suddenly made memorable on this Thanksgiving Day Monday by Milt Stegall. The 35 year old ‘Turtle Man’ schooled BC Lions DB Tony Tiller hauling in 4 passes from Kevin Glenn for 234 yards and 4 TDs in 44-23 win
OTD in Jets History Oct 9, 1981 a night of firsts for rookie Dale Hawerchuk. He gets the first two goals and first two assists of his HHoF career. Hawerchuk beats NY Rangers Steve Baker after 54 seconds for first goal and first assist came on goal by Norm DuPont as Jets won 8-3
OTD in Blue Bombers History Oct 8, 1984 its Thanksgiving Day and 28,025 went home fully satisfied. Bombers feasting on the Stampeders 46 to 8 scoring touchdowns on their first five possessions. Willard Reaves had 3 TDs and broke Mack Herron’s record for yards rushing in a season
OTD in Jets History Oct 8, 1992. Every great journey begins with a small step. For the ‘Finnish Flash’ Teemu Selanne his charge to a NHL rookie record 76 goals started with a power play effort v SJ Sharks goalie Jeff Hackett. Also the first of Teemu’s 24 PPGs in 1992/93 season
OTD in Blue Bombers History Oct 7, 2011 the Bombers lock down a playoff spot for first time since 2008. Two big plays highlighted 33-17 win v Tiger-Cats as Greg Carr took a short pass from Buck Pierce for a 59 Yd TD and Brandon Stewart had a 83 Yd interception return for a TD
OTD in Jets History Oct 6, 1988. Start of a new season and first NHL game of 1,372 for Teppo Numminen. A memorable debut as Teppo scored his 1st goal on his 1st shot as Jets tied the Canucks at 2. It took Numminen 90 more games and 104 shots before he scored his 2nd NHL goal
OTD in Jets History Oct 4, 1990. It’s the season opener and Maple Leafs are in town. Dave Ellett leads the Jets to 7-1 victory with 2 goals and 2 assists. (Highlights are of his 2 goals) Ellett’s 4 points are the most ever in a season opener by any Jet in 1.0 or 2.0 NHL History
OTD in Blue Bombers History Oct 2, 1993 Matt Dunigan passed for four TDs while Sammy Garza and Tom Porras had one each as they took the stripes off the Tiger-Cats 61-10. Win clinched first place in the East. Gerald’s Wilcox and Alphin with 2 TDs and Elfrid Payton did his TD dance
OTD in Jets History Sep 28, 1979. First Jets NHL season and in their 5th exhibition game they beat Vancouver 4-3 as rookie goalie Lindsay Middlebrook made 21 saves. Never drafted he wrote letters to 18 NHL teams looking for a chance. Every team but the Canucks replied kindly.
Congratulations to Mike O’Shea. Counting regular season, playoff and Grey Cups the Blue Bombers win v the RedBlacks was #123 for O’Shea. That’s one more win than the ‘Silver Fox’ Bud Grant had. Making O’Shea the winningest head coach in Blue Bombers history. Bravo Coach O’Shea
OTD in Blue Bombers History Sep 24, 1978. Bombers extend winning streak to 5 games beating the Lions 32-25. Ralph Brock tosses 4 touchdown passes in the victory. Two to #70 Mike Holmes and two to #71 rookie Joe Poplawski. Streak reached six with another win v Lions the next week
OTD in Jets History Sep 20, 1988 and Randy Gilhen is looking make his hometown team. Drafted by Hartford he was a Jets FA signing in ‘85. He scored 120 goals in the minors before earning full time NHL employment in 1988-89. This night Gilhen had GWG in 3-1 exhibition win v Flames
OTD in Blue Bombers History Sep 19, 1995. 30 years ago this night Milt Stegall played his first CFL game as WFC and CFHoF career began. Late in game v Stampeders QB Kevin McDougal passed to @MiltStegallTSN who dove into end zone for the first of his CFL record 147 touchdowns
OTD in Blue Bombers History Sep 12, 2004 it’s the inaugural Banjo Bowl and Charles Roberts loved the Roughriders. “It’s like my birthday every time I play them.” Roberts was electric rushing for 159 Yds in 27-24 win. Bombers were 16-0 when Charles ran for over a hundred yards
OTD in Blue Bombers History Sep 11, 1988. A Grey Cup preview with the Lions at the Stadium. Special Teams highlight 34-8 win as Trevor Kennerd recovers blocked FG. Rod Hill make smart play on a kickoff and Brad Tierney recovers Lions onside kickoff.
OTD in Jets History Sep 11, 1994. Who says you can never go home again. Teemu Selanne returns to Finland as Jets win International Challenge. Selanne with GWG in 5-3 victory over IFK. Keith Tkachuk had the insurance goal as Jets players and staff spilt $35,000 first prize money.
OTD in Blue Bombers History Sep 1, 1980 a true Labour Day Classic v Roughriders with the game actually played on a Monday. Dieter Brock passed for 328 Yds and 3 TDs. Game was tied late in 4th QTR when Roughriders 4th turnover led to short Trevor Kennerd field goal for 32-29 win
OTD in Jets History Sep 1, 1978 Jets sign 4 players from defunct Houston Aeros franchise. Inking five-year deals with (D) Scott Campbell and (F)Terry Ruskowski and Morris Lukowich. Rich Preston was already under contract. All were instrumental in Jets ‘79 Avco Cup Championship
OTD in Blue Bombers History Aug 31, 1997 head coach Jeff Reinebold’s first season. Most memorable game the Labour Day weekend victory v Roughriders. Dexter Dawson’s punt return TD and Jocelyn Borgella’s 112 Yd interception return on Riders 2 pt convert highlighted a 43-12 win
OTD in Blue Bombers History Aug 29, 1959 a full week before the actual Labour Day weekend the Bombers with a record setting effort v Roughriders. QB Jim Van Pelt throws 7 TD passes and WR Ernie Pitts catches 5 TD passes in 61-8 romp. Both new CFL records. Pitts’ mark still stands
OTD in Blue Bombers History Aug 28, 1993 a comfortable 35-11 victory for the Blue and Gold over the Tiger-Cats. A win highlighted by Bob Cameron’s punt into the end zone and Earl Winfield’s misstep that led directly to Blue Bombers last touchdown score by Michael Richardson
OTD in Blue Bombers History Aug 27, 1980. Bombers in middle of an eight game winning streak as they beat the Roughriders 24-16. Key moments of this victory was a Leo Ezerins interception off a John Hufnagel pass that was followed by a Dieter Brock to Mike Holmes touchdown pass.
OTD in Blue Bombers History Aug 26, 1966 Leo Lewis, hampered by a painful left knee, retired. After 12 years with the club he said “it had to come to an end sometime.” A 7 time all-star Lewis scored 75 TDs. Bud Grant said of Lewis “he was the best running back I’ve ever seen .”
OTD in Blue Bombers History Aug 25, 1985 a blowout win for Blue and Gold as they pounded the Stampeders 43-6. One of the many highlights from this game was Tom Clements becoming the 3rd CFL player to reach the 30,000-yard mark in passing joining Ron Lancaster and Dieter Brock
