Grand moments
December 4th, 1943
DURNAN'S BIG DEBUT
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On December 4, 1943, rookie goaltender Bill Durnan gave the kind of performance fans had come expect from him, backstopping the Canadiens to an 8-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The win also prolonged a 14-game unbeaten streak that had begun with his first NHL appearance on opening night.
Setting a record that would last until Pittsburgh’s Patrick Lalime bettered it in 1996-97, Durnan was beaten only 27 times, helping the Canadiens to an 11-0-3 record.
Reputedly the only ambidextrous goaltender in NHL history, Durnan finished the regular season with a 38-5-7 record, allowed an average of 2.18 goals per game and was named the Vézina Trophy winner, the first of his six mentions. The 38 victories he posted has been the mark to beat for rookie NHL goaltenders for over 60 years.
Setting a record that would last until Pittsburgh’s Patrick Lalime bettered it in 1996-97, Durnan was beaten only 27 times, helping the Canadiens to an 11-0-3 record.
Reputedly the only ambidextrous goaltender in NHL history, Durnan finished the regular season with a 38-5-7 record, allowed an average of 2.18 goals per game and was named the Vézina Trophy winner, the first of his six mentions. The 38 victories he posted has been the mark to beat for rookie NHL goaltenders for over 60 years.