Today In NHL History - Schoenfeld's Yellow Sunday

On May 8th in 1988, replacement referees dressed in New Jersey Devils Cooperalls and yellow jerseys took the ice at Brendan Byrne Arena for Game 4 of the 1988 Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins when NHL officials exited in protest of a court-order injunction staying John Ziegler's suspension of Jim Schoenfeld.

The one game suspension emanated from a post-game altercation between Devils head coach Schoenfeld and Game 3 referee Don Koharski where incidental contact between with the two caused the referee to slip and remark "you're done" to which the bench boss retorted "you fell you fat pig, have another doughnut".

The incident was famously parodied four years later in Saturday Night Live star and renowned hockey fan Mike Myers' movie Wayne's World in which Frederick Coffin played Officer Koharski, a character who frequented the film's fictional coffee shop named Stan Mikita's Donuts.

The Devils beat the Bruins that night by a score of 3-1 but eventually lost the series in Game 7. Shoenfeld was suspended for Game 5 and received a $1,000 fine while the Devils were docked $10,000. Koho and Schony later became good friends despite the doughnut diet indignity.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Bure Elbows Churla

On May 4th in 1994, Vancouver Canucks superstar Pavel Bure blindsided Dallas Stars forward Shane Churla with an unpenalized elbow to the head sending a message to the Stars Goon-In-Chief for his teammates' shenanigans.
The Canucks won Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinal 3-0 on the back of Bure's two goals, eventually taking the series 4-1. Churla refused to shake Bure's hand at the end of the series and vowed revenge. The NHL fined Bure $500 but did not suspend him for the incident.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Luongo's Playoff Poop

On May 3rd in 2007, Vancouver Canucks backup backstop Dany Sabourin surprised everyone, including GM Dave Nonis, starting the overtime period against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals in place of netminder Roberto Luongo.

Originally thought to be an equipment issue, Luongo later revealed his absence had more to do with plumbing than padding admitting that he was suffering from untimely diarrhea. A subsequent tweet and explanation on CBC's After Hours confirmed that Lu was in the loo.  Anaheim beat Vancouver 2-1 in double overtime, taking the series 4-1 and eventually winning the Stanley Cup against the Ottawa Senators.

That's today in NHL history.

* See also Today In NHL History - Luongo's Stick Gets Stuck.
* See also Today In NHL History - Luongo Trade (FLA-VAN).
* See also Today In NHL History - Luongo Trade (NYI-FLA).
* See also Roberto Luongo Interview - 2011 NHL Awards.
* See also Roberto Luongo Interview - 2009 NHL Awards.

Today In NHL History - Domi Elbows Niedermayer

On May 3rd in 2001, Toronto Maple Leafs bruiser Tie Domi delivered a vicious elbow to the head of New Jersey Devils blueliner Scott Niedermayer rendering him unconscious. The cheapshot came with 7 seconds to play in Game 4 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals with Toronto up 3-1.
Despite a tearful apology, Domi was suspended for rest of the playoffs and the first eight games of the next regular season. Toronto won the next game to take a 3-2 series lead, only to be eliminated by New Jersey in 7 games.

That's today in NHL history.

* See also Today In NHL History - Tie Domi Fights Fan.