Longest Nhl Hockey Game In History
One of the most thrilling events in NHL history was the longest ice hockey game played in the league. It was an epic battle between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons that took place more than 80 years ago. This game is a part of NHL folklore and has been recounted countless times by hockey enthusiasts.
The Teams, the Date, and the Venue
The game was played on March 24, 1936, at the Montreal Forum in Quebec, Canada. The Detroit Red Wings was a team that had been founded in 1926 and was already a well-established franchise by the time of the game. The Montreal Maroons, on the other hand, was a team that had been founded in 1924 and had already won two Stanley Cup championships by the time of the game.
The Game
The game between the Red Wings and the Maroons was a Stanley Cup playoff game. The rules of the game were different back then, and teams did not have access to modern amenities such as Gatorade and power bars. The players' equipment was also much less advanced than today's equipment.
The game started at 8:30 p.m. local time and ended at 2:25 a.m. The game was tied at the end of regulation time, and the teams continued to play until someone scored a goal. However, the game went on and on, and no one scored. The players on both teams were exhausted, as they had been skating for hours without a break.
The Overtime Periods
The game went into overtime, and the first overtime period lasted 20 minutes. Neither team scored, and the game continued. The second overtime period also lasted 20 minutes, and again, no one scored. The third overtime period was 10 minutes long, and once again, neither team scored.
After three overtime periods, the game was declared a tie. The game had lasted for a total of 176 minutes and 30 seconds, making it the longest NHL game ever played. The game was such a grueling battle that the Red Wings and Maroons players were hospitalized after the game due to exhaustion.
The Aftermath
After the game, the NHL changed its rules to prevent similar situations from happening in the future. The league introduced new rules that would limit the length of the game to three periods, with a 10-minute overtime period added if the game was tied at the end of the third period.
The longest NHL game ever played between the Red Wings and the Maroons was an exciting event that hockey fans will never forget. The game was a testament to the players' stamina, determination, and skill. While the NHL now has rules in place to avoid such a lengthy game, the Red Wings vs. Maroons game will always be remembered as an iconic moment in hockey history.
