MSG marks anniversary of goalie mask; Monty Hall was there!
Henrik Lundqvist looks on during a game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. (April 21, 2013) Credit: Jim McIsaac
MSG will mark Friday's 54th anniversary of the debut of the goaltender mask in the NHL - and the mask-friendly Halloween holiday - with a daylong celebration Thursday, culminating after the Sabres-Rangers game with a showing of the 2009 NHL Network documentary "50 Years Behind the Mask."
The celebration starts at noon with programming about past and present goalies, interspersed with short segments featuring local netminders talking about their masks. (See full schedule below.)
Jacques Plante of the Canadiens introdcued the mask to the NHL on Nov. 1, 1959. The Rangers' radio analyst for the game was . . . Monty Hall. Yes, that Monty Hall.
Here is a story I wrote earlier this year in which Mr. Hall recalls that historic night and what he said on the air at the time.
MSG Network “Masked Men” Marathon Schedule
12:00 p.m. “10 to One: Greatest Goalies”
12:30 p.m. “Ranger #1: Giacomin”
1:00 p.m. “Ranger #35: Richter”
1:30 p.m. “Ranger #30: Lundqvist”
2:00 p.m. “Halls of Fame Classics: Martin Brodeur”
2:30 p.m. “10 to One: Greatest Goalies”
3:00 p.m. “The Game 365: Eddie Giacomin”
3:30 p.m. “The Game 365: Ryan Miller”
4:00 p.m. “The Game 365: Mike Richter”
4:30 p.m. “The Game 365: Martin Brodeur”
5:00 p.m. “The Game 365: Henrik Lundqvist – Part 1”
5:30 p.m. “The Game 365: Henrik Lundqvist – Part 2”
6:00 p.m. “The Game 365: Henrik Lundqvist – Part 3” (Premiere)
6:30 p.m. “Visa Rangers Game Night”
7:00 p.m. New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres
9:30 p.m. “Mercedes Rangers Postgame Show”
10:00 p.m. 50 Years Behind The Mask
