Today in history: April 11

Let's look back

1990: The Ice win their first-ever playoff game, beating the Peoria Rivermen 6-3 in front of 4,070 at the Coliseum. Bob Bassen scores the game-winning goal and Jim Waite backstops the game in net (1990). 

Lots of birthdays today

Andy Branigan: Defenseman who was a member of the Capitals in 1945-46 upon returning from WWII. He tallied four goals, 17 assists and 71 PIMs. Prior to serving, he played 26 NHL games for the New York/Brooklyn Americans, and after his stint in Indy, played 14 more years professionally, most in the AHL with the Hershey Bears and Providence Reds. Born in Winnipeg in 1922, he passed away in 1995.

Gordon Haidy: Right wing, played three seasons for the Capitals from 1948-51, totaling 154 games, 60 goals and 38 assists. His best year was a 26-goal season in 1950-51. He also totaled five goals in the 1950 Calder Cup playoffs to lead the Caps to an eight-game sweep of the postseason. He also played a handful of games for the Chiefs in 1960-61 at the end of his career. His claim to fame is that he played one game in the Stanley Cup semifinals for the Detroit Red Wings in 1950, which was his only NHL game. He is one of three players whose only NHL appearance was a postseason game. One of the others was 1950 Caps teammate Doug McKay. Both were part of two championship teams -- the Calder Cup and Stanley Cup champs that year. He was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1928, and passed away in 2004.

Peter Jas: Winger from Presov, Slovakia who joined the Ice for their inaugural CHL season. He and brother Jan teamed up on the second line to help lead the Ice to the Miron Cup championship that year. He totaled 10 goals and 25 assists in the regular season, but then had 7 goals and 5 assists in 15 playoff games. He played a total of two seasons with the Ice, tallying 18 regular-season goals. He was born in 1974 and turns 37 today.

Terry Sargent: Winger who played three games and scored one goal for the IHL Checkers in 1984-85. Born in Edmonton, he is now 48.

Chris Norton: Played eight games for the Ice in 1991-92. After one more season with Phoenix, he had a long career in Europe. Born in Oakville, Ontario, he is now 46.