Today in history: April 18

Some more playoff heorics on today in history

1997: The division champion Ice open the playoffs against the Cleveland Barons, winning 6-3, with Brad Werenka’s goal providing the difference and Steve Dubinsky scoring a hat trick. Dubinsky would be called up to Chicago that night, and the Ice would drop the next three games. 

2009: Wild game in Cedar Rapids. For the third time, the Ice and Rough Riders appeared headed to overtime, with the best-of-5 series tied at two games apiece and hanging in the balance. The Ice trailed 3-1 after a period, took leads of 4-3 and 6-4, only to see Cedar Rapids rally in the third. Torey Krug scores with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, on assists from Shane Berschbach and Mike Cichy, to send the Ice into the second round. Brandon Richardson scores twice and adds two assists. Cichy has a three-point night. The Ice went on to win the Clark Cup, never facing an elimination game again. 

Birthdays

Ron Hudson: One of the original Capitals, he scored 27 goals and had 27 assists for the Caps in 1939-40, their inaugural season. Hudson was the team's leading scorer, leading them to a division championship. He was an IAHL first-team All-Star that season. He also played 34 games with the Red Wings between 1938-40. There is some confusion about Hudson's birthdate. Some sources list it as April 18, 1914 in Timmins, Ontario, others as July 14, 1911 in Calgary. 

Frank Rochon: Winger who played 76 games for the Racers in their "glory days" between 1975-77. He had 21 goals and 10 assists in that time. He is a veteran of 258 WHA games with Chicago, Denver/Ottawa and the Racers. A native of Laval, Quebec, he is 58.

Dwaine Hutton: Played 31 games and scored eight goals for the original Ice team in 1988-89. A native of Edmonton, he is 46. 
Vladimir Tsyplakov: Played 11 regular-season games and all five playoff games with the Ice in the 1992-93 season, scoring six regular-season goals. He would go on to play 331 NHL games, primarily with the Los Angeles Kings from 1996-2001. His final two seasons were spent in Buffalo. He also played for several IHL teams, most notably the Fort Wayne Komets, for whom he played after leaving Indy. A native of Moscow, he is 42.
Jeff Salajko: Backup goaltender who played three games for the Ice in 1996-97 and 1998-99. He is regarded as one of the top goaltenders in ECHL history. He has since served as a goaltending coach at Ohio State and with hockey training camps. A native of Kitchener, Ontario, he is 36.
Chris Droeske: Played six games for the Ice in their first CHL season in 1999-2000, registering one assist. A native of Ottawa, he is 43.