Today in history: November 4

November 4 in Indianapolis hockey history

1939: The Indianapolis Capitals play the first game in Indianapolis hockey history and beat the Hershey Bears 4-3. The first goal was scored by Joe Carveth (unassisted) at 12:00 of the first period. Byron “Bucko” McDonald had the game-winner, and Jimmy Franks had the win in goal. The game also marks the debut of the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum, which would be renamed the Pepsi Coliseum in 1990 and, 72 years later, is still the home of hockey in Indianapolis. 

1943: John Sorrell joins the Capitals as coach in 1943. He had been hired weeks before, and needed to arrange care for his young children, so Carson Cooper coached the first few games. A player/coach, he scored the game-tying goal in a 1-1 draw at Buffalo.

1950: The Capitals break a 9-game winless streak to start the year (0-8-1) by beating the Cleveland Barons 6-1. Gerry Reid would score twice and Fred Glover would have three assists. Two games later, goaltender Bill Brennan would be replaced by 30-year-old veteran “Sugar” Jim Henry, who would lead the Caps to a 38-29-3 record and soon be back in the NHL. 

1956: The Chiefs win their franchise-record seventh straight game, beating the powerful Cincinnati Mohawks 5-2. Marc Boileau scores two goals and adds an assist.