Today in history: October 29

October 29 in Indianapolis hockey history

1978: Wayne Gretzky plays his final game as a Racer in a 3-3 tie at Winnipeg. The previous night, he played his final game at Market Square Arena, registering no points, but helping the team win 3-2 over the Winnipeg Jets. Rich Leduc, Michel Parizeau and Blaine Stoughton score for the Racers. 

Birthdays

Johnny Mowers: Capitals goaltender for two games in 1947-48. He allowed seven goals in those two games. He had been a regular for the Detroit Red Wings during WWII, playing 152 NHL games, primarily from 1940-43, before enlisting in WWII. He led the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup in 1943 and to a seven-game loss in the finals in 1942. He was also the Vezina Trophy winner and the NHL First Team All-Star Goaltender in the 1943 championship year. He retired after his short stint with the Capitals. A native of Niagara Falls, Ont., he was born in 1916. He passed away in 1995. 

Ed Dyck: Racers goaltender during the 1974-75 season, where he saw the expansion team post a 3-21-3 record in front of him. He had a 4.36 GAA. Dyck played 49 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks before joining the Racers in 1974, often splitting time between Vancouver and its WHL affiliate in Seattle. Dyck became one of the first players to effectively be traded to a European club -- when the Racers signed Leif Holmqvist from Sweden, they sent Dyck to his Swedish club in return  A native of Warman, Sask., he is 61. 

Today in history: April 9

It's a busy day in Indianapolis hockey history

1950: Capitals beat Cleveland 4-3 in front of 6.922 at the Coliseum to take a 3-0 lead in the Calder Cup Finals. Pat Lundy breaks a 2-2 tie with a shot that bounced off Johnny Bower’s skate and into the net. Gordon Haidy later added an insurance goal that begame the game-winner. 

1974: The Indianapolis Racers sign goaltender Ed Dyck, their first player.

1977: Gene Peacoch scores at 8:30 of the third overtime -- and at 108:30, ends the longest game in WHA history (and Indianapolis hockey history) by giving the Racers a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Stingers in the Riverfront Coliseum. The Racers would go on to sweep the heavily-favored Stingers 4-0. Peacosh’s goal was a rebound goal after Mark Lomenda’s shot caromed wildly and was kicked out by goaltender Norm Lapointe. It was 1:16 a.m. when the game ended. Reggie Thomas sent the game to OT with a goal with 1:04 remaining. Paul Hoganson made 56 saves for the Racers. 

1982: The Checkers register a three-game sweep of the Tulsa Oilers, winning 6-1, en route to their first Adams Cup title.

1983: The Checkers’ second Adams Cup run gets off to a thrilling start, as Scott Howson scores 6:08 into OT to beat the Salt Lake Golden Eagles 5-4. Howson's goal completed a hat trick on his 23rd birthday. He also had an assist. 

Birthdays

Michel Parizeau: Veteran of 190 games with the Racers from 1975-79, and 561 NHL/WHA games. He scored 48 goals in his four seasons in Indianapolis, and was a key part of both of the Racers' playoff teams. A native of Montreal, Parizeau was born in 1948 and is now 63. 

Scott Howson: The Toronto native and current Columbus Blue Jackets general manager turns 51 today. He played 146 games for the Checkers over three seasons from 1981-84, and was a part of the 1983 Adams Cup championship team. He scored 12 goals and had 21 points in the 1983 CHL Playoffs, and scored 34 goals in both 1982-83 and 1983-84 with the Checkers. Howson is one of several ex-Checkers currently in NHL management roles, and one of two former Checkers players (Sabres GM Darcy Regier is the other) currently serving as an NHL general manager.

Kerry Toporowski: "Topper" was an Ice tough guy from 1991-94, amassing 389 PIMs and scoring two goals in 67 games for the Ice. A native of Paddockwood, Saskatchewan, he turns 40 today.

Derek Young: Played two games for the Ice in 2001-02. Born in Whitby, Ontario, turns 35. 

Mike Blundon: Defenseman who played 50 games for the USHL Ice in 2006-07, totalling 11 assists and 50 PIMs. He went on to play collegiately in Canada for two years. Native of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec. He is now 24.