Today in history: December 26

December 26 in Indianapolis hockey history

1950: One of the original Capitals, Joe Carveth, is sent back to Indianapolis to play out the 1950-51 season. He would score 18 goals in the balance of the year, helping lead the Caps to their final playoff appearance.

1998: Andrei Trefilov makes an astounding 55 saves, but the Ice fall to the Chicago Wolves 3-1. 

Today in history: November 10

Today in Indianapolis hockey history, November 10

1939: The Coliseum opens and Indianapolis sees hockey played for the first time. A packed house of 9,193 -- including 797 in standing-room seats -- shows up to see this new arena and this new sport. The rink is a bit slow from sawdust from the construction, and Capitals coach Herb Lewis is complaining to rink management that the outer wall that surrounds the rink floor was painted maroon -- therefore making it difficult for goaltenders to see the puck in the air (today, it is painted white, just as Lewis requested 72 years ago). The Capitals defeat the Syracuse Stars 5-1. Jimmy Franks posts the win in net, Ron Hudson scores twice, Joe Carveth has a goal and an assist. Don Deacon scord the first goal in the Coliseum on an assist from Eddie Bush at 9:35 of the first period. Capitals defenseman Alex Motter took the first penalty. Today, the Coliseum -- renamed the Pepsi Coliseum in 1990 -- is one of the oldest buildings still in use by an active hockey team in the United States, as the home of the USHL Indiana Ice. 

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.