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.