Wednesday, July 25, 2012

On This Date in Caps History

The Caps signed Brian Tutt. Originally a sixth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1980, Tutt was signed as a free agent on this date in 1989. He would play in seven games for the Caps in the 1989-1990 season, scoring one goal. That goal came in a 4-3 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal on October 16, 1989.

Tutt's first (and only) NHL goal was overshadowed by the antics of Dale Hunter, who scored the Capitals' first goal of the contest. Then, Hunter got into a scrap with Craig Ludwig, and when Chris Chelios came to the aid of his teammate, it cost Chelios his participation in the remainder of the game for being the third man in. Hunter then scored the game-winner in overtime, ending Montreal goalie Patrick Roy's 35-game unbeaten streak in regular season games played at home.

Not that Tutt's contribution was inconsequential. Just 12 seconds after Montreal took a 3-1 lead in the second period on a goal by Tom Chorske, Tutt got the Caps back within one with a blast from just inside the Montreal blue line. Michal Pivonka would tie the game with just over two minutes in regulation before Hunter ended it in overtime.

source: Associated Press