Canadian ice hockey player Vic Hadfield of the New York Rangers on the ice during a game, 1960s or early 1970s. (Photo by Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images)
What happened on April 2 in the history of the New York Rangers
On this date in 1972 Vic Hadfield became the first Ranger to reach the 50 goal mark. He had to score twice in the final game of the season in order to do it. He also did with a heavily bandaged dislocated thumb. He had torn ligaments in his thumb in the previous game.
The Rangers lost the game 6-5 to the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden, but they reebounded from a 4-1 deficit to pull within one goal.