On this day in Canadian history, in 1928, Eileen Vollick became the first licensed female pilot in Canada.
Vollick, a Hamilton native, enrolled in the Elliot Air Service Flying School in 1927, where she mastered her flight training on a Curtiss JN-4, a First World War-era biplane known as a Jenny.
Vollick carried out all of her flight training during the winter months, using the frozen waters of Lake Ontario as a landing pad. As a result, her Jenny was equipped with skis, and aviation historian, Frank H. Ellis, has suggested that she was the first woman in North America, and probably the world, to fly a ski-equipped aircraft.
Ottawa Senators at New York Islanders, 7 p.m.
2014-15 Records: OTT 31-24-11 (6th in the Atlantic); NYI 43-22-4 (2nd in the Metropolitan)
Leading Scorers: Erik Karlsson (18G, 35A); John Tavares (33G, 39A)
Before losing to Boston earlier this week, Ottawa was on a nine-game point streak, which included five straight wins. They are doing their best to stay in the hunt for the East’s final wildcard playoff spot, but still remain seven points back. After thumping the Canadiens last night, this evening’s game against the Islanders will be pivotal. Unfortunately, like most NHL teams, the Senators don’t fare particularly well in back-to-back contests; they are 8-8-4 in consecutive games this season.
Prediction: New York by 1
Edmonton Oilers at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
2014-15 Records: EDM 18-39-11 (7th in the Pacific); CBJ 29-34-4 (7th in the Metropolitan)
Leading Scorers: Jordan Eberle (17G, 33A); Nick Foligno (24G, 35A)
We can probably expect a barnburner tonight in Columbus. In 30 meetings over the last 10 years, the Oilers and the Blue Jackets have combined for 178 goals; that’s roughly six goals per game. Overall, Edmonton has the edge in the series, they are 17-9-4 against the Blue Jackets since 2005 and have outscored them 104 to 74. However, this is a homer series and the Oilers are 6-6-3 when playing in Columbus.
Prediction: Columbus by 1
Toronto Maple Leafs at Calgary Flames, 8 p.m.
2014-15 Records: TOR 27-35-6 (7th in the Atlantic); CGY 37-25-5 (3rd in the Pacific)
Leading Scorers: Phil Kessel (23G, 29A); Jiri Hudler (24G, 33A)
When the Flames lost their captain and then-leading scorer, Mark Giordano, on Feb. 25, many were penning the obituary for Calgary’s playoff chances. However, in his absence, the team has gone 4-1-1 and continues to defy the odds and analytics this year. Calgary is one of the worst possession teams in the league, but they continue to win games. They actually maintain the puck less often than the Leafs. Yes, the Leafs! The wheels will have to fall off for Calgary at some point, right?
Prediction: Calgary by 1
Last Minute of Play:
Vollick did not opt to make a career of flying. She continued to work as a textile analyst, but still pursued aerobatic flying and even skydiving. According to Shirley Render, Vollick was also the first woman in Canada to parachute into water, a feat she accomplished in the summer of 1928. Eileen Vollick certainly blazed a trail into Canadian aviation history by breaking the gender barrier and setting a significant precedent for future female pilots. Most notably, Deanna Brasseur and Jane Foster, similarly made history in 1989 when they became Canada’s first women to graduate from the rigorous CF-18 jet fighter program.
Current Record: 5-5
