33 Years Ago in Leafland; April 18, 1987

 Spring of 1987. The Maple Leafs went on an improbable playoff run. They got to within a game of meeting the mighty Edmonton Oilers in the Campbell Conference Finals. I was a 15 year-old hockey mad kid enjoying the fortunes of my favourite team. What better time than now to look back at this memorable time of my youth and Leafs history.
"That's their problem," is what Maple Leafs coach John Brophy said regarding his opponent, Detroit Red Wings nine-day layoff since before game one of the Norris Final. The Leafs will have had four days rest and he continued,  "I don't think we'll have any trouble with that. Our team is in excellent shape." Goalie Ken Wregget figured the Wings layoff will help the Leafs, "They might be lacking a little game experience. I think we'll do fine with four days rest." Officially, Brophy claims he hasn't made up his mind as to which goalie will start against Detroit, "I'll make that decision early next week." Toronto won the season series with Detroit 5-2-1 and Allan Bester was in net for all but three minutes in the eight games. In Wregget's only start against the Wings he was pulled after allowing two goals on four shots. In reality however, there is zero chance that Bester starts. Since beating Edmonton on March 28, Wregget has a 7-4 record, a 2.13 goals against average and a save percentage of .925.
As usual, special teams will be a huge factor in the Norris Final. Detroit was perfect penalty killing against Chicago, going 17 for 17. They also have the second best power play in the playoffs, scoring 4 times in 15 opportunities. The Leafs on the other hand scored only 2 power play goals on 28 chances. On that, Brophy said, "Our power play will be all right. It's been getting chances. And when you do that, they're going to start going in."
Over in Vienna, Austria at the World Championships, Team Canada defeated USA in their first game by a score of 3-1 with solid goaltending from National team member Sean Burke. Goals came from Troy Murray, Barry Pederson and Al Secord. Canada hopes to have the newly-arriving Kevin Dineen in time to play Czechoslovakia today. Soon after, they all also get Rangers goalie Bob Froese, and defencemen Paul Reinhart and James Patrick.
Al Secord

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