33 Years Ago in Leafland; March 31, 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.
"We weren't busting the way we were in the other two games. We didn't get anything positive going at the start of the game," Leaf coach John Brophy is quoted after loss in Landover to the Washington Capitals. The Caps jumped out to a 3-0 lead halfway through the game and coasted home to a 4-2 win, a final score that flattered the Leafs. Two goals by Bobby Gould and two helpers from defenceman Scott Stevens paced the Capitals. Bob Mason bested Ken Wregget in the nets.
Rick Vaive was questioned after the game whether the Leafs were guilty of looking ahead to the weekend games with Chicago, "I don't think so. If we'd won this one it would have been a backbreaker for one of them (Hawks or North Stars). If we'd won it would have put us in." Vaive concluded, "We just have to wait for the weekend, now. It's in our own hands. Win two and we're in."
Capitals left-winger Craig Laughlin, who scored the eventual game-winner in this game said he was surprised at the Leafs effort,"After watching their game against Winnipeg on tape, I expected a lot more tempo out of them. They're an excellent skating team. Watching them in Winnipeg, it seemed Russ Courtnall had the puck all night. But tonight even he was holding and hooking.When they play like that it helps us."
1986/87 was certainly a breakout season for the 21 year-old native of Duncan, BC, Russ Courtnall. In this his third full season, Courtnall would end up leading the Leafs with 73 points. I remember watching Rusty back then and being excited, for his present and for his future as Maple Leaf star. A Toronto draft pick, 7th overall, highly touted out of junior. I'd say, Mitch Marner reminds me of Courtnall back in '87. Smaller, shifty, great hands, hard working. Unfortunately, the 86/87 season was pretty much the pinnacle of his Leaf career. After producing 49 and 41 points in each of the next to seasons, Courtnall started 1988/89 with two points in his first nine games. Newly appointed Leaf GM, Gord Stellick traded him to Montreal for enforcer John Kordic and a 6th round pick. He would play ten more seasons, three with more than 75 points.
Toronto now had just two games remaining, a back-to-back set with Chicago on the final weekend of the season. At least it would be exciting.

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