33 Years Ago in Leafland; April 17, 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.
"Same thing happened last year. I had played 30 of 70 games (with the St. Catherines farm club, which Brophy coached). Then, I sat the last ten. It was Ken who went up to the Leafs for the playoffs." explained Leaf goaltender Allan Bester. His last start this season was March 21 at Montreal when the Leafs lost 9-4, he then played a meaningless period at Chicago, April 5. Bester shutout the Red Wings twice in November but Wregget is the man for coach John Brophy. Wregget posted a 1.79 goals against average and a save percentage of .935 in the first round against St. Louis, the odds of Bester getting a start in the next round are slim.
Detroit coach Jacques Demers predicts, "a long, physical, low-scoring series" in the Norris Division Final. He continued, "It won't be a stupid physical series, but a bumping, grinding series like the ones between ourselves and Chicago, and the Maple Leafs and St. Louis." He added, "I was really impressed with the Maple Leafs. Their total team defence was excellent. However, I can't say I was surprised. I believe Broph and myself think along the same lines. There will be no sweep in this series"
On the out-of-town scoreboard tonight, there were still four series going. Winnipeg demolished Calgary at the Winnipeg Arena by a score of 6-1 to advance to the second round for the second time in franchise history. Rookie Jets goalie Daniel Berthiaume turned aside 34 of 35 shots while Doug Smail scored two goals and Dave Ellett had three assists.
At Naussau Coliseum, the Islanders staved off elimination and sent their series with Washington to a seventh and deciding game with a 5-4 win. Kelly Hrudey outlasted Bob Mason in net, as Pat Lafointaine led the way with two goals and a helper. The Flyers knocked out the Rangers with a convincing 5-0 win at Madison Square Garden. Rookie goalie Ron Hextall posted his second shutout of the series. The final game of the night saw Quebec oust the upstart Hartford Whalers with a 5-4 overtime win in game 6. Peter Stastny scored his 6th goal of the series six minutes into the extra frame to send the Nords off to play the Montreal Canadiens in round two.







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