1993 Leafs

I read an article on sportsnet regarding whether Canadian hockey fans consider reaching but losing in the conference finals a "success". The article discusses the Leafs' runs of the early 90's extensively. I wrote this in the comments section on the story, but thought I'd share it here as well.

The Leafs' 1993 run isn't memorable just because the Leafs got to the conference final. That run is memorable because of the quality of the games played and the drama associated with each round.

Round 1: Leafs fall behind 2-0 to Detroit before coming back and winning a dramatic game 7 in OT at the Joe on a goal by the dimunitive Nikolai Borchevsky.

Round 2: Leafs vs. Cujo - The Gilmour double OT goal from behind the net is one of the most memorable in Leafs history and set the scene for a hard fought back and forth series. With the exception of a lop-sided game 7 dominted by the Leafs, it was a close and intense series.

Round 3: Leafs vs. Gretzky/Fraser - The series was marred by the Game 6 controversy and for the third straight series, the Leafs went 7 games; this time against the greatest player in hockey history leading the charge on the other side. It was a classic showdown that unfortunately ended with a Kings victory. On top of all this, Montreal was waiting in the wings to play the victor. The thought of a Leafs-Habs final made the LA series that much more dramatic.

So like I said - it's not that we as Leafs fan are happy the Leafs only made it to the conference finals. The season was not a "success" because we made it to the final four. 1993 was just a special year filled with quality hockey and lots of excitement; that's why it's so well remembered (and why those games are still re-played so frequently on Leafs TV).

Ask yourself this: If Leafs fans were content with an appearance in the conference finals an didn't care about not winning the cup that year, then why is Kerry Fraser still so despised by Leafs nation for the Gretzky non-call in Game 6?