Can Toronto's Joe Woll Do a Chico Resch Islanders Imitation?

Here's how the New York Islanders history could rescue the Maple Leafs from losing their series to Florida.

When his Leafs were down three games to nothing before Wednesday night's game in Florida, coach Sheldon Keefe needed help.

What Toronto's embattled leader did was employ a bit of Islanders history to lead his team away from the playoff brink.

To be more specific, Keefe borrowed a segment from Hall of Fame coach Al Arbour's 48-year-old playbook, circa, spring of 1975.

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That was the first playoff experience for the Nassaumen, who knocked off the favored Rangers in the opening round. Next up were the Pittsburgh Penguins,l who reeled off three straight wins.

Game Four was at Nassau Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, and the desperate Arbour went for broke.

For starters, Al told his players that if anyone didn't think the club could win four in a row, that stick handler could leave the team.

Of course, nobody dared to do that to the coach lovingly called Radar.

Next, Al decided to replace Bill Smith, who had lost all three games to Pittsburgh. He benched Battlin' Bill and thrust Glenn (Chico) Resch into the playoff pressure cooker.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtdHTCPGsWk[/embed]

"It wasn't that Smitty was playing badly," said Resch, "but Radar thought it would be a good idea to try someone fresh, and that's when I got the chance."

(Ditto, Keefe in the Florida-Toronto series. After the Leafs' third consecutive Loss, rookie Joseph Woll was given the S.O.S. sign. He would start Game Four in at the Panthers' home rink, for better or worse.)

I covered Game Four in Uniondale (1975) and vividly remember how hopeless the Islanders' situation was at the time. I also knew my NHL history.

Up until the 1975-75 season, only one team -- the 1941-42 Maple Leafs -- had rallied from a three games to no deficit -- against Detroit -- to win four straight and the series; also the Stanley Cup.

"Of course, we knew what we were up against," Resch remembered, "but all we could do was do our best, and that went for me as well in the nets."

With a lot of help from his friends, Chico repulsed the hungry Penguins 3-1.

Likewise, on Wednesday night in Sunrise, Joe Woll -- a Missouri product, no less -- rose to the occasion. He limited the win-thirsty Panthers to one goal and exited the rink with a 2-1 decision.

The Leafs were as alive as Chico's Islanders were after their Game Four. But they still had three straight to win if they were to advance to the third round.

Game Five of that series was in Pittsburgh's hostile Igloo, but the Isles were nonplussed about the challenge ahead. They stunned the hometown Penguins fans with a 4-2 edge.

Resch: "By this time, we were in a groove, and our confidence was soaring. Being at home for Game Six was also a big plus for us. Our fans were going wild over our comeback and, obviously. we're hoping for another win."

Glenn & Company obliged again, setting the favored Pennsylvanians back on their heels; this time 4-1.

The melodrama reached its climactic peak in Game Seven in the Steel City.

Arbour, of course, stayed with his hot goalie, and Resch responded with the game of his life.

However, at the other end, Gary Inness also was excelling for the Penguins. After two periods, that score remained deadlocked at 0-0.

"The feeling was that the team that scored the first goal would be the winner," recalled Ed Westfall, the Islander's original captain. "And that became more and more apparent after we passed the ten-minute mark, and it still was zip-zip."

As it happened, an Islanders rush resulted in a puck battle deep in the home team's end of the ice. Isles defenseman Bert Marshall saw Westfall in a good scoring position for a shot on goal.

"I yelled for the pass." chuckled Westfall, "and Bert obliged."

Westfall's shot could not have been more perfect, and the red light behind Inness seconded the motion.

"Once we got the goal," said Resch, "the guys threw up a wall in front of me, and we won the game, 1-0, and the series."

Back on home ice Friday night, coach Keefe will start Joe Woll again and know darn well that it's possible for Joe to beat the Panthers in Game Five; and yet again in Games Six and Seven.

For further proof, just consult Chico Resch -- now a radio analyst for the Devils broadcasts.

If Glenn did it before for the Islanders, Woll just might do it again for the Leafs!