Here's the story of famous Rangers goalie Lorne "Gump" Worsley.
Lorne "Gump" Worsley ranks among the best goalkeepers in Rangers history and is in The Hall of Fame for a reason.
But there was a time in his New York career when Gump got bumped by another puckstopper; and nearly for good.
Marcel Paille had earned his spurs in the American Hockey League during the mid-1950's. He finally got his call to The Show in November 1957 when Worsley was sidelined with an injury.
Unlike Worsley, Paille was a classic standup netminder who played the angles well and rarely went sprawling to the ice.
Ranger coach Phil Watson took an immediate liking to Paille thanks to a shutout in his very first game for New York. After four games he had allowed only five goals.
"This guy could be a keeper," I told Watson. To that, Phiery Phil shot back: "We'll see."
What Watson saw was pleasing. Marcel's goaltending pushed the Rangers into first place with back to back wins over the Montreal Canadiens, the defending Cup champs.
"People began to forget Worsley," remembered hockey historian Al Greenberg.
Watson, who had been suffering a running feud with Worsley, would have been delighted to have a fellow French-Canadian permanently take Gump's place, but fate intervened.
Greenberg: "Paille's balloon burst when he allowed five goals in the last six minutes of a game to blow a 4-1 lead."
Watson stuffed his pride in his closet and recalled Gump. Meanwhile, Paille was invited back to the Blueshirts but only for cameo appearances.
But one thing was certain, Paile – the stand-up goalie – never was able to dump The Gump again!