Toronto Maple Leafs: Doug Gilmour relives missed call from Game 6
With classic Toronto Maple Leafs games getting re-aired during the NHL season on pause, Doug Gilmour finally watched Game 6 from 1993.
There have been many heartbreaking moments in Toronto Maple Leafs‘ history but none will ever live up to Game 6 of the 1993 1993 Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Kings.
In a game that saw a lot of back and forth and Wendel Clark scoring a hat trick to send the game to overtime, it seemed like the best chance for the Leafs to finally reach a Stanley Cup Final. However, as most of you know, this never came to be in part because of the famous missed call.
More from Tip of the Tower
- Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
- Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
- Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
- Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
- Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
Just to rehash some old wounds, many of you will remember the moment Wayne Gretzky catch Doug Gilmour in the face with his stick and Gilmour laying down on the ice. The Leafs forward showed a cut on his chin to the referees who came together to discuss the call.
Ultimately, Kerry Fraser didn’t see the infraction and did not make a call which to this day will go down as one of the worst calls in a playoff game, although Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres fans might disagree on that one. We all know what happened moments later when “The Great One” scored on the next play and would force a Game 7.
Since that moment, Fraser admitted to his mistake but you can bet Leafs Nation isn’t exactly going to be quick to forgive considering what happened afterwards. Losing in Game 7 took away arguable the Leafs best chance to make the Cup Final for the first time since 1967 and you can argue that they had a legitimate shot to win it all.
Gilmour admitted recently that by being in self-isolation at home, he finally got a chance to watch the game for the first time since and understood the anger fans have with the play.
Game 6 of the ‘93 series with LA is on @sportsnet 360. Watching as a fan I feel your emotions, this is the first time I’ve seen it, lots of stuff you don’t see when you’re in the moment! @sportsnet @kfraserthecall @wendelclark17 #gretzky #gilmour pic.twitter.com/4KcK32Gst7
— Doug Gilmour (@douggilmour) March 27, 2020
For people who think Leafs fans should get over the play considering how long ago it was, try being on the butt end of 1967 jokes. That play should have swung the game in Toronto’s favour considering Gretzky would have received a five-minute major and a game misconduct.
Not only would the play have negated the Leafs being shorthanded but the best player in the series would have been in the penalty box. Sure, the Kings had other players capable of scoring at that moment but so did the Leafs.
Of course, you will also hear fans say that the Leafs would have had no chance against the Montreal Canadiens but it’s not like the Habs dominated the Kings. There is always the “what-if” with these moments but in this case, there is still legitimacy when you wonder what could have been if Gretzky got penalized.
Next. Maple Leafs apparently interested in re-signing Kyle Clifford. dark
What are your thoughts on the missed call and Gretzky finally watching the play for the first time? Let us know in the comments below.