This photo from Feb, 23, 1979 is an outstanding action shot of Ranger goalie Wayne Thomas swiping the puck away to thwart a Leaf scoring chance. Carol Vadnais is the New York defender against the Leafs line of Dan Maloney (wearing a cage), Walt McKechnie and Ron Ellis. The combative Maloney had suffered a facial cut from the stick of Detroit's Terry Harper in a previous game. The Rangers would reach the Stanley Cup finals that season but the Leafs were struggling at the time. So much so that coach Roger Neilson was fired a week later only to be rehired again.
This photo from Feb, 23, 1979 is an outstanding action shot of Ranger goalie Wayne Thomas swiping the puck away to thwart a Leaf scoring chance. Carol Vadnais is the New York defender against the Leafs line of Dan Maloney (wearing a cage), Walt McKechnie and Ron Ellis. The combative Maloney had suffered a facial cut from the stick of Detroit's Terry Harper in a previous game. The Rangers would reach the Stanley Cup finals that season but the Leafs were struggling at the time. So much so that coach Roger Neilson was fired a week later only to be rehired again.
