Maven's Memories: Morrow's Moments

Ken Morrow was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Class of 1995, for a reason.
He was one of the most accomplished defensive defensemen of all-time -- on the collegiate level, on the Olympic stage and in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The native of Flint, Michigan starred for Bowling Green University after which he helped coach Herb Brooks' 1980 Olympians to a Gold Medal at Lake Placid.

But it was Morrow's body of work behind the Islanders blueline for which he gained renowned and widespread respect.
"What many people forget," recalls ex-Islanders goalie Glenn (Chico) Resch. "is that for all Kenny's worth as a defenseman in his own zone, he also was a scorer when it counted most."
Chico speaks firsthand, having witnessed the unexpected offensive side of Morrow's game for the first time in the spring of 1980.
The Los Angeles Kings stunned coach Al Arbour's sextet by not only tying the series at one game apiece, but forcing Game Three into a 3-3 tie and overtime.
"We were worried going into the sudden-death period," said Mike Bossy. "If we lost that one, we could've been out in the first round."
Enter Ken Morrow from Stage Right to center stage. Kenny's point shot found air and space and Mister M had his first big G. Bossy, never one given to indiscriminate raves, put it accurately for his teammates.
"Kenny's goal took a million pounds of pressure off everybody," said The Boss.
MAVEN'S MEMORIES
WRITTEN COVERAGE
Dave Langevin, The Best Bodychecker
The Underrated Kenny Jonsson
Gerry Hart, Heart of the Original Isles
The Parise-Drouin Trades
The Great Smitty and Gretzky Battles
From Long Island Arena to UBS Arena
Isles-Rangers Feud: Heating Up Into the 1990s
Mark Fitzpatrick's Mastery
Maven's Haven
An onlooker might have uttered the same message when it came to the "Quest For The Quartet," otherwise known as the Islanders push for a fourth consecutive Cup.
Facing the mighty Wayne Gretzky-Mark Messier-led Edmonton Oilers in the Final, the Isles reeled off three straight wins. Yet, despite their lead, the Nassaumen still were concerned about an Oilers comeback.
Sure enough in Game Four, Edmonton rallied from a three-goal deficit to make it a 3-2 game in the third period. Team Gretzky pressed hard for the tying goal and came close too many times to please the Coli crowd.
In a last, desperation move, Oilers coach Glen Sather pulled his goalie for an extra skater to tie the score.
Close they came; that's for sure. But it was Morrow who came through to relieve the tension by tallying the game-clincher into the empty net at 18:51 and the Isles were just minutes away from another round of champagne-sipping.
Much as that one was a classic in its own timely right, the most memorable goal of Morrow's admirable career came at the expense of -- who else? -- the Rangers.
Many critics have labelled it "The Greatest Game Ever Played" but that's not the point.
What matters is that Game Five of the best-of-five series on April 10, 1984, had all the earmarks of a colossal upset.
The Islanders were immersed in their Drive For Five while the Rangers merely wanted to stay alive. And that they did with a late third period goal, sending the tournament into overtime.

"It was frantic and intense hockey," said Kelly Hrudey, who was goalie Bill Smith's backup.
In order for Morrow to score his "Goal I'll Never Forget," there was one requirement. "Smitty had to make some outstanding saves before I got my chance," Ken recalled.
He also needed some assistance from Patrick Flatley who was on the ice as his mates ignited a counterattack.
Flatley: "I remember exactly what happened. Brent Sutter and I were behind the Rangers net when the puck went back to Kenny at the right point.
"One thing about Morrow that people forget was that he had a very heavy shot. Thank God it went in. The crowd was insane."
Ken Morrow had done it again -- the defensive defenseman -- but with the offensive knack for the biggest Islander goals!