Teammate Dave Scatchard was the first to envelop the hero, followed by a posse of jubilant Nassaumen. It proved to be the 3-2 winner and entered the realm of Islanders Hall of Fame goals.
Up high, Rose put the event in perspective. "For a franchise that has had many memorable post-season moments, you've just seen one of the most memorable."
Apart from tying the series, the win intensified the I.Q. (Intensity Quotient) at each side. Personal feuds -- Shayne Corson vs. Dave Scatchard for one -- multiplied with none more inflamed than Michael Peca-Darcy Tucker.
After a collision in Game Five, Tucker shouted, "I'm gonna kill you. I'm taking you out!"
And he did -- in Game Five. When Tucker nailed him, the Captain went down with a torn, anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee. There was no penalty on the play nor a suspension.
If that wasn't horrid enough, Toronto won the game, 6-3. and Ken Jonsson was done for the series with another concussion; thanks to Gary Roberts' hit from behind.
"We're not dead yet," snapped Milbury as his men took the Coliseum ice for Game Six.
No they weren't; not at all. Webb creamed just about every Leaf at one time or another while Marius Czerkawski popped a pair of goals and, lo and behold, the Isles tied the series with a 5-3 decision.