In the last playoff series ever inside Chicago Stadium, the Blackhawks were down 2-1 to the Maple Leafs going into a must-win Game 4. The Hawks pushed the game to overtime where their star shined brightest. Joe Murphy knocked down a Leaf pass out of the air and shoveled the puck to Tony Amonte waiting on the goal line. Amonte took advantage of the Toronto turnover and passed the puck in the slot to a streaking Jeremy Roenick who made no mistake to tied the series 2-2.

Roenick’s goal tied the series heading back to Toronto. This goal was the final great memory inside Chicago Stadium, which would be demolished after the season. A few days later the Blackhawks lost Game 6 in The Stadium 1-0 to get eliminated from the playoffs, and close out the Old Barn. The Maple Leafs would go on to lose in the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year. The Blackhawks would go on to start the 1995 season in the brand new United Center, and go on to the Western Conference Finals.

Funny that during the celebration Roenick jumps into the arms of then Blackhawks star goalie Eddie Belfour. The Hawks would eventually trade both of them (RIP Bill Wirtz), and both would go on to continued success on other teams. It’s funny because in 2004 Roenick scored on Belfour in overtime of Game 6 to eliminate Toronto and send the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Jeremy Roenick enjoyed success in Chicago, Phoenix, Philly and San Jose, but in my mind he will always be remembered as a Blackhawk. Roenick is one of the most exciting players to ever put on a Blackhawks jersey. After the Hawks won the Cup in 2010, it was evident how emotional Roenick was during the post game show on NBC. Remember, Roenick was the last player to skate off the ice after the Hawks were swept by the Penguins in the 1992 Final.

Final note: Before a Blackhawks-Sharks game in 2008, Roenick’s final NHL season, JR tossed a game puck over the glass to me during warmups. It was awesome.

#19 coming tomorrow…