The Save—Kirk McLean’s Legendary Moment in Game 7
A City on the Edge
Where were you when Kirk McLean made “The Save” that still makes fans of the Vancouver Canucks jump out of their seats? April 30, 1994—Game 7 against the Calgary Flames: first overtime period. Calgary had a 3-on-1 break, and Theoren Fleury slid a perfect pass to Robert Reichel. Everyone in red was ready to celebrate—everyone except McLean.
The Overtime Moment That Stopped Time
In a split second, McLean flung himself across the crease, stretched every inch of his body, and got that right pad on the puck. Boom. Saved. Dead silence for a beat, then—from Vancouver to every living room in British Columbia—the loudest roar you can imagine. One impossible save had just kept the Canucks alive.
Cool Fact: Kirk McLean has earned two Cyclone Taylor Trophies as Team MVP for the Vancouver Canucks (1990, 1992).
Bure Seizes the Moment
And then—in double overtime—Pavel Bure scored the series-winning goal, turning McLean’s save into pure euphoria. “The Save” wasn’t just a highlight; it was the spark that helped the Canucks truly believe they can get the job done. It shifted everything. Suddenly, the Canucks weren’t just hanging on—they were alive, and they were dangerous.
Momentum That Couldn’t Be Stopped
Vancouver rode that energy all the way. After beating the Dallas Stars (4-1) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1)—McLean was the steady hand behind it all. Those back-to-back shutouts in the Western Conference Final? Not just stats. Statements. Every fan who watched knew McLean was the backbone keeping the team in it.
Firm and Steady in the ‘94 Stanley Cup Final
Even in the ‘94 Stanley Cup Final, McLean didn’t blink. Fifty-two saves in Game 1 alone kept Vancouver alive in moments when the odds were stacked against them. They didn’t win the Stanley Cup, but McLean’s performance left a mark that still resonates. A goalie can be a team’s heartbeat—and he proved it night after night.
Why Fans Still Talk About “The Save”
Three decades later, fans still replay “The Save” as if it happened yesterday. Because it wasn’t just a stop—it was grit, heart, determination; everything a fan loves about playoff hockey.
So… where were you when Kirk McLean made “The Save”?