Five unsung goalies from the 80s & 90s

   I’m sitting here bored waiting for the season to start. I thought I’d troll through the 1994-95 NHL Guide & Record book.
   In the mid 1980’s and into the 1990’s goalies such as Grant Fuhr, Tom Barrasso, Andy Moog’s were not the absolute best goaltenders, but got more appreciation than others that deserved some of the lime light. We’re about to go over some of the unsung heroes & underrated goalies from that era.
Jon Casey
   Jon Casey didn't play in the Big Apple, Toronto or Edmonton. For most of this career he was the number one netminder for the Minnesota North Stars. The Grand Rapids native struggled from 1983-1988; but starting 88-89 season, he was the main man in the net for the next 5 seasons.  He had only one losing season in the five years, despite never playing in front of a less than stellar team.
   He was the sole reason the Stars went to the Cup final in 90-91. Going 14-7 with a 3.04 gaa; during the four round marathon.  In the year of the cup run; the undrafted free agent sported a 2.98 gaa.
Bob Essensa
   The longtime Winnipeg Jet starter had a good run with the team during his six year stint. Like Casey, Essensa never got to play in front a great team; more time than not he’d face 40 or more shots a night. He started 45 games are more four years in a row; including 67 in 91-92.
Kirk Mclean
   After 6 games over two seasons with New Jersey; Kirk Mclean started 40 or more games eight years in a row. Mclean really started to step up his game in the 91-92 season, in that season he was named a 2nd team all star. In 63 games that season he went 38-17-9 with a 2.74 gaa; that started a four year stretch where he won a round or more each year.  Like Casey; Mclean led the Canucks to a Stanley Cup final appearance in 93-94 going 15-9.
Darren Puppa
   Puppa took over in Buffalo for longtime starter Tom Barrasso. In the 89-90 season he went 31-16-6 with a 2.89 gaa;  earning him a place as a second team all star. After his seven year stint in Buffalo; Puppa went onto to be the starting goalie for the expansion Tampa Bay Lightning where he had a career low 2.71 gaa.
Chris Terreri
   The last New Jersey Devil starter before the legendary Martin Brodeur; Terreri had shockingly good numbers. It would be fair to say he had the least amount of spotlight compared to the other four. He was consistent year in year out; often sporting a gaa below 3.