***TRADED***
1994-95 Blaine Lacher Playoff Worn Road Jersey

Blaine Lacher, born September 5, 1970, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, had a rather interesting NHL journey. Boasting an impressive 6'1" frame, Lacher played three standout years of college hockey with Lake Superior State University, but was never drafted into the NHL. At the conclusion of the 1993-94 season, however, the Boston Bruins realized his potential and signed him as a free agent. With a year shortened by the lockout, Lacher emerged as the undisputed starter of the team, recording an impressive 19-11-2 record, with 4 shutouts, and a 2.41 GAA in a mere 35 games, as a rookie no less. He was a key in leading the Boston Bruins into the playoffs. With his play, many referred to Blaine Lacher as the next big thing in goaltending. In the playoffs, Lacher and the Bruins faced off against the New Jersey Devils, who were also netting an up-and-coming superstar named Martin Brodeur. The dual was short-lived as Brodeur and the Devils defeated the Bruins in five games by a 14-5 goal differential. The fact that Boston was shutout in three of those games could hardly be counted against Lacher. Flying high off of the success of his rookie campaign, Blaine Lacher was set to be the incumbent starter the following year, however, a coaching change altered that reality. Steve Kasper, according to many sources, did not have much faith in Mr. Lacher and it showed in the young goaltender's play as it went downhill and quick. In 12 games that year, he posted a 3-5-2 record with a 3.94 GAA, and a 0.845% save average. He played one additional year in the IHL before retiring at the end of the 1996-97 season. In his career, Lacher played in 47 games, and recorded a 22-16-4 record with a 2.80 GAA, 4 shutouts, and a 0.887% save average. One of the tales of goaltending where you wonder how far he could have gone had the cards been dealt differently for him.

This jersey is Blaine Lacher's 1994-95 season playoff road jersey, worn in games three and four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the New Jersey Devils. He first wore it on May 10, 1995, stopping 31 of 33 shots in a 3-2 victory in game three, a win that turned out to be the first and only playoff win of his career. With game four on May 12, the Bruins were poised to tie up the series, which had started out with two straight shutout losses before the victory two nights before. Lacher, poised to save the day, stood on his head and did all he could as his team was defeated by a score of 1-0, a mere 8 minutes into overtime. Lacher stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced in that contest. Two days later, the team was finally eliminated with a 3-2 loss. The wear on this jersey is a testament to his warrior attitude. Puck marks, skate cuts, and several blood stains highlight this intensity.

Dates of game use:
May 10, 1995 v New Jersey Devils (3-2W, 31-33)
May 12, 1995 v New Jersey Devils (1-0L, 24-25)

Acquired from: Collector on eBay

Photomatched: No, photoreferenced