Before Sһesterkіn-Quісk Tһere Onсe Wаs Gіасomіn-Vіllemure

Here's a look back at some Rangers history from The Maven.

The announcement the other day that Igor Shesterkin was out with an injury and that Jonathan Quick would take over in Columbus recalled memories of an early Blueshirt goaltending duet.

When Emile (The Cat) Francis was running the club in the late 1960's, his star goalkeeper was Ed Giacomin. The Cat had to fork over a few players to Providence to get Ed but it was worth the expense.

(I was covering the Rangers for Hearst's NY Journal-American newspaper at the time and saw plenty of Eddie G.)

Giacomin was extremely popular but his French-Canadian backup Gilles Villemure was a fan favorite as well.

A little guy – like Francis – Villemure spent his off-season as a harness race driver at Yonkers and Roosevelt Raceways.

Although some critics argued that Villemure was as good as Giacomin, The Cat gave Eddie top billing.

In his book "Guardians Of The Goal," author George Grimm compared the two. "Villemure was very underrated," says Grimm.

"He was a very good standup, positioned goaltender.

"He also holds an All-Star Game record that may never be broken.

Over the course of three All-Star appearances – 1971, 1972 1973 – he set a record for the longest recorded shutout streak at 79 minutes and 21 seconds

"In a total of 88 minutes in three games, Gilles surrendered only one goal. His 0.68 All-Star GAA is still the lowest of any other All-Star netminder."

The fact is that Giacomin failed enough times in the playoffs for critics to wonder whether Villemure might have done better.

Grimm: "There were many playoff games, especially against Chicago, where Gilles would have been the better choice!"

Bottom Line: Ed Giacomin is in the Hall of Fame.