A SPECIAL NIGHT RUINED

On back to back evenings the two Air Canada Centre tenants played excellent matches, but the results favored the guests.

First it was the Raptors who lost to the Nets after an 18 point lead.

Now, it was the Maple Leafs who lost to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4, squandering 3-0 and 4-2 leads.

The Leafs played a good solid game and beat the Hawks for two periods. In so many games this season, the Leafs have rarely played a full 60 minute game.

The first and second periods were all Leafs, and the Hawks showed some life late in the second period.

Toronto out shot (11-6) and out hustled Chicago in the first period to take a 1-0 lead on a goal by Pavel Kubina. And a failed penalty shot attempt by Matt Stajan was a missed opportunity to up the lead.

The second period was action packed as both teams traded shots and goals.

Toronto continued their strong play into the second and scored on a power play. Matt Stajan made up for his penalty shot, and the Leafs really worked the puck around and had men in motion. That is something they have lacked on most power plays this season.

Before that goal was scored, Toronto had a five on three advantage and didn’t score, and continue to struggle on five on three’s.

With a strong rush, Toronto managed to put another one behind Nik Khabibulin. Dominic Moore scored that goal to make it 3-0 on a backhand shot just a few feet off the goal line at the side of the net.

Chicago did edge closer on two straight Patrick Sharp goals. One was off a deflection on a power play and the other was off a sick deque, which left Jeff Finger hanging at the blue line. Sharp was in on a two on one, decided to keep the puck, and made a perfect shot that beat Vesa Toskala high blocker side.

Toskala was noticeably better in this game than his previous four or five, where he was letting in soft goals and didn’t look ready to play. The four day layoff helped him and the Leafs team to play a better game.

With the Leafs up 3-2, the Hawks looked determined to tie the game, but 67 seconds after Chicago had scored, Alex Ponikarovsky scored on a soft shot that fooled Khabibulin.

That goal looked to be the final blow, but the Leafs probably forgot that there was still another period to play.

The Blackhawks took full advantage of the lazy play by Toronto, and out shot the Leafs 15-9, and scored two goals to tie the game.

For the most part, the Leafs defence did a good job of shutting down Patrick Kane and Jonathon Toews, but they struck in the third.

Early in the period, Patrick Kane scored on a quick snapshot from a pass behind the net only 55 seconds in, and made the score 4-3 Toronto.

Off of strong fore checking and complete control of the puck, the Hawks tied the game on another play from behind the net. Ben Eager was the goal scorer, whom should’ve been tossed from the game due to his actions in the first period.

It was another hit from behind, this time on Mikhail Grabovski, and Alex Ponikarovsky came into help his teammate and tackled Eager to the ice. Finally, someone other than Luke Schenn stuck up for his teammate.

On the play, and for some strange reason, Eager wasn’t given any discipline at all, while Ponikarovsky was given a two minute roughing penalty.

With the game tied at four, the game headed into overtime, and the Hawks won quickly, scoring only 49 seconds into the extra frame. The goal came off another slick pass, which was a slap pass from the point that confused the Leafs. David Bolland with some soft hands stopped the puck; stick handled around one defencemen and easily beat Toskala.

Once again the Leafs out shot their opponent, this time 38-36 and both teams went 1/3 on the power play.

Jonas Frogren got to play, due to a foot/leg injury to Carlo Colaiacovo, which was sustained during practice.

Rookie John Mitchell was back in the lineup after missing five games with a shoulder injury and recorded an assist on the fourth Toronto goal.


Of course before the game was played, former captain Wendel Clark was honored as his number 17 was raised to the rafters of the ACC. For some reason, MLSE can’t get a ceremony done right. If you timed this ceremony to the one Tie Domi got for his thousandth game, Domi’s was longer.

First of all, Domi shouldn’t have been given such a ceremony. He really hadn’t done anything great in his career. And so what if he was a fan favourite, and if that’s the case, every Leaf player that was favored by the fans should be given a ceremony. How about giving one to Wade Belak, and he was just placed on waivers, so lets bring him back.

Anyways, back to the Clark ceremony. It was too short, and nobody was brought in to make a speech about him or anything like that. Compare that to Patrick Roy’s ceremony, where three former coaches were brought in.

When Clark finished his speech, they immediately raised his banner, they didn’t even let him get a few pictures in or even touch it.

What happened to the passion that we Leafs have? Barely anyone was wearing the moustache.

Lastly, this ‘honoring’ bullshit has got to stop. It is time to retire numbers. Here is some cold hard evidence of this. Shayne Corson was allowed to wear number 27, and know way was he able to match the legacy of Frank Mahovlich or Darryl Sittler. Currently, Matt Stajan, who wears number 14, which was once worn by Dave Keon, will, and I doubt it, ever match Keon’s legacy.


The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.