The Leafs Memory Project

I was out with a friend the other night when he suddenly said, "You should try to do something like the Human Genome Project."

(Two caveats before we continue: 1. Neither of us have any formal training in genetics. 2. At this point in the evening, alcohol was a factor in our conversation.)

Prior to the Human Genome Project, we were brainstorming ideas for ALF B. We talked about what it means to be Leaf fan and how this identity must differ from fans of other NHL teams.

If you came of age in Edmonton during the 80s, for example, your head is no doubt jammed with glorious recollections. There's probably an entire part of your brain dedicated to storing Gretzky goals while another part handles sick Messier moves.

When you possess so many great memories, at some point, they begin to cancel each other out. Did Grant Fuhr stone Mike Bossy on a breakaway in overtime? What team did Marty McSorley challenge when he stormed the bench?

Now you can't remember.

Fortunately, Leaf fans don’t have this problem.

We grew up cheering so much for so little that when something spectacular did occur, it was relived for weeks at a time with no danger of being replaced by anything new. The event – a goal, hit, save, or fight – became a flashbulb memory. It was as if we were on the ice when it went down.

This is why when two Leaf fans meet for the first time, within five minutes one of them will say: "Hey, do you remember..."

Hey, do you remember the 1986 Norris Division semi-finals? A first-round, best-of-five series against Chicago? Vaive, Thomas, Fergus, Salming, Poddubny, Frycer and these Hounds?

They go into Chicago and steal the first two games. Now it's April 12. Game 3 in Toronto. A win and the Leafs advance to the next round.

I can still see Bob McGill putting a smackdown on Al Secord. I can still hear the crowd stand and roar when Bill Root goes lateral and flattens an attacking Hawk player with a bone-crunching check. With the help of a hypnotist, I could probably even tell you what kind of broom was tossed on the ice as the Leafs won 7-2 that night for the sweep.

So here's the plan.

Once the regular season starts on October 7, I want to start The Leafs Memory Project. Basically, this is what I need: Two or three paragraphs about your all-time favourite Leaf memory. If you know the specific date, that would be helpful. And if there's a related clip on YouTube, all the better.

"A database of powerful Leaf memories would be so cool," slurred my friend, possibly becoming the first person in history to use the words "database" and "cool" in the same sentence. "You could create a shared timeline of great events in the minds of Leaf fans!"

"What if nobody participates?" I asked.

"Well, then at least you have a blog post during the slow pre-season, right?"

Please send your memories to: vmenon@thestar.ca. I'll also need your real name and age.

This will be cool.

Okay. I'm off to buy new database software and a lab coat. I leave you with this memory:

 

 

UPDATE (9:51 p.m.): So the Leafs just beat the Sabres 5-4 at the ACC. Thank you for all of your emails and comments (even the smartass ones). Great anecdotes. Keep them coming because... The Leafs Memory Project is officially underway. After the regular season begins, I will begin posting your memories. Details to come.

Comments

[Krakondack]

That's easy: It's all those Stanley Cups they've won over the last 40 years. For the You-tube clips, however, you'll need to drink some more of what you were having when you thought of this.

[Chris]

The Star pays for this. Where do I sign up?

[Ryan]

Sundin's 500th Goal...

Shorthanded OT Winner, Hat-Trick Goal.

Only Sundin would score his 500th like that.

[RD]

Best slapshot ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TanGOJ4eF3w

[Vinay Menon]

@Krakondack: A single tear now rests on my cheek. I hope you’re happy. @Chris: The Star does NOT pay for this. So if you do sign-up, please understand you will be compensated with a biweekly allotment of beans and rubber bands.

[sal]

Is this a joke?

[johnny]

Wendel Clarke, without the slightest hesitation, fighting the much biggeer McSorley after McSorley flattened Gilmour. Now that is a teammate.

[Carla]

Wow, just hearing the combo of Bob Cole and Harry Neale call that Wendel Clarke hat-trick sure brought back warm feelings! They were great together (as was Harry with Joe Bowen). Miss you, Harry! Come back!

[Ed]

Favorite Leaf Memory -
Sat. night at MLG's.,Blackhawks-Leafs. Stan Mikita skated from his end with the puck with Eddie Shack tailing him, hacking at his shins. Near centre ice, Mikita had enough of that, turned around and swung his stick at Shack's head like a helicopter blade, narrowly missing him.

[Keith S]

How about Darcy Tucker's legit hit on Sami Kapanen in the Leafs-Ottawa Playoffs in 03-04. Kapanen had his head down when Tucker proved why you should not (even in the NHL) have your head. Kapanen got up, and then fell, got up again, and then fell, got up a thrid time near his bench and fell. He then got the fourth time, headed off the bench and into locker room. Man what a hit.

[Hillar Alkok]

George Armstrong shooting the puck in the empty net to beat the Canadiens in 1967. How could we forget that?

[Chad]

Wendel Clark...Period!

Ripping Cujo's head off with his lethal snap shot during the playoffs when Cujo was with the St. Louis Blues.

The front page of the newspaper of Marty McSorelys face with two black eyes after a fight with Wendel for knocking Gilmour down.

Wendel and his acting gigs.... Pat Burns and Wendel in the Campbell soup commercials! It's all in the wrist! {Priceless!}

[arj]

...the time that they won the cup... wait.. does it still count as a memory if i watched it on tv some 40 years after the fact? maybe you guys should ask cubs fans what their favourite memories are too!

[Go Leafs Go!!]

Two recent favorite momments: 1. When the Maple Leaf organization hired Brian Burke (The start of a real game changer); 2. The day they traded Vesa Toskala (no more scoring from centre ice).

[Harvester]

Mike Foligno's goal against the Red Wings to win game 5 in the playoofs and the subsequent jumping after that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wygsIiuZja8

[Stanley Roper]

When a no-name goalie (Peter Ing) robbed Wayne Gretzky (who was in the prime of his career) on a penalty shot at Maple Leaf Gardens. I was watching it on TV on HNIC on Jan. 5, 1991. I was 14 at the time and we didnt see the stop live as the fans stood in front of the camera at the last moment and all we heard was Bob Cole's "STOPPED BY ING". I miss the Gardens!

[Dave]

Sittler's 10 point game!!! 'nough said!

[Kevin B]

Mats Sundin's hat trick, overtime winner, 500th goal dominating performance against the Calgary Flames a few seasons ago. It was one of a handful of games I've ever been to (yes, another diehard that never gets to see his team live) and it was the most incredible experience. Everyone in the stands were going crazy, high fiving, chanting his name and everyone waited until the 3 stars were announced and gave Mats a standing ovation. I was proud of him, I was proud to see him do it and I was proud to be a Maple Leaf fan.

[No]

Dougie's Wrap Around, the Passion Returns!

[alan mimms]

Doug Gilmores gret 1992-93 season

[dennis]

Dougie's overtime goal against St Louis was by far the biggest buzz ever at a Leafs game

[Real Hero]

THIS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeLBr3IdpdE

[Nick]

Too easy..

1993 playoffs... leafs down 2 games to none agianst Detroit (who finished with a better record), Leafs push it to Game 7.
Nikolai Borschevsky's Game 7 overtime goal gave Toronto the series

[DAn S]

God I miss Cole/Neale calling the game! Even they abandoned the leafs! CBC BRING BACK SOME GOOD COMENTATORS!!

[mike thompson]

This is easy

The day that Don Cherry Kissed Doug Gilmour on Coaches Corner

[Rick Morayniss]

Lanny Macdonald's overtime winner againt the Islanders.

[Beetonian]

Nikolai Borchevski (pardon the spelling) Game 7 overtime goal against Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 92/93 playoffs. Maybe it was 91/92 playoffs ....either way....to see the little Russian score against the big bad red wings (who were favoured) was awesome!

[Geoff Read]

That Clark goal is a good memory for this Habs' fan too... because Gretzky and the Kings went on to lose to Montreal in the finals.
Here's my favourite Leafs' memory, where Darcy Tucker got what he so richly deserved:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCjBppqZFP4&feature=related

[Archie Yurkiw]

Wondering, where in the crowd was the guy located that cried out "C'mon ....... Teeder".

[Chris I]

I grew up watching the Leafs in the 80's, so for me, the first moment I think of is Borschevsky's goal. I don't need to mention what game it was; every Leafs fan knows.

[redwingsrule]

the time Detroit beat Toronto 12 - 0.

[Brian Lees]

One night, in the eighties, I was in bed early because of a heavy cold. But I watched a regular season Leafs game against Edmonton, Wayne Gretzky and all, on TV. The unfancied Leafs, playing at the Gardens, hammered them, (7-1 if my memory serves me correctly). My cold seemed to quickly dissappear.

[Mark]

Wendel Clark jumps McSorley. Google it if you don't know what I mean.

[JP]

For me, it was Ken Wregget's save against the Blues in the 1987 play-offs. That glove save is THE save for me, and the one that made me become a goaltender for the rest of my life.

I would love to know if anyone has a clip of it; I couldn't find it on YouTube...

[Margo]

Leafs vs Hurricanes
Game 6
Eastern Conference Final
Mats Sundin scores with 21 seconds left to tie the game. I cried tears of joy for 5 minutes. But we all know what happened next.

[Phil Di]

Lanny McDonalds overtime goal to beat the NY Islanders (future dynasty team) in game 7 of the playoffs.

[cj]

When they acutally made it to the playoffs

[bruins4evr]

How about all the cups in the 80's and 90's? Or their 2nd overall pick last June? or some of the great trades like Tukka Rask for Andrew Raycroft? It has been an awesome couple of decades.

[BRIAN]

You must be kidding; a memorable moment for the Leafs? Most of us are too young to have experienced a memorable Leaf moment. And those of us who arn't, are too old to remember anything.

[Jim in Wallaceburg]

April 29, 1978 - Lanny McDonald's over time goal in game 7 to defeat a hall-of-fame laden NY Islander team on the brink of a dynasty.

[Samaja]

The Leafs of the '40s and '50s in the six-team league when you could go to Maple Leaf Gardens any Saturday night to see the best brand of hockey in the world - and the Leafs were real contenders.

[rod stevenson]

Not being a leaf fan , the past 43 years of ineptitude has left excellent memories but one game in particular predating 1967 was delicious. Being somewhat older than fans of today i can't remember the exact date but i believe the leafs were cup champions the year before (early 60's) and Boston was the absolute bottom team and they came into Toronto for a Saturday night game and absolutely destroyed the leafs by 11 goals to only 1 or 2 for the leafs . fantastic. was this a sample of the distant future? sure looks like it.

[Canucklehead]

Wendel Clark all the way!

Watching the extended standing 'O' he got for hitting the post in his final game was a very touching and appropriate end for a guy who knew how to play good old fashioned Canadian hockey. Hurt or not, he gave 100% and would protect his team mates unconditionally. We need more like him to take back our game from the sanitised preferences of Bettman and Co.

[mike]

nik borshevsky's goal to beat the red wings

[Ignomy]

The day Burkey traded 2 (two) 1st round draft picks, one of them being 2nd overall, for Phil Kessels.

[Steve]

Don't do this to me.

[whatthe!]

two minutes before game time and the Tv flashes to the leafs room Wendal dressed and READY looks into the camera and tells the TV audience to change the channel if they do not want to watch hardcore hockey the ballet is on channel 77 flashes back to commercial then the game starts CLASSIC !!!

[CPH]

My favourite memories: As a kid, in the 50s, when the Leafs were pretty bad, listening on the radio to a 14-3 Leaf victory at MSG. Jimmy Jones scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over the Habs (mid-70s). Lanny McDonald's series-winning goal against the Islanders. Borje Salming's face after he took 120 stitches: what a warrior! And actually being there with my son, a Gilmour worshiper, when Dougie had 6 assists in one game.

[Philippe Cyr]

Wendel Clark Hat trick, and his over the shoulder goal from the Blue line in the 93 playoffs against CuJo and the St. Louis Blues.
Also Felix Potvin's across the crease save against Gretzkey.
Generally any Wendel Clark, Dave Ellet, Dave Anderchyck play.
I can Say this that the leafs had there best shot back in 93 to win the cup as they had a Great team with Doug, Wendel, Dave A, Dave E., Peter Z., Felix P., and Pat Burns at the helm behind the bench.

[whatthe!]

how about the first game the russian NHL'er fetisov played at Maple leaf gardens? he is behind the net Wendel cruises in and pastes him to the glass behind the net BEFORE fetisov can recover the gloves are off and the fist connected right in the head down goes the first russian nhl'er in the gardens "badda bing baddda boom" You just know harold laughed at that one !!

[tommyleeh]

The entire '93 playoffs run. From Nik Borchevsky's game winner in game 7 vs Detroit, to cursed Wayne Gretzky getting the game winner against us in game 7 vs LA - right after a non-call for high-sticking and drawing blood on Doug Gilmour (which at that time was supposed to be an automatic 5 minute major). Had the Leafs won, it would have been a Leafs-Habs final that I'm sure would have brought tears to the eyes of many Canadians... Ah.. I'm still bitter about the high-stick non-call...

[Sheriff]

Maple Leaf Gardens: "C'mon Teeder".

[Eric Sturk]

Winning the Stanley Cup in 1967.
Montreal was going to display it at Expo 67, but Toronto had it.
Way to go Leafs

[Jim Moore]

Every year the Leafs don't win the cup.

[cliff wood]

Surprised no mention of Lanny's OT series winner against the Islanders in 1978.

[Thom Corner]

My all-time favourite memory of the Leafs was a Sunday night game in Chicago, February 9, 1964, to be exact. The game was only available for those who had a telemeter, a coin-fed box that sat on top of your TV. I was nine and my family was visiting some people who had such a device. As an avid fan, I looked forward to watching the Leafs play against Hull, Mikita, Pilote and Glen Hall in the Chicago Stadium. Alas, it was not to be. The homeowners determined that we were to watch Ed Sullivan whose featured guests were a British quartet who sang three songs over shrieks from the audience. We were all blown away by this spectacle. It was the first time in my life that I sensed there could be something more important in this life than hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[Josh Hotles]

ED OLCZYK! NO DOUBT ABOOT IT!

[A Leaftime Ago]

Agreed with the guy who said "anything Wendel." We must be roughly the same age, as I was 15 when Wendel came on the scene and he was pretty much the lone bright spot for many years.
Here's some stuff for "fav Leaf moments":
Clark fights Kordic at the Forum when Johnny K was still a hated a stinkin' Hab'
Kordic jumps rookie Mike Modano as retribution for Modano's cheap pitchfork on Gary Leeman;
Al Iafrate absolutely demolishing Guy Carbonneau with a clean shoulder-to- Carbo's nose open-ice hit at the Forum;
Mark Osborne nailing Peter Svoboda's head into the glass at the Forum';
Wendel ripping his 100th career goal, a patented 150 mph wrister, past a hapless Patrick Roy at MLG; Rik Nattress scoring on Roy from centre ice, possibly the same game, at MLG;
Dave Semenko jumping Probert, then mouthing off to a pi**ed off Jacques Demers as he leaves the ice after being ejected;
Clark flattening hated Chelios at Chicago Stadium;
I could go on for a long time, just with 80s stuff. The '93 stuff has been covered by lots of people above, Won't mention Glenn Anderson's needless boarding penalty in the last minute of game 6 against LA which led to Gretzky's OT winner...

[Leaf Fan - haha]

the fact that they are the worst hockey team since the NHL expanded. Its pretty sad when the best memories do not include a stanley cup.

[Gator McGee]

Pretty much everything Wendel ever did, that guy still is the heart and soul of the organization, they've never had a leader like him since. Not Dougie, not Mats, and I'm pretty sure Dion ain't up to it either.

The guys bleeds blue and white, would do anything for the team, and is still a regular guy when you meet him. Which I've had the pleasure of doing twice.

But if there's one thing, I'd have have to say its in 2000 when he was back for the playoffs. He made a great rush down the wing and wired a shot off the post. The fans gave him a standing ovation as though he'd won the game. It was as though they knew it was the last time they'd see him in vintage form and were just saying thanks.

[Terry Finnigan]

Bobby Baun stepping on the ice with a broken bone in his foot and scoring the winning goal in overtime to force game 7 and eventually win the cup. That's what Men are made of......I'll never forget it!!!!

[Jorge]

Nik Borschevsky's OT winner vs Detroit in 1993.

[Bambino Italiano]

Picture this 1967 Maple Leaf Garden. Leaf against the Canadien....need i say more?

[Fist]

You folks are bringing back many fond memories...this is awesome. I've been waiting patiently like so many. One of my favourite moments was Sylvain Lefebvre pounding Rob Brown of the Blackhawks (Dec 92), centre ice at Maple Leaf Gardens. Joe Bowen screaming brown goes down, brown goes down...

[Greg]

Dec 1963, night before this 9 yr kid was scheduled for a surgical procedure. No idea how my father got the tickets, but 1st live NHL game, sitting in the greys with father, my favourite player Davey Keon nets 3 goals on the Gumper & Leafs beat Rangers 3-0. Still vividly remembered like it was yesterday some 47 yrs later

[Bill]

1993, Borchevsky OT goal in game 7 vs detroit.

[Kevin]

Favourite Leaf memory? Attending a meet-the-Leafs breakfast at St Mike's when I was about 7 or 8, and getting my pictures taken with the Leafs of the day - Keon, Mahovolich, Ellis, Kelly, Shack. Those were the days. Two others that stand out (who knows why). 1 - Syl Apps (Jr) of the Penguins breaking Jacques Plante's stick on a slapshot. 2. Trying to figure out whether Bruce Gamble really did set a record by allowing more players to score their first NHL goal than any other goalie.

[Jason Taylor]

1. Gilmour's OT goal against St. Louis (I was 12 and lucky enough to be live at the Gardens)
2. Game 7 wins against the Blues (93) and Sharks (94); again, I was fortunate enough to attend both games
3. Grant Fuhr becoming a Leaf (made me a Leafs' fan)
4. Sundin's return to Toronto (a very classy, touching reception)
5. Leafs against Minnesota (I think); they were down 5-0, and came back to win 6-5. Great television.

[Jack]

Hey I go back to the 61-62 Make Believes when I moved to TO - when Shack and F Mahovlich began ruining hockey - I hope the Make Believes suck forever.

[Jomac]

My favorite Leaf moment was the night Dave Keon returned to the Gardens as a member of the Hartford Whalers. The place was electric. the Leafs stunk at the time, we had so little to cheer for. Not only did Keon return, but so too did Gordie Howe. The Whalers stepped on the ice and skated around, after a few laps, Howe stepped on the ice, the place went crazy, 2 minutes later, Keon stepped on the ice. it was magic once again.
They beat the Leafs 4-2, Keon had 2 goals 2 assists and Gordie scored the 4th.

[Joh Woods]

I grew up reading Scott Young books, so my best memories pre-date the Clark and Gilmour days (though those were some good days too).

Firat place has to go to Sittler's 10 point game. I was a kid and was supposed to be in bed. I listened to it on the radio and when he got to 8 points ran out of my room to tell my dad he had broken the record. He asked how I knew. Oops.

Second place goes to BJ Salming for killing penalties by raggin gthe puck all over the ice. You would never see this today. He could skate in circles and kill 30-40 second before dumping it in deep and going for a change while the crowd roared.

Third place goes to the time I was lucky enough to be in the first row behind the visitor's bench in about '77 or '78. The Leafs were playing a Pulford-coached Chicago team and a puck went into their bench. I leaned forward and said "Mr. Pulford, can I have that puck?" and he grabbed it from one of his guys and handed it to me. Now the glass is 10 feet high behind the benches and we have netting around the end-boards, but I have my game-used puck.

[RD]

With less than a minute left, Leafs down 1-0, in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Hurricanes, Sundin scores.

[Winston]

The entire 1993 playoff run. I was born in 1981, so this was the first time the team was truly competitive. That, coupled with a true love of the game that is unique to kids made that spring something I won't forget. I vividly remember taking early naps so I could stay up and watch the late games on our pull-out couch in the living room.

Also, a close second would be the time I saw Gretzky live for my first and only time. It was at the Gardens and was also the last Leafs game I was able to attend live as i haven't been able to get tickets since the move. My mom used to take me to a game or two a year in the greys so this was a real treat.

[David]

the youtube vid of the Sundin 500, for those of you who've mentioned it already but couldnt be bothered to post it for ppl lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2tP42p25Ww

[Professor Moody]

Rob Brown vs Sylvain Lefebvre...Call by Joe Bowen...DOWN GOES BROWN!!!

[Chris Shea]

Not my greatest memory but certainly my earliest... (and why the NY Times has the recap online beats me) but I remember my sister taking me to this game when I was 10 years old.

I couldn't stop watching #99 the entire game.

http://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/09/sports/leafs-11-oilers-9.html

Honourable mention goes to Brad "Motor City Smitty" Smith's series winning breakaway goal against St Louis in 1987. Was at that game too and recall the atmosphere outside the Gardens... it was like they had won the Cup.

[Iain C]

Joe Nieuwendyk's goals against Patrick Lalime in the '04 playoffs. Both from the same angle, both right between Lalime's legs. Always great seeing Ottawa crumble in the playoffs am I right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfuBxEfFWvM