Game Day: A crucial win and the return of a familiar voice

Let's not mince words: The Leafs must win tonight.

They must beat the struggling Sabres, who are off to a dreadful 3-9-2 start and currently reside in the Eastern basement. They must grab two points against a team that will be without the mind-boggling, puck-stopping services of one Ryan Miller.

Not that it will be easy.

Buffalo has dominated Toronto in recent times, including taking 8 of the last 9 games at the ACC. Like a house fire in Cheektowaga, the Sabres have crackled and raged, smoking up the score and burning the Leafs night after night.

But with your indulgence, I'd like to talk about something else this morning.

When the puck drops, there will be a familiar voice in the enemy broadcast booth, a voice that breathed humour and insight into Leafs Nation for more than two decades.

It's been three years since Harry Neale left Toronto for Buffalo. And while this isn't a knock against anybody else, well, I still miss Harry.

I miss the way he made Joe Bowen unravel into turbo-charged bursts of laughter at least once a game. I miss his vivid similes and deranged metaphors. I miss the pitch-perfect chemistry he shared with Bob Cole during the late 80s and 90s.

Win or lose – and it was usually lose – Harry was a reliable beacon when Leaf fans felt lost at sea. On some nights, he was the best part of a game. Listening to Harry was like listening to an old friend who always jumped in at the right moment with the right words.

Anyway, since we can no longer hear him, I thought it would be nice to at least read him. I jotted down a few questions for our old friend and he was kind enough to reply. (Thanks to the Sabres' Chris Bandura for facilitating this on late notice.)

Q: Is there a memory that stands out from your time in Toronto?

"After my first game that I did, they asked me back to do another game. I didn't know why they did, but that is probably the biggest highlight! I do remember one time in Detroit, it was April Fool's. Midway through the second period, Joe Bowen ran out of the booth and said he was going to be sick and I had to take over the play-by-play duties. So for the rest of the period I had to handle both. When it was over, I looked behind me and Joe was standing with a producer and a stats guy laughing away, watching me sweat it out. That was a pretty funny memory. I think I did okay that night."

Q: What's the difference between Buffalo and Toronto fans?

"Buffalo fans are, I think, louder and more enthusiastic. I think the reason for this is that for many nights you have a decent amount of fans of the opposing team in the building. They really challenge the Buffalo fans to make noise. In Toronto, everyone in the building seems to be a Leafs fan."

Q: Is there anything you miss about Toronto?

"I miss the people I worked with there over the years. Everyone really knew their job and were great at it. I miss the guys and gals who work on the broadcast in the trucks and people like Joe Bowen and Mark Askin. They were a pleasure to work with and I learned a lot from them."

Q: What would it take to get you back?

"It would take a lot to get me back! For one, I don’t miss the traffic on the QEW. It is great to work where I live and I enjoy who I work with here. You should never say never but... probably never!"

Q: What’s your assessment of this current Leafs team?

"Better than last year and I can see what Brian Burke is doing to build a more complete team. He has firmed up the goaltending and defensive core. The forwards are the next group he is working on. The team is moving in the right direction. I'm not sure if they are a playoff team just yet, but they have made the right moves to be right in the mix. The need in my mind is to add some depth to the offensive side of things."

PHOTO: CBC PUBLICITY

Comments

[Paul E Duval]

The best commentater ever!!!!

[Steve G]

You CAN still hear Harry - every Sabre game is on WGR 550, as they simulcast the TV feed.

[Pyramid Power]

Love Harry! Miss him and his excellent analysis and outstanding sense of humour. I well remember him sending Joe Bowen mad with laughter, and me too for that matter. Still get to enjoy him on Sabres broadcasts once in awhile. Welcome back Harry!
Leafs looking horrendous so far in the first period. No energy at all, the ACC lifeless as are the Leafs.
I do not know why the Leafs would not have come out on fire tonight after the Sabres lost another last night to Montreal. Get it done Giggy and everyone. Gotta have this one.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

GRABBO!!!!

Great to see him get the 3000 pound gorilla off his back, and get on the board to give the Leafs a crucial 1-0 lead. Pile on in the second and come alive Toronto.
I hope we get an easy going away win tonight.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

Disgusting obscene soul crushing loss. Unbelievable!
Beauchemin and personnel who were unable to close out victory, and allow Hecht to get open to score his first of the year, and Enroth to get his first EVER NHL victory should be held accountable.
No pucks practice for the foreseeable future.
Why weren't our best defensive personnel on the ice in the closing seconds of an utterly critical victory for this win starved squad? Sickening!
Get Burkie behind the bench now!
I am far beyond disgusted with this hockey team right now.
Get practicing the shootouts Ronnie!
ANOTHER glaring weakness on this hockey club.

[Moe Green]

You knoew it was coming - at least I did. This is a turning point for this team. One of two things is true: Either the Leafs are a terrible team, or Ron Wilson is a terrible coach. It has to be one of the two. If they are this bad, then just swallow it and stop blaming Wilson. If they aren't this bad then Wilson has to go. Oh woe is this team and it's sorry fans, myself included. If they can't beat this horrible team - the worst they have faced this season - who can they beat? The Oilers? I wouldn't could on it. I have a feeling this season is nearly over. I hope I'm wrong, but how many playoff contenders can win one of their last NINE games. Their last NINE!!! You think they can beat anyone? Who?

[Fist]

I think I'm at the breaking point. At least Harry Neale was a highlight when the Leafs were pretty bad during the 80's. Now, there is nothing. The part that is killing me the most, is the draft picks for Kessel!! At least with the thought of a number one overall pick, there was something to look forward too at the end of the season. Kessel is part-time player. Versteeg is brutal too..lazy, floats around the ice, hogs the puck, misses the net on every shot. Tonight's game was a like watching a beer league game. Will this ever turn around?? Harry, come back to Toronto, and provide some laughter for long-suffering Leaf fans.

[Stan]

brutal. THAT SHOT HAS TO BE BLOCKED. IT'S FUNDAMENTAL HOCKEY BASED ON DESIRE, IQ, AND complete submission to the cause which is winning a hockey game. fall to the ice and BLOCK IT. AND GIGUERE HAS TO CONTROL REBOUNDS. lacking fundamentals is a luxury that this team cannot afford - they aren't talented or confident enough offensively to miss basic assignments.

[Bob]

Just think if the next 10 games are the same as the last 10 all we are going to here about is Boston getting another to top three pick in the draft.

[sam]

You say the Leafs got beat by the worst team in the league.What`d they do,play against themselves ?

[Lewis McClain]

the problem is Wilson....these guys are gripping the stick to hard. afraid to make a mistake. No confidence.....

[Lewis McClain]

Sure do miss Harry....the best...he and Joe.....

[the greater one]

Bigger Homer Than Cherry

[Steve C.]

Thank you for remembering Neale too. Leaf broadcasts have for the most part replaced him with Greg Millen which is a disgrace. I've written letters to LeafsTV, Sportsnet and CBC complaining about this for years now. This market appreciates a little HUMOUR coming from the 'colour' commentator - not incessant and repetitive statements of the obvious. And the 'homerism' is nauseating even from the perspective of a Leaf fan.
Going from the best (Neale) to the worst (Millen) hurts.

[Asher]

The interviewer left out the most crucial question to ask: Who has the better goal call? Rick Jenerette or Joe Bowen?