Commenting Thread: Toronto at Buffalo
PHOTO: BILL WIPPERT/NHL1 VIA GETTY IMAGES
« Game 57: Thank you, Boston | Main | Game 58: Pure and utter joy »
PHOTO: BILL WIPPERT/NHL1 VIA GETTY IMAGES
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
A Leafs Fan Blogs is written by one fan for other fans. Vinay Menon, a columnist at the Star, will cast an optimistic eye on the team during the 2010-11 season. Because hope springs eternal in Leafs Nation.
Click here to see the Leafs' schedule.
Woohoo! Let's start this trade with some good positive mojo!
GO LEAFS GO!
GO KESSEL GO!
GO GRABO GO!
GO LUPUL GO!
GO MACARTHUR GO!
GO KULEMIN GO!
GO BOYCE GO!
GO BOZAK GO!
GO HANSON GO!
GO CRABB GO!
GO HANSON GO!
GO SCHENN GO!
GO KABERLE GO!
GO AULIE GO!
GO PHANEUF GO!
...and the rest, you go too. Except you Komi, you score on the wrong net.
Posted by: Alecia | 02/16/2011 at 07:00 PM
Game time, hopefully I'll be in front of the TV for the entire game and not in front of the computer because I'm pissed off with events.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 02/16/2011 at 07:01 PM
Don't leave me alone here with Pierre McGuire!
Posted by: TimB | 02/16/2011 at 07:05 PM
First one here, first one here.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 07:05 PM
Um excuse me Vinay, I thought there was to be no more Commenting Threads after that Habs game?
VM Replies: Oh my God. You're right! But it's too late.
If Buffalo jumps out of the gate, I will delete this post.
Posted by: Cassidy_Schenn | 02/16/2011 at 07:10 PM
Sorry Waffles.
Posted by: Alecia | 02/16/2011 at 07:11 PM
Alecia gets comment of the night for her last sentence.
Posted by: Simon | 02/16/2011 at 07:22 PM
man it's great to Kessel involved in the play. I like this guy.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 07:23 PM
Damn it, another night, another mission D:
At least its at 9.30 tonight and not 8.30 :v
VM Replies: How long do these missions last?
Posted by: Tom | 02/16/2011 at 07:27 PM
Thank you Vinay...if Leafs rise to occasion and pull on out tonight I will feel vindicated, as far as Commenting threads go at least.
VM Replies: It's true, the original idea was yours. If they win tonight, you generated good karma.
But if things go south, there will be no more standalone comment threads and your IP will be banned from all Star content.
Posted by: wcdixon | 02/16/2011 at 07:27 PM
i have a good feeling about this game.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 07:28 PM
... no a REALLY good feeling.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 07:29 PM
@moe, me too!!
I feel great. We are winning this. Yes, we are.
Posted by: Alecia | 02/16/2011 at 07:30 PM
@VM: Typically an hour to 2.5 hours... depending on if anything unexpected happens :p
Posted by: Tom | 02/16/2011 at 07:31 PM
That said, I better comment some then. Why does Phaneuf seem so unsure and tentative with the puck of late..tonight even more so? I'd swear he had just joined the team if I parachuted in to watch. I know he's no Paul Coffey (I need some more recent references) but still...! Oh great...ANOTHER penalty.
Posted by: wcdixon | 02/16/2011 at 07:34 PM
On the Buffalo pp ennis is the most dangerous guy.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 07:37 PM
Holy penalties.
Posted by: Tom | 02/16/2011 at 07:38 PM
very very nice kills
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 07:38 PM
Well done Leafs. Survived the first. Now on to the second. I have a feeling we're gonna have a great second.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 07:42 PM
Good kills!
Posted by: TimB | 02/16/2011 at 07:43 PM
Two on three early and all three Leafs congregate on puck carrier, leaving Ennis alone in front to ring it off the post. Better get better organized than that.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 07:46 PM
Whoa...Vinay the Executioner?
'Please sir, can I have some more?' (Oliver Twist to Mr. Bumble)
VM Replies: I am impressed with the versatility of your Dickens.
Posted by: maxwelledison | 02/16/2011 at 07:47 PM
Would I be considered a homer if I called bullcrap on 2 of those 3 penalties? I mean for god sake what the heck did that ref think Kaleta was going to do except run into Brent? He falls down like a figure skater, result -penalty. Thought the call on Grabbo was very weak as well. Looked like a good defensive play to me.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 02/16/2011 at 07:50 PM
I want to thank my wife for going to bed early so I can watch the game almost live, so far.
.
We share the TV and have a lot of mutual favourites we watch together via PVR.
.
With our "terrible" taste in TV, just finished watching new favourite Harry's Law and established favourite The Good Wive.
.
Will probably get caught up to live action by start of 2nd period.
.
Right now BIG save by Miller on MacArthur.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 07:53 PM
8:43 to go in 1st. Agree with McGuire. leafs looking decent so far.
VM Replies: The second period is about to start, William. There's now a PVR gap in your space-time continuum. This thread will be full of spoilers!
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 07:55 PM
Hoping Leaf coaches pointed out Buff forwards go hard to the net and make it tough for Giguere to corral pucks. Perhaps try something SIMILAR at the other end!
Posted by: 80s Leafs | 02/16/2011 at 07:55 PM
Actually Vinay, it starts with a high quality, yet unfettered column, and a dynamite creator/moderator!
Non pariel!
But I'm still not going to watch the game!
Posted by: maxwelledison | 02/16/2011 at 07:57 PM
It's easy to beat Miller. The key is to accurately shoot at the net, obviously. But here's the clever bit: Shoot at the net, but shoot at the part of the net that isn't blocked by a part of his equipment and shoot at that area with a velocity such that his reflexes are unable to respond in a timely manner. It's easy.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 07:58 PM
REMIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Alecia | 02/16/2011 at 07:59 PM
Ha, Vinay, you said Dickens.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:00 PM
Is Giggy's groin iffy or has he been traded?
VM Replies: That groin is determined to not get traded.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:01 PM
Oh no, is the Jiggy hurt again?
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:02 PM
Going LIVE now.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:02 PM
Reimer in...Giguere out. I actually see this as a good thing. Leafs got to start mounting a more consistent offensive attack now. And Kessel scores...yes!
Posted by: wcdixon | 02/16/2011 at 08:04 PM
Listen to that cheer in the enemy building. KEEEEESSSSSEEELLLLLLLL!!!!!
VM Replies: That was almost louder than the ACC after a goal. Great to see them get the first one. With the poor string of games in Buffalo over last couple of years, the crowd factor has been a non-issue.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:05 PM
LEAFS SCORE --- Kessel
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:05 PM
KESSEL!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Alecia | 02/16/2011 at 08:05 PM
good post-goal analysis, and praise, from guess who
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:07 PM
Was there an update on Giguere during intermission? Had to watch Family Guy. Whats the word? Is it groin?
VM Replies: "Lower body injury."
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:09 PM
Thank you Gord Miller, lower body injury. Groin injury, in layman's terms.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:10 PM
Observation: Team on brink of playoff spot has scattered empty seats in home game.
.
Team well out of playoffs has arena routinely sold out
.
Conclusion: Attendance not always a barometer of a team's ability.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:10 PM
Oh god this is making me happy.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:12 PM
Miller goalstick problem has me stumped.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:12 PM
'Thup homies? What'd I miss? My feed is kinda crap.
This really confused me when I first read it: "On the Buffalo pp ennis is the most dangerous guy."
(Hopefully you'll see why.)
But woot, first goal.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 02/16/2011 at 08:12 PM
Oh yeah, forgot. Watching live means no skipping through commercials. LOL
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:13 PM
Vinay, we can not afford another goalie injury. If he is hurt again it is bad news. Real bad.
VM Reples: Bus has a broken finger, out a minimum 4 weeks. Conflicting info about Goose but he could come back.
Otherwise, if Jiggy has indeed chipped his glass groin again, there's an outside chance the backup goalie on Saturday will be... Ben Scrivens?
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:13 PM
I thought I was happy before. I am really happy now. I can feel a tingling in my lower body.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:14 PM
Can now use commercials for bathroom breaks and stay to watch Leaf PPs
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:15 PM
NO BAD MOJO. TALK JIGGY LATER!
VM Replies: Now you're yelling at us. That Grabovski picture has turned you into a monster.
Posted by: Alecia | 02/16/2011 at 08:16 PM
Phaneuf needs to take my "scoring on Miller" advice. Kessel did.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:17 PM
Would be irresponsible for Gord Miller to say "groin" if all Leafs said was "lower body".
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:17 PM
Guys come on, back up goalie will be Timmy Brent.
VM Replies: Comment of The Day contender.
Posted by: Alecia | 02/16/2011 at 08:19 PM
I bet Gustavsson is fine. Just an optional procedure to keep him down and get roster relief. Just a guess.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:19 PM
You-know-who between benches piles on more praise for Leafs, this time their power play.
.
Too bad he has no credibility given how despised he is here. (wg)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:19 PM
@Sensi-Bill Miller never said anything but the report from the Leafs. I was paraphrasing his 'lower body injury'. He's on the bench so it has to be minor.
VM Replies: I bet it was a panic attack.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:20 PM
Leafs survive bad giveaway deep in own end by #28, whoever that is.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:22 PM
Moe, athletes don't have optional surgery during the season. Especially not an electric wire fed through an artery to his heart.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:23 PM
Did Phil get lost? How did he find himself in open space in the SLOT?
.
Seriously though, well done, Phil.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:24 PM
Justa aside thought: Is the ice at HSBC Arena made with blue cheese?
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:29 PM
From my experience, if you need an electric wire --- or two --- fed into your heart, then you get it done and don't wait for your "summer holidays".
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:30 PM
I guess you are right Waffles. Just seemed like perfect timing for the Leafs.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:31 PM
Sloppy but enthusiastically energetic is best way I can describe Leafs in that period...but still sloppy. Too many blocked shots and errant passes. Lucky for us, Buffalo seems a little off. Onto the third.
Posted by: wcdixon | 02/16/2011 at 08:32 PM
I seem to be doing "colour commentary". No one doing play-by-play?.
.
I suspect everyone too busy watching. I'll try to be quiet line the third. (g)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/16/2011 at 08:33 PM
Fast, entertaining hockey game tonight. Lots of chances at both ends. Reimer looks awesome, please God don't let Timmy Brent play goal.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:36 PM
When Gustavsson was sent down for a two week conditioning stint we all felt it would be better if he spent the rest of the season there giving Reimer the opportunity to stay up for the rest of the season.
A minor injury would have been the ticket to keep him there and get roster relief for the team.
I think they may have decided to perform a surgery that could have waited until the season ended. Under the guise that it was necessary now. Hence him being pulled from a game with an elevated heart rate.
That's what I am saying. Just a guess.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:36 PM
Wow! The Litho Rollers are up in the tenth and last inning 5 to 1 over the Godfathers Four, at the Marin Bocce Federation Tourney, live from San Rafael.
And the Rollers have the polino as well!
Hmm. Wonder if retribution will fester-up late tonite? But,,, huh-what's this... a flatscreen intervention? Geez- it's the mrs. with all four dogs and the two airhead cats. OMG... 'You wanna watch Tyra Banks? America's what? Huh? They watch this stuff too?
... Beer time in the kitchen, Vinay! ... I'm out.
VM Replies: Godspeed. An unsolicited suggestion from a former TV critic: You may need to upgrade your potent potable. Beer is no match for America's Next Top Model.
Posted by: maxwelledison | 02/16/2011 at 08:39 PM
I'm digging Mr. Joffrey Lupul out there. Man, our goalies just can't catch a break. I will be fretting and pacing like a mother hen if/when Jonas plays again. I know I bag on the guy, but I don't want to see him push himself into an even worse situation.
Also, haven't heard announcers this complimentary of the Leafs in a while. And finally, as if trading Kaberle wasn't enough to make me cringe, they mentioned trading Supes?? Ay chihuahua, I feel faint. I don't like the sound of trading Gunnarson either. Let's move Lebda and 'Kahmasarek'. Somewhere, anywhere.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 02/16/2011 at 08:40 PM
@Moe, from a lifetime sports fan. If you are suggesting a phony procedure, it does happen. As soon as they said it was a heart surgery, it was real and necessary, immediately. If they said an arthroscopic knee surgery, or turf toe, I would be more inclined to agree it was possible.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:42 PM
Don't know if Vinay interpreted my vision correctly.Does this mean I won't get a parakeet?
Posted by: TimB | 02/16/2011 at 08:43 PM
Where did everyone go? Intermission is SO boring without the commenting in the blog. C'mon people lets talk it up. One period to go, back to back wins on consecutive nights is twenty minutes away. GO LEAFS GO!
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:49 PM
Here's a fun office prank. Program your ringtone to something really lame, Slip it into your bosses pocket then call it during a meeting with the board of directors. A good choice would be "Vida Loca." Other suggestions?
VM Replies: Instead of lame what about lyrically offensive? Body Count.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:51 PM
@Boo Who, you nice lady are an optimist. Move Lebda and Komisarek. Call United Van Lines, perhaps they could move them to parts unknown.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:52 PM
Lupul! Arghh...robbed. Keep attacking...can't lay back...these Leafs don't win 1-0 games.
Posted by: wcdixon | 02/16/2011 at 08:53 PM
@Moe, Baby, Baby, song by the Biebs. Or any Lady Gaga song. Or Kesha perhaps might work.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:54 PM
I think Lupul is gonna score next Boo!
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:57 PM
Five on freakin threeeeeee! Lupes, Supes, someboady score!!!
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 08:57 PM
HEEEEEEEY. Just got back from kids hockey game Leafs look like they are play well. And look at Kessel!
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 02/16/2011 at 08:58 PM
Vinay, if you have a digital copy of Cop Killer, we have to talk. The unedited song, of course.
VM Replies: I have the CD somewhere.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 08:58 PM
Do you mean the unedited CD with the Cop Killer track? Please say yes.
VM Replies: The opening track, right? Yeah, the entire CD is definitely not censored. All these years later, I've never heard anything that comes remotely close to being as deliberately provocative.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 09:01 PM
Oh man. You can just *see* the trainwreck thats going to happen in the next five minutes.
Posted by: Tom | 02/16/2011 at 09:02 PM
This... this is not good. I would strongly recommend a shorty right about now. A kill of course, but a shorty. For the kids. Please baby jesus, a shorty.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 09:03 PM
Or not.
Posted by: Tom | 02/16/2011 at 09:05 PM
Joeeeeeeey Crabbbbbbbbb, yes baby.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 09:05 PM
wooooHOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 02/16/2011 at 09:05 PM
Craboops!
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 09:05 PM
J.O.E.Y.
Posted by: palbo | 02/16/2011 at 09:06 PM
Waffles - panicked and desperate is more accurate than optimistic.
DO NOT let them tie this game dammit.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 02/16/2011 at 09:07 PM
Okay cool things down boys. Cool things out!
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 09:09 PM
awwwwwwwwww!
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 02/16/2011 at 09:09 PM
2 man advantage for half a period (okay it felt that long) and nothing?! Then a short-handed goal...Huh? But yay! Followed by a Buffalo marker. 2-1. Gak. I'm starting to pace and sweat.
VM Replies: It's going to be okay. They are going to be okay.
Posted by: wcdixon | 02/16/2011 at 09:09 PM
Yikes hang in there Reimer. 9 minutes left until an epic win!
Posted by: Ryan | 02/16/2011 at 09:10 PM
Boo Who, anyone who thinks that they could trade Komisarek or Lebda is an optimist in my books.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 09:11 PM
This is not the trainwreck Leafs. That was the Versteeg Leafs.
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 09:11 PM
Shh.... It's going to be okay. We will persevere. Faith people, have some faith.
Posted by: Alecia | 02/16/2011 at 09:11 PM
Hang in there Reimer. Be stronger than you ever thought possible. Do it for Jiggy's groin.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 02/16/2011 at 09:13 PM
OK Lupul has got to score one now.
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 02/16/2011 at 09:14 PM
"Makes himself look big?" What is he a shape shifter?
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 09:14 PM
Faith. What else. This is the NEW LEAFS!
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 09:16 PM
Waffles - I ain't gonna argue no more. Just stop saying the 'L' word please.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 02/16/2011 at 09:17 PM
... a frilled lizard?
Posted by: moe green | 02/16/2011 at 09:18 PM