Game 77: The Leafs call another time-out on reality

What a wild night.

It's a good thing there are only five games remaining. I don't know what to write anymore. So maybe it's best if I just cut-and-paste a few sentences from recent weeks that, once again, seem applicable.

"This young team is hitting its stride." "The Leafs refuse to quit." "This could go down to the wire." "If the dream is dead, someone forgot to tell them." "Who knows what tomorrow may bring."

That's about it, really. Who the hell knows?

In the real world, the odds remain bleak. But these guys no longer inhabit the real world. They left the real world in January. They are now living on a remote island in a parallel universe where odds and numbers and standings are a mirage.

They are immune to reality. And as such, we are on the outside looking in, forced to make sense of this surreal push and endless loop of stirring, near-death victories.

Last night, just as 17 nights before, they beat Buffalo by a 4-3 score.

The surreal spectacle started at 1:34 of the first when Dion Phaneuf barreled down the left side and unleashed a howitzer from the blueline that made Ryan Miller look like Dennis Miller on sleeping pills.

It's possible the Buffalo goaltender – NHL player of the week and long-time haunter of Toronto dreams – simply forgot the month. I mean, if it was December, his frozen reaction to a Phaneuf wind-up would make sense.

In December, that shot does not catch the far corner, as it did last night. In December, that shot does not even catch the far boards. Instead, it explodes off the captain’s stick and forces spectators in the upper bowl to throw popcorn in the air as they run for cover.

But it's not December. It's March and everything about this team is different. The focus, the determination, the resilience, it's all different. The surreal late-season push is different. The atmosphere inside the ACC is different.

When James Reimer, a religious fellow who does not even swear, begins embellishing contact to draw a penalty, you just know it's all different now.

In December, Nazem Kadri looked like a toddler lost at the mall. In March, he has found his game. He was a force to be reckoned with for two periods, blazing around the ice, carrying the puck with poise and verve.

The second goal, banged in by Darryl Boyce at 18:46 of the first, came after Kadri literally willed his way to the net. The third goal, scored by Clarke MacArthur, came after Kadri made a beautiful cross-ice pass, his weapon of choice during this second tour of duty.

In December, the Leafs would’ve been demoralized by Buffalo’s first goal, which came with 12 seconds left in the opening period. They would’ve collapsed after surrendering two goals in 30 seconds, which allowed the Sabres to knot the game 3-3 in the second.

But it’s March and these guys are in their own deranged universe.

After Mikhail Grabovski corralled a dazzling pass from Phil Kessel and snapped the puck in to restore the lead, the stage was set for another wild finish.

Has anybody checked on Joe Bowen this morning? Should we send over a cup of tea with honey? Does he have laryngitis? My God, as the clock ticked down and Buffalo pressed – creating several harrowing moments – how Bowen did not spit out his tongue and vocal cords is a mystery.

You know something? We were all Joe Bowen last night.

We were reduced to the same guttural sounds – "Gaah!" "Eeya!” "Ooowee!" We were speaking gibberish. We were hoarse with delirium. We were barking repetitive exclamations at the TV – "Kill this penalty! Kill it!" "Stop that shot, Reims! Stop it!" "Clear the puck! Clear it!"

When the final buzzer sounded, I was shocked to find myself in the exact same position as Reimer, with a couple of minor differences. He was kneeling on the ice, looking up and smiling. I was kneeling on the floor, looking at my chest and begging my heart to restart.

So it's Boston tomorrow. Brace yourself for another wild night.

No matter what happens over the next five games, you really have to admire these guys for doing all those things I mentioned in the third paragraph.

Grim reality is rarely this much fun to watch.

MAIN PHOTO: RENE JOHNSTON/TORONTO STAR

Comments

[Wandering Penguin]

I love Joe Bowen. When the games are dull he just giggles away in the booth and takes your mind off of the stupor. But when they are NOT dull he is like the horror soundtrack that makes every closed door seem like it has a killer with a knife behind it. Every single play in the final minute of last night's game seemed like the most exciting play in the history of the Leafs because of Joe's incredible shrinking voice. I was almost weeping at the end of the game and it's because Mr. Bowen has his heart firmly pinned to his sleeve with this team and doesn't seem to mind who knows it.

I also really liked what you said about Kadri. He's not a particularly big guy but he sure likes to get his nose dirty with the puck on his stick. There are a couple of young lads in Chicago who play that way and they pulled a Cup out of thin air last year. I love it when players don't sit around and wait for a teammate to show up but rather just push everyone into the net at the same time and let the dust settle. I really wish Kessel would learn this style of play - he could be the next Cam Neely with his build.

And I have to say this, because I had expressed doubts about his promotion: Dion Phaneuf is acting every bit like the captain this team needs. The way he has elevated his game the past couple of months is glorious. To be fair, though, it may not be "elevating" so much as a return to form...which would be the best news the Leafs have had in a long, long time. I still maintain he came to us injured and if he's healthy next year....

I'm just happy I get to watch hockey through my fingers again. It has been a long time.

[Peter]

great peice, VM. a nice way to start the day.
i have to say i did not have the nerves to watch the game last night (the wife would have been upset anyway), so i was watching something on HBO and feeling sick to my stomack. :-)
i know the odds are stacked against the Leafs but i don't care. i just want them to go out there and try to win every game. nothing esle matters.

[Strazz]

It's funny you bring up Joe Bowen... last night, i was thinking about how Joe, probably the best colour commentator in the league, truly deserves to commentate in the playoffs. how amazing would that be? we got a taste last night. poor guy is definitely doing his part to get the leafs nation together, even when they're 7 points behind before last nights game. Compare Bowen to the two incredibly dull and biased commentators from minnesota the other night.

lets do it for JOE!

[maxwelledison]

Good Morning Vinay!

Ahh. Another sun-filled morning.
Great game... one of the best this year!

Playoff-type stuff.

[Sue]

One of your best blogs yet!

Same seats for Thursday! Appeared to work last night! Don't know if I can take the gut churning stress for much longer but I will be there!

VM Replies: Good morning, Sue and all. I've spent the last hour trying to put out fires over a story in which I had absolutely no involvement.
Sigh, bloody sigh. This place doesn't pay me enough.
Yes! There was good voodoo in the booth last night. I suspect the nudity helped, so keep that in mind before tomorrow's game.

[leafland'r]

The Leafs have heightened my admiration. Since their development from the all-star break, I realllllly do "have to admire these guys".

[Ken Baumgartner]

Good morning Vinay and everyone else. It was indeed a great game last night.

I just don't know what to think. One the one hand, there is no question that this team has potential. They are young and there is a chemistry about them that seems real. Everything you say about the way they have been playing true. Every last word. I want to believe it is the start of real progress.

Then on the other hand, is this more false hope? Sure Reimer is saying this is a playoff team, even though they are not right now. They could do damage in the playoffs. They deserve to be there yadda yadda. I have heard that story before from the mouth of Mats Sundin and others many times. No disrespect to Reimer and his potential but Mats was the real deal. He did carry this team on his back not only for 25 games but consistantly for many seasons. Talk is cheap and what good is a late season surge,half a season really, if they miss the playoffs? That has been done before.

I am conflicted, I want to believe that this team will rise from the depths of crappiness through mediocrity, to the heights of elite contender. I really do, but should history not be ingored until it stops repeating itself? How does one take a blind leap of faith when history is a slap in the face.

My Spidey senses says take the leap, the facts say take a flying leap.

I need some ALF B Therapy.

VM Replies: Bomber, no therapy session or plate of lemon squares can alleviate the mixed feelings you rightfully hold.
For what it's worth, though, I really believe you should take the leap. This surge, even if it falls short again, is for real. It's not 10 or 15 games. It's not a sputtering, last-gasp, emotionally-doomed journey.
They've been going gangbusters since the New Year.
And we are not at the end of the blueprint. This is the most important factor. Burke is not done. It's going to be a busy summer.
I'm not suggesting you ignore the lack of playoffs yet again. Given what was promised in the summer, this can only be seen as a failure.
But it's a failure in the short-term and, in exchange, the long-term is brighter than it has been for a very long time.
Just my opinion.

[leafland'r]

.....and Vinay, I really do have to admire your writing. If you were a hockey team you would be a Stanley Cup Champion.

VM Replies: Thank you, leafland'r.

[Michael C. Nemirsky]

Well, well, well, the hopes of leaf nation lives on! Way to go you glorious leaf bastards. Hard to believe we actually beat Miller, the leaf killer, three times in a row. This would be a good time for all leaf fans to purchase a lottery ticket. 30 months ago, I had a heart transplant, and the new one has been getting quite the workout! It's hanging in there, but, I am sure the expiration date is moving up considerably. Well worth it as I have not enjoyed this much excitement and joy in many moons. Their is something to be said about never quitting, and the boys in blue, have got the blueprint for it. Too bad they didn't locate it in November or December, or like James said, we could make some noise this year. It's been fun, a little stressful, but, overall the team has amazed with their hard work. Great column VM, par for the course. You and Joe Bowen are great cheerleaders for this team and it sure is nice to hear some actual emotion from the suits at the ACC. No matter if we get into the playoffs(still hoping), damn proud to be a leaf fan!

VM Replies: The crowd was electric last night. I almost wish they had white towel night a couple of months ago.
What a beautiful sight and sound.

[Geoff Read]

Phaneuf's finding his game might be the most important development this season for the Leafs going forward.

I flipped to the Leafs' game a few times last night and have to admit I was impressed by the energy they showed. Tenacious. Swarming the Sabres. Not to be denied. It was good stuff. Even Kadri as you note, showed some grit and determination. It speaks well of the team's character that after the loss to Detroit, when the potential was there for a big letdown, they showed up with effort and hustle.

Montreal added a little bit of that pepper to their game last night and lo and behold it produced some goals and a victory. Hopefully they've learned their lesson.

I sincerely hope the Leafs pummel the Bruins. But... that Bruins team looks awfully good (as much as it pains me to admit it).

@ Penguin: "I really wish Kessel would learn this style of play - he could be the next Cam Neely with his build." You must be joking. Cam Neely was 6' 1" and 215 lbs in an era when players were significantly smaller than they are now. He essentially set the mold for power forwards. Kessel is 6' 200 lbs in an era where that makes him undersized. A more realistic hope would be that Kessel can be the next Mark Recchi - who was a damn good player in his heyday.

VM Replies: Your team was supposed to keep losing and keep not scoring goals.
Talk to them. Please.

[jt]

Another great game by!

We may be mathematically out (almost) but it's still fun to watch them battle. Really impressed with Kadri's play as well, very curious to see what happens next year.

Great post once again Vinay.

VM Replies: Kadri clearly does not want to go back down. Yes, training camp should be interesting. Kadri and Colborne -- two scorpions in a bottle.

[Melissa]

Again Vinay, you bring me the smiles this morning. My hands were sweating/shaking profusely yesterday. And Joe Bowen?! The leafs need to get into playoffs just for this man who wears his Leafs love on his sleeve. He makes me laugh (Reiminister of Defense? come on!) and bleed with him. I remember his playoff game 7 call on Borshevsky in OT on the radio as he screamed and I screamed.
.
Your paper was quite the talk of the radio station this morning. Hope you're a firefighter! Helmet on Vinay! (don't forget the visor)

VM Replies: Good morning, Melissa. Dare I ask what was said on the radio? Actually, never mind.
I don't want to know.

[moe green]

Well said Vinay and well done guys. I can't help feeling down not in spite of but because of the way they are playing. This is the team I knew they were all season long. This isn't a team that is ready to cruise to a championship but it is a team that - given the competition - should have cruised into the playoffs. This is the same team that failed to show up for work so many nights. If only they were worse the flirtation with the playoffs this season wouldn't hurt so much.

I think Phaneuf is finally healthy again. It seems so long ago but this is the way he played before his horrendous injury. He should be back to his Norris contending form next season. Or at least he will have no excuses. I do believe that we are seeing the real Grabovski. Kulemin will be the same workhorse he is this year. Kessel has thus far been Kessel. We really need him to move to the next level. I hope he's in the mood.

It ain't quite over but we're getting no help from any of the teams we have to catch. Let's hope the stars align next season. I'm afraid that next year we won't have New Jersey and the Islanders or even Ottawa to kick around. Next year the playoffs will not satisfy me either. Next year this team will have to be a serious contender for the cup. Two or three off-season acquisitions should do it.

[Wandering Penguin]

I agree with the comments about the crowd. When Bowen mentioned that they were standing at the ACC during the last minute you could hear even HIS excitement level rise, and that's hard to do. I can't even imagine the difference it must have made on the ice.

[TimB]

@Michael C. Funny you mention the transplant.I had a quadruple bypass a few years back and I'm booked for a stress test on the 14th.I was saying last night if I have survived these last couple of months,I should be good to go.Good morning from another "zipper club" member.

[talljohn57]

whats this story in the paper yesterday im missing out on?

VM Replies: I don't want to talk about it, talljohn57.

[Wandering Penguin]

Kessel is very stocky and incredibly strong on his skates when he WANTS to be. I wasn't opining that he was a mirror image of Neely. So, no, I wasn't joking, but thanks.

[Geoff Read]

@Penguin
- That's why I think the comparison to Recchi is a much better one than to Neely: Recchi is incredibly stocky and strong on his skates too, but closer in his size and skillset to Kessel than Neely.

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

I got a few funny looks when I did a fist pump (with a "Yesssss") in the middle of my meeting last night when I saw the final score on my phone. Now I'm seriously considering scheduling another meeting for tomorrow night just to keep the mojo going. But that superstitious stuff doesn't work, does it Vinay?

VM Replies: It does work, LFiL. In fact, now that you've publicly mentioned this, you *have* to schedule another meeting for tomorrow.
Those are the rules.

[Billy]

Wow - Thankfully my heart was not on the verge of stopping last night. I did not get to see the third period because a new episode of Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosuars was on. (needless to say, the refresh button on my BB is a little worn out this morning.)

Now for the reality check - (the good one) THESE GUYS ARE FOR REAL. Mark my words, this team is quickly moving to elite status. As they are now, its minimum 4-6 place next year. If they add a few pieces that work, look out.

Now, if they get any closer in the next couple of games, I will gladly set the PVR for Harry and let my 3 year old go wild while I try to keep my heart from stopping.

After further thought, I may need another PVR to record the Kardashians show too.

VM Replies: The Kardashians? Look at what this team is doing to all of us.

[Michael C. Nemirsky]

@TimB, good luck on your stress test! Actually, I am a member of the "double zipper club". I was on a mechanical heart for 2 months waiting for a suitable donor. The key to stress tests, don't watch a leaf game the night before! Hopefully, you will have that option to deal with! Go Leafs Go!

[Matt Taylor]

I agree, living in the states I'm forced to constantly endure Mike Emrick and Pierre Maguire for hocky on NBC, and they are horrible. Watching hockey is just more fun with Joe Bowen in the booth. My favorite thing is the alliterative phrases he comes up with for the goalies at the start of every game, always gives me a good chuckle.

I found myself during the game last night beginning to try and evaluate the team for next year. If Kadri continues playing like he is, I'd like to see the Leafs try to resign Boyce for fairly cheap, creating a good third line of Armstrony, Kadri, and Boyce. That'd be a good combination of scoring and checking, especially if Kadri continues to develop defensively (I really enjoyed watching him cover the D-man last night on a pinch, acting as the last man back). In addition, I think Tim Brent has certainly earned himself a job next year if he comes at the right price. This would essentially mean the Leafs would have a significant amount of money to both re-sign Macarthur with and possibly get Richards or another top line center.

[Alecia]

I love Joe Bowen. I gather I need to go watch the last minute of play?
Is he okay today? Are any of us?

[Robert]

Well, I finally cleaned up the mess. Got the cat out of the chandelier and washed down the walls.
Do you suppose there could be 82 of these next year? Is it possible they are scouring silicon valley for a clone for Joe Bowen? One could do the home games and one the away games. With interchangeable voice boxes.
ls it okay if they don't take Greg Millen with them?
If this team only had a coach! Never mind the PP and the PK these magnificent colts are doing this on their own.
Nobody but a dense, egotistical crackpot, would make the moves Ronnie does in the third period.
I think there should be a plaque for Dallas Eakins for the work he has done with Kadri and others. I am not totally convinced on Kadri, he had a good night, but he is playing for his future life in the NHL. Got to do that every night.
Well, I better go down to the vets and get some tranqs for the cat!
Beautiful BLUE sky here in Nova Scotia.

[Billy]

Vin- Clarification (which you probably get) - PVRing the Kardashians is for my wife. (at least that's what I am telling people).

Man - Whenever this season ends, what the heck are we supposed to do in the off season? Any plans for a "Gardening Fan Blog"?

VM Replies: I do get what you're saying, unfortunately.
In the pre-PVR days, I used to set the VCR to tape Temptation Island for Mrs. ALF B. Then I'd nervously flip through magazines in another room as she drank hard lemonade and silently contemplated tropical infidelity.
P.S. If my lawn could talk, it would tell you a gardening blog is probably not the best idea.

[Phil]

The Leafs won.Habs scored a goal.All is well in the world.

[Jon]

Vinay u magnificent blog writing bastard !! I just REALLY like the look of this team as they are starting to evolve into something special. Vinay, i have a question for u...does it get under your skin at all to see articles in the star, like yesterday, talking about fans of other teams in Toronto laughing at Leaf's nation? I mean i wonder if that idiot with the red wings bar was cheering for them in the 70's and 80's ? It's so easy to say, 'i cheer for a winner'...its just going to be that much sweeter when the Leafs start doing some damage next year !

VM Replies: Yes, those stories get on my nerves. I almost wish Bomber hadn't mentioned it yesterday morning.
I don't care if people don't like the Leafs as much as I do. I don't care if people want them to fail. But when I hear some morally reprehensible douchebag say he hopes their plane falls out of the sky, that's where the line gets real clear.
Anyway, it's over now and hopefully we can all move on.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Yikes. You know VM, I thought the same thing about Reimer last night. This is a kid with high morals and values and look what the end of the season did to him: he actually dove on that play.
.
On the topic of Joe Bowen: every time I hear his voice, it sends me back to the mid-90s when he used to do radio commentary for Leaf games with Mark Kepchur (?!? help me out here). Our family's only TV broke down and for a few years we had no television as my parents thought we would become better children by not having one to watch all day. This in turn led to me tuning in to every Leaf game on the radio where Joe was the play-by-play guy. Ahhh... nostalgia at its best! My heart used to race whenever I heard "Sundin gets the pass from Gilmour, he scorrrrrrrrrrres!!!"

VM Replies: Is it Mark Hebscher? He did radio colour for a bit in the mid-90s. I think he's in Hamilton now, though I could be wrong about that.

[moe green]

Well said Robert. I particularly like "dense, egotistical crackpot" and concur.

[Nick]

Long time reader,first time poster haha...

Vinnay my man, you can't lose faith here with the boys. They need us beleafer's right now. Buffalo has a tough finish to their season. They have quite a few back to backs left..hopefully lady luck is on our side and we some how leap frog them with a win against the Habs to close out the season.

Here's a little line we like to use with the folks at U of Ottawa...until the Maple Leafs are mathematically eliminated, they remain the cup favourites. It drives Sens fans nuts haha.

Cheers

VM Replies: Welcome, Nick. Nice to have you aboard for the last five games.

[Matt Taylor]

Yeah that story yesterday about other fans in Toronto laughing about the Leafs really bothered me too. A) Why write a story about people who are that bitter and hateful and have no impact on the sports world as a whole. and B) Why write about that now? Is it really necessary for that reporter and those people to rub it in at the end of the season? That has always been one of my biggest pet peeves as a sports fan, that some people will take delight in another fan base's collective misery and a long-suffering team's failure. It's one thing to hate the Yankees or the Steelers or the Red Wings because they're good/stacked/sucessful, but it's truly another to take delight in the failure of the Leafs/Cubs/Browns. To me it says a lot about you as a person that you take delight in such things.
P.S: If you don't have a familial or geographic connection to Montreal/New York/ Boston... you lack the ability to claim fanhood when the team is good.

[TPiddy]

For those that keep thinking this is the same thing that's happened every year since the lockout, think again. This push has been sustained since January 1. The push has also featured major personnel changes like Aulie, Reimer, Boyce, Kadri, Lupul and the subtractions of Beauchemin, Kaberle and Versteeg. That is what makes this time different. As for next year, I'd like to see perhaps 2-3 changes to this lineup... bring in a top forward, whether that's a center or a winger, and bring in a second pair defenseman. Gunnarsson / Komisarek as a 5/6 would be fantastic... a third line of Armstrong / Bozak / MacArthur would also be solid...

[Qun]

Your posts is like the Leafs game recently...when you think you've witnessed their best game of the season so far only to find out you are left speechless again after the next win. Just love your them both! Keep coming!

VM Replies: Thank you, Qun.

[Jon]

Vinay, thankyou for your response. I mean what erk's me the most is that EVERY hockey city has fans of other teams, its just that the TO media love to broadcast it ?? Anyway, moving on, I just wanted to make a comment on Phaneuf. People forget how young this guy is ! He is still learning to be a great captain. He is starting to return to the elite player we all know he can be. The injury slowed his progress but i really feel that once beauch and kabby left that the team became his to LEAD. He is young and still learning how to lead this team...he will get there !

VM Replies: Did you hear Phaneuf on 590 the other day? When asked about his resurgence, he hinted at something others here have suspected: His injury was more serious than any of us thought at the time.
But, yes, he is young. The entire team is young. The light is bright at the end of this tunnel.

[Long Time Listener]

another great post VM. Nailbiting experience last night. I think my cat is looking forward to the end of the season. When Grabbo scored I screamed so loud that I woke her up and she gave me a dirty look. She is a Sabres fan though so I forgave her (I always thought she would choose the obvious Florida Panthers but the hockey world is crazy). Joe Bowen could call an iceberg race and we would all be on the edge of our seats. As you have stated previously, rollercoaster season, has been a fun ride. Its not over yet.
Go Leafs!

VM Replies: Welcome back, Long Time Listener.
I was dizzy a month ago. Can't imagine what the next week will bring.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Yes VM, Mark Hebscher sounds about right. Its been about 15-16 years, so you could understand how "Mark Hebscher" might sound like "Mark Kepchur" to a 10 year old. On that note, I still remember my grade 5 teacher (bruins fan) having a laugh when I initially thought Joe Bowen's name was actually "Joe Blowin'". Thank God for HD radio, eh?!?!?

[A Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

Dammit! All right. Fine. If those are the rules, then those are the rules. I have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow night. I'm serious. Of course, if this works and the Leafs continue to win, you realize that the logical conclusion is that I will miss them hoisting the Cup. That's a helluva sacrifice. I will definitely think twice before broadcasting any more of my superstitions...

[Rooney]

VM, another great post, even though baseball is starting this week, you've got your home run swing in hear gear already! I am glad you made the comment about the douchebag. I do not have a problem with the Star running a story about how the Haters came out after the Red Wings loss because that was a fact. We saw on this Blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, my freakin' email. It was a fact, so be it. Some balance and representation from the other side of the story would have been nice, but whatever. The plane crash statement, on the other hand, was inappropriate and unacceptable. To have regulars like Bill trying to justify it to WP was idiotic. See what karma gets you, go Wolves.

Oh well, the sun is still shining on Toronto. I am getting ready for tomorrow when the Leafs will put the laughter in Bruins-slaughter and blow them out. NEVER SAY NEVER, GO LEAFS GO!!!

[Rooney]

hear gear? wow, hope nobody was listening...should have been "high gear"...go leafs go...

[We BeLeaf]

Greetings and salutations to Leafs Nation!

After watching last night's victory, a certain portion of a well known phrase came to mind, but I could not remember the whole thing. With the assistance og Google I have found it and I thought I might post this as significance of the Leafs' need to never give up. Enjoy.....

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
.
.
.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
.
.
.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
.
.
.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
.
.
.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Go Leafs Go!!!

[Chad]

all this talk about improved play from Kadri, and Phaneuff, and the goaltending heroics of Reimer......one person who has quietly flown under the radar but has significantly improved his game over the course of this season is Kessel.
the second he arrived he was thrown under the spotlight because of the price we paid to get him. all the critique's about being a one-dimensional player; a floater; selfish attitude; poison in the locker room; the list goes on. yet if you were to watch his play recently there are signs that his full game is starting to develop. he may not be scoring tons of goals, but his defensive game has taken big strides forward. back checking a lot more; paying more attention to defensemen that pinch and knowing when to cover for them; starting to use his body a bit more along the boards. and all of a sudden he's become this really good playmaker. did you see some of the scoring chances he created last night for Bozak and Lupul? not to mention the soft flip pass to Garbo for the game winner.
the goals will come for Kessel. that's his natural ability. and hopefully one day he can become the 40 goal scorer that some people like me see in him. but the other things that he needs to do in order to become a more complete player are starting to come around. i'm not saying he's perfect. but he has definitely improved, and the development is there. and for a guy who's only 23 years old, let's hope there is lots more to come.
GLG!!!

[Robert]

Commander Menon: You have steered us carefully through the shoals. I see open water ahead, the voyage has just begun. Reading the comments, it is obviously a world cruise! With visits to many foreign ports
The way this thing is going, regardless of how long these boys skate this year, the good ship Maple Leaf is well equiped for a great voyage into the future.
I believe Mr. Burke probably needs an executive officer, a bosn or two and one or two first mates. I realize we are over extending our crew, but, you have to rely on injuries, like jumping up against the glass when we score in the finals.
VM, bring your compass. We are on the way.

[johnnyk]

Sorry, still not sold on Kadri. So he has scored twice and made half a dozen plays.
Maybe he's better than he was on his first tour but defenders will notice and play him harder.

[Boo Who?]

Love it. Comparing Kadri 1.0 to a toddler lost at the mall could not be more apt! He has now evolved into that punk teenager at the mall that puts his feet up on everything and skateboards in the parking lot. Long may his evolution continue.

Barring some unforeseen circumstance that alters their chemistry dramatically, I do not see how this team would be able to just 'spontaneously' regress next year. Given the way things have gone this season, and certain issues *coughcoachcough* they've had to contend with, they can't possibly shake this experience off and forget it all. They're like a band of orphans squatting in some bombed-out building, huddling together for warmth and sustenance. There's a bond that's formed there, and unless someone starts acting all crazy and steals all the twine and burlap they use to make shoes, it should only grow stronger.

As for Reimer, he dives when the Lord tells him to dive, to punish the wicked for their transgressions. Whats-his-nuts should have stayed clear of him in the first place, I'm glad he got sent to the sin bin.
I rebuke thee Buffalo! We are strong in the Leafs and the power of their might!!

[Melissa]

Ignorance is bliss Vinay so I won't share what transpired on the radio. What's done is done. (Altho I was irked myself of what happened and what I read). Hey, if you decide to rule the universe and start a paper we'll follow! Just that I'll be paying your salary in pennies. On the bright side, it's a beautiful sunny day and the Leafs beat Miller last night. Glorious! Let's soak this in.
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I'm a religious gal myself and I've been doing my little prayers for the leafs to win and Reims health. But I think I should shift my focus to the PP cause it needs an act of God to help them. Oie vay!
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I have a confession. Saturday's loss is partly my fault. I wasn't in my regular seat. I was in *gasp, wait for it* Montreal for a bachelorette. The restaurant I was in which was showing the Habs game was NOT a happy place. I tried to stay undercover of my identity for my own safety. Thankfully, yesterday I was back with my regular routine and in the arms of Leafs Nation. Bring on the Bruins!

[Alecia]

Vinay, do we have new recipes for next week? How are we going to survive the upcoming week? Do you who is left to play? Do you realize there are only TWO home games left? When are my season tickets coming in the mail? I already promised Boo a game. What's going to happen to the blog? What are we all going to do? Is TimB still the driver? Where are the vodka infused lemon squares!?

I'm freaking out man!

VM Replies: Pull yourself together, woman!
You can't just blindside me with nine questions when I'm on a non-Leafs deadline and also freaking out!
I will think about all of this and respond with answers. But until we start raising money around here, I have no way to purchase your season tickets just yet.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Alright then. I totally and completely forgive them for the first half of the year. I am 100% on board that this team is different then the last 25 editions. I watch their interviews and see the way they play and they have convinced me. The difference I see in this team compared to the others, except the Pat Burns years maybe, is that, as with the Pat Burns teams, they really believe in themselves and they believe they have something special going on. There is no one on the team that looks for anything special. It feels like a true team. and when that happens the sum becomes exponentially bigger than it parts.
Now let's see if they can go on a 6 game winning streak. If not at least the effort will be there. Of that I have no doubt. If so, please can we just get a little help from some of the other teams for a bit good fortune to go our way. It would be nice for a change n'est ce pas.

What was that I read, until we are eliminated we are cup favourites. I like it.

[Robert]

Boo Who? Magnificent. I, and I suspect many others believe this band of young colts are doing this on their own. 'orphans squatting in some bombed out buildiing' exactly, no parental guidance - just finding their way. If they ever get someone with a street map (coach) they will travel far.

Can anyone tell me why Colborne and Kadri should be fighting for a position next season. What neanderthal thinking is that? If they are both good enough, play them both. Probably a rumour started by the Tronna press!

And the good ship Maple Leaf sails onward to the tea party.

[Alecia]

"a non-Leafs deadline "

huh??

VM Replies: My own grim reality.

[Geoff Read]

Dylan Thomas is being quoted! Great poem. I read it at my grandmother's funeral in honour of her long, hard-fought battle with cancer. She was a formidable British working-class immigrant who didn't give a damn about hockey, but I'm pretty sure she could've bested Chris Chelios himself in the corner.

[Boo Who?]

*shakes Alecia*
Stop it!!!
You and I are on for more than one game honey-child. We need to be yinning and yanging all over that ACC next season, you always seem to pick the fun games to go to!

To answer some of your questions:
1. We eat what is put before us. There is a Lenten fast approaching, so we must practice restraint and shun indulgence.
2. We just will.
3. We have Boston, Ottawa, Washington, New Jersey and Montreal coming up.
4. You're going to the Habs game yes? Work that mojo woman.
5. I had him send them 'In Care of Boo Who?' and will keep them safe for you until we can meet.
6. All will be revealed in time.
7. Ummm. Dunno.
8. Yes he is. Though he may have lost the keys after these last few games.
9. We don't need them right now. Only blue skies ahead.

And finally, just a note to all the heart patients we have here: Boo does not like it when her menfolk take ill, it weighs heavily on her soul. Be good to yourselves, and stay healthy!

[We BeLeaf]

Vinay, you are the second person I've heard from in the media to state that Reimer does not swear. Really? C'mon guy! Not even a "darn", or "you suck ref"? I thought swearing was a prerequisite to play hockey, or sports in general, as I know I did. Oh well, more power to him. Do you think he issues King James' bibles in the dressing room?

How about we modify a hip phrase....

What would Reimer do?

VM Replies: I'm leaving the modifications to you.

[pinot grigio]

I always wanted to know what it would be like to live in that place you get to through the looking glass, i.e. meta-reality. Now I know because we are there and, by the way, we like it. One day we'll have to get back, but that day can wait.
When that day comes, however, I hope Vinay will take us there and guide us gently.
I'll do what I can to make that day a far-off experience; I'll have more Greek food on Thursday. I hope I'll get to hate souvlaki if that means we keep celebrating wins.
Yes, this year the winning streak at the end of the year is different, partly because of the length, some 40 games rather than 12 or 15, and partly because we see a group of young guys fighting like mad and willing to spill their last drop of blood for the cause and, in the process, learning to win. In past years, it usually was a group of 'middle aged' players, supplemented with some grizzled veterans obtained at the trade deadline, reaching for a final spasm of their wilting hockey skills, dashing for the finish line and then limping across it.

[Geoff Read]

Alecia: Vinay is operating on a deadline for his upcoming blog for the Montreal Gazette, "A Closet Habs' Fan Blogs," which will begin April 8th.

VM Replies: You are incorrigible.

[Rooney]

"As for Reimer, he dives when the Lord tells him to dive, to punish the wicked for their transgressions. Whats-his-nuts should have stayed clear of him in the first place, I'm glad he got sent to the sin bin.
I rebuke thee Buffalo! We are strong in the Leafs and the power of their might!!"

Boo gets my vote for Comment of the Day, AWESOME.

[Geoff Read]

I heard word that Vinay's first entry on his new blog will be entitled, "Worshiping at the Altar of PK Subban: A Sinner Repents."

[Rooney]

More like: "How could the Habs miss the playoffs after being in 6th place with 5 games to go?"

[TimB]

Thanks for your thoughts,Boo.We should be OK but,my stress test could be smack in the middle of our first round series with Philly.Is that a bunch of die hards in my yard tricking out the van?

[ValleyRed]

@ Geoff: I reckoned most Habs fans were already out of the closet, if ya catch my drift. Ha ha, just jokes, don't call the police or stage a big rally about it.

[Geoff Read]

Rooney: I like your style.

[Pete]

Since half the teams in the league use white towels, when we ever do make the playoffs why not go with blue towels? Or maybe just go back to the flags, at least we'd stand out,.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

aiy-ay yay!!! What am I missing here?!?! I popped over yesterday and read the story that wasted an entire 5 minutes of my life with Leaf bashing and then I saw the comment VM made earlier about spending the last hour "trying to put out fires over a story in which I had absolutely no involvement." So what did I miss? Did VM, on behalf of Leaf fans everywhere and everything that is good and pleasant in this world go to bat and officially rebuke [some other columnist at the Star] (the efforts yesterday do not deserve mention of a name)?!??!

Geoff, the description of your grandmother implies that you have roots in "Upper Canada" (I guess your name does too), so what with this allegiance to that team from "Lower Canada"?!?!

[Ken Baumgartner]

Hey Vinay you can post this if you want. it is totally unrelated but it is the most flexible person I ever saw. Check it out, it is crazy.
">http://www.flixxy.com/athletic-girl-lunga-musical-africa.htm>

[Geoff Read]

Sarko:

The connection to the Habs stems from the fact that the Peterborough Petes were once a Montreal farm team, and so my parents grew up cheering for guys who went on to play for the Canadiens. I think also that it used to be that eastern Ontario could get Montreal broadcasts on the radio but not Toronto ones (or something like that).

[Geoff Read]

@Valley Red

Don't mistake Habs' fans flamboyant embrace of our team with, um, other things.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, as Seinfeld would say.

[Boo Who?]

@TimB - make sure your gorgeous gams are freshly shorn and that you wear your little cheerleading skirt to the test. I've seen it work for other people, you're sure to pass!

Willy-Nilly was asked about his future with the team.
We can all breathe a deep sigh of relief, because he assures us he "has a contract for next season".

Lord, I lift my hands to thee...
Jesus, take the wheel...
What would a group of people with a van and some duct tape do?

[Robert]

Can anyone explain the look on Keith Acton's face in the picture. Is it suspense?
Boredom? Dissing the Coach? Does he wish he was in Vegas?

[Robert]

Geoff: You are crossing the line when you take shots at OUR Vinnie. Mind your freakin' manners, or I'm coming down to Upper Canada and giving you a cuff upside the ear!

[Nick Verbaeys]

Boy oh boy,
What a crazy game.
I just love the energy they bring, even if everybody thought the hunt was over.
VM, your blog is great again and on the subject of how I watch... Well I'm subscribed on ESPN American, which means I can watch Hockey Night in Canada and catch the Leafs game (love Don Cherry by the way). Sometimes they show a midweek game, but if they don't I watch a "game in six" when I wake up... Just opening the Leafs website is nerve wracking. Sometimes I just listen to the game on the radio....

Greetz from Belgium

Nick

[Boo Who?]

Robert - I believe Keith is saying "Why can't we ever do anything right?"
Either that, or he's getting frustrated because he thinks using sign language to help with clues is totally within in the rules of Charades, and don't you try to tell him otherwise.

[Sensi-Bill]

I'm once again confused by another contradiction, another Leaf-fan conundrum.
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How is Joe Bowen's obviously blatant and bombastic cheerleading for the Leafs something to praise and celebrate while any sign of "homerism" by any announcers for any other team is somehow something to denigrate and despise as a lack of professionalism?
.
Wait. Forget that.
.
I know. In Leaf Nation double standards are not just somehow logical but seemingly down right mandatory.
.
How silly of me to question such hypocrisy. I must be, as mentioned elsewhere, an idiot for trying to deal in reality-based terms of fairness and sportsmanship.
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Well, despite this slip, I AM trying to learn to keep my lips sealed and frozen in a faux smile as I shake my head in mild dismay.

[Wandering Penguin]

@10:21 - well, I'd take Recchi, of course. But it's still not who I envision.

[Wandering Penguin]

@ Rooney @ 12:31 - wow. Glad I skipped out and missed the "justification". Unless you mean the half-hearted pseudo-analogy I DID comment on. Meh. Either way, glad the new thread went up. That was some serious bad mojo on the previous one. And look what happened after the new commenting thread began! Can't be a coincidence...

[Wandering Penguin]

@Chad: I would DEARLY love Kessel to prove you right. As a Leaf fan, nothing would make me happier than to be 100% wrong about that trade. But first he has to stop zipping PAST the net on his rushes with or without the puck and he simply cannot continue to play NHL hockey as if it's a Friday afternoon game of shinny with the boys. There was one closeup shot last night in either the first or third period (it was in the zone to our left) that says it all for me: Kessel came flying in to make a play on a Buffalo D but instead of smashing into him while the Sabre made his pass out of danger, Kessel ground to a halt so suddenly he sprayed him with snow. That has to stop. If that had been MacArthur, say, that Sabre would have been peeling his uni off the glass.

It's one thing not to be "rugged". It's another thing entirely to play "non-contact" and the more he does that, the less of a forechecking threat he becomes.

[Boo Who?]

I'm having a nice quiet lunch at my desk.

Out of sheer boredom, I looked up Ron Wilson's astrological chart.
Some snippets I thought I'd share:

"You are quite easy-going and perhaps, as a result, somewhat undecided about things. Your ambitions never leave the realm of the mind or become translated into action."

"Your pastimes are analysis, exercising critical faculties and mental dissection. You are very likely to criticize others, but enver with malicious intent."

"You are plagued by perennial coubt...you should open yourself to experience, think less, and try to surrender control. Your habit of analysis is essentially a defense."

"In dealing with others within your work environment, you may obtain an increase in income. Your attitude to work is that it is a pleasurable thing to do. You are not a hard-working individual; on the contrary, there is something of laziness in you. Destiny may put you into positions where you will work under the direction of extremely kind and attractive superiors. A love relationship could start due to the interaction."

"Whatever your temperamental qualities may be, destiny will place you in situations where you will have dealings with the public."

"Your professional honor affects your feelings very much and you are well satisfied when things go well. Destiny may have to teach you to tell the difference between fact and fantasy more clearly.

Certain complexes nest in your subconscious and show up in your mind as hypersensitivity, wanting to be alone and to do things by yourself so no one will know how you feel. You need a bit of humour and self-confidence."

[Boo Who?]

Excuse any typos! Hard to type and wolf down food at the same time.

[Wandering Penguin]

I'm thinking of getting a new T-shirt: "Leaf Nation: home of the only double standards in all of fandom".

On the back would be a pot pointing at a kettle and laughing.

[Sensi-Bill]

[ Sorry, this isn't part of the well-earned celebration, but it IS a response to something posted, a question raised, in this thread. ]
.
"Why write a story about people who are that bitter and hateful and have no impact on the sports world as a whole"
.
Perhaps because that is another side of the Leafs-Toronto story? Because news isn't and should never be reported --- or censored --- to please just one segment of society?
.
And I hardly think the reaction of Leaf Nation qualifies as "no impact."
.
Because Leaf Nation thinks its opinions should rule over any and every thing else? That Leaf Nation's blatant biases should determine what is acceptable or not?
.
Perhaps Leaf Nation needs an example to remind them that not everyone, even in Toronto, is, or needs to be, a member of Leafs Nation?
.
Perhaps that a Toronto newspaper, or even just its Sports section, is not written just for Leaf fans?
.
Perhaps Leaf Nation should just get over itself?
.
And please don't respond by focussing on that one quote, the infamous plane crash line. That is a separate issue to the above.
.
Not that I expect much response on the actual issues raised above. Experience suggests if facts can't be negated, or focus spun and twisted to distract from issues raised, the post is ignored, even if that rules out another opportunity for name calling.
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Call me what you want --- The Devil, The Devil's Advocate, The Enemy, An Idiot, An Over-sensitive Hens Fan or whatever --- I'm willing to take the abuse for offering a second opinion without the almost mandatory Leaf Nation bias so many seem to insist on here.
.
And in this case, my opinion IS based on years of experience and expertise as a newsman.
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Now I have to go recharge batteries --- my iPad's via a plug in and my own via a nap. (chuckle)

[Wandering Penguin]

Wow, Boo. That was simply stunning. I particularly like the way it nailed the "bromance" between Wilson and Burke. Hmm. Maybe "nailed" isn't such a good word to use there.

[Billy]

Sensi-Bill = Cox (Closet Leaf fan who finds comfort in the bad stuff)

BTW- Anyone notice the Cox article on Kadri today? Doesn't look like it. Only 5 comments. BAHAHAHHAHA.

[Wandering Penguin]

Thank God Huff'n'Puff has developed such a distinctive style, so I can just skip on to the next comment without having to worry I've missed anything interesting, relevant or noteworthy.

To paraphrase Sloan ("Coax Me") - "It's not the team I hate, it's their fans...."

[TimB]

Bill,Bill,Bill.Of course I will have to consult with Robert,Hoof and the rest of the Board of Bluenosers,but you may be dangerously close to having our kind invitation to you rescinded.

[Chad]

@ Wandering Penguin: agreed. as i said in a general comment that he's not perfect, this was to include those things you just mentioned. sorry to not be more specific.
but i echo your comments that his forecheck game is terrible. unfortunately he doesn't have the size nor the ambition to "get dirty". i don't think you'll ever see him intentionally smash into people so hard that they'll have to peel their uni's off the glass. but i do hope that he eventually grows a bigger set of balls which will push him to grinding it out a lot more down low. he's showing flashes of this, but i find it only to be against the smaller teams. you won't see him in the corners vs. teams like Philly or Boston. at least not this year.

[Boo Who?]

@ Bill - you know I like and respect you. But please just let it go.

You're absolutely entitled to your opinions, but by making every single post a critique of the fans of this team, you must know that you're inviting conflict. People are going to take it personally when you take pains to call them out, and rightly so.
I think we're all a little weary of being told how much we suck. We know.

Let's stick to dissecting the team, the game, etc. and not each other please.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Bill: Joe Bowen is legit because although he obviously favors the Leafs, his commentary is objective in that he can praise opponents for jobs well done and doesn't hesitate to call out the Leafs when they deserve a penalty or make a bad play. Other "homer" announcers can do none of the above; they seem to defend their team mercilessly even when penalties are well-deserved and their all-around commentary suffers because they can't call the game objectively.

[Wandering Penguin]

Congrats to Matt Frattin on being a Hobey Baker Award finalist this year! That's terrific news.

[hoofheartz]

@Billy, thats because Cox is a tool. Whether he's a closet Leaf fan or not, I wager that he'd be the 1st one to say "I told you so" when the Leafs make the playoffs.

[Wandering Penguin]

@Chad - I suppose you are right. I don't want him throwing his weight around so much he gets hurt all the time - that's counter productive. And he has appeared to care more in his zone this second half, but that might be due to Burke finally stepping in.

At this point, I would honestly settle for him coming to a stop at the edge of the crease, looking for rebounds. That alone would raise his goal-scoring totals by 50%. If he's not going to ever be a basher, he must at the very least score 40-50 pretty regularly to justify the steep price we paid for him. No, it's not his fault but those are the cards as they have been dealt. Time for him to elevate. Next season is a huge one in his progress, made all the tougher by having a coach who clearly never talks to him.

[TimB]

@Wandering Penguin. Matt got a lot of votes.Just the kind of players we want.

[Wandering Penguin]

@TimB - I'm actually even more impressed at how he had the strength to turn his life around after being suspended by his own team last season. Looking forward to seeing him around these parts next year on one team or the other.

[A Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

Okay, so in addition to the daily crap we out-of-town Leaf fans have to endure all season, now I'm getting this one Canucklehead at work who insists I have to have an alternate "favourite" team to cheer for in the playoffs. Not only that, but that it's my patriotic duty to cheer for the Canadian teams no matter what. I told him to stuff it - once my team's out I'm just in it for the love of the game itself - I couldn't care less who wins just so long as they deserve it and it's entertaining. And if it's the Habs or the Sens versus anyone else, I'm pulling for anyone else. Am I alone here?

[maxwelledison]

Leafs Fans:

Sabres Ryan Miller out with upper-body injury.

So much for this year.

[nugentmania]

Wow. Did I get censored because of my fantasy plane crash passenger list comment?

VM Replies: Yes, sir.

[Wandering Penguin]

@Lotus - you are not alone by a long shot. I can't stand people who insist that you root for a "Canadian" team if yours is out and somehow by NOT doing so you are unpatriotic. Ask around Vancouver and see how many Canuckleheads would EVER root for the Leafs even if they were up against invaders from Mars for the Cup?

Personally, I feel that if you are capable of shelving long-standing and deeply-rooted distastes for some teams easily enough that you can actually root for them to win a Cup before your own team does, well...perhaps you aren't the rabid fan you might think you are. Just in my own case, I could root for (and have done so) the Flames and maybe even the Oilers, but have actively cheered against the Canucks, Habs and Sens the past few years. I was THRILLED when the Hawks kicked Vancouver out last year. I hated the Caps and Pens for not managing to do the same to the Habs. Hell, I even became a PHILLY "Phan" for a week in their series against the Habs.

You back whatever horse you like to watch playing the game. That's the way it should be. I rooted for the Pens two years ago and the Hawks all through last year simply because their style of hockey is so thrilling. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do this year. It would likely have been the Kings, but they're coming apart at the seams.

[Robert]

ALDIL - what the hell is a Canadian team? I suspect the ones who play out of Canada - most of the teams are essentially Canadian, not totally, but a high percentage of our boys play out of the country.
I like to watch good hockey, if it ain't my Leafs, then whomever entertains me with good hockey.
Simple as that.
Bye the bye, we were talking about Kessel a while back. I saw the boy at the world's a couple of years back. He didn't look to be 6 foot to me, nor anywhere near 200 pounds.
Could be the inflated stats they use in the programs. Or my myopia?

[Wandering Penguin]

Let me quickly correct an obvious omission in my last post: I meant I'm not sure who to root for in the WEST.

Clearly I'll be rooting for the Leafs in the east. Duh.

[Wandering Penguin]

"nugentmania"? Oh, boy. Wing troll alert.

[Matt Taylor]

@Bill: I am aware that there are people in Toronto that don't cheer for the Leafs, and I'm perfectly fine with that. What I take issue with is a story about the people who instead of just cheering for their team, which I'd think most people do, and instead choose to cheer against the Leafs. Essentially, cheer for your team and as the old phrase goes "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"... much less publish it in a newspaper story

[Boo Who?]

@ Leafs Fan in Lotusland - I cheer for the Canucks as an 'alternate' because I like them, not because they're Canadian. And I will never ever be persuaded to cheer for the Habs, neva eva eva.
Make up your own rules - it is the Leafs fan way. (Hee.)

@maxwelledison - think that's due to shouldering Phaneuf's cannonball of a shot last night? I'm guessing it is. I bet when he golfs, Phaneuf is just like Happy Gilmore.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Wandering Penguin: I think I'm starting to have man-crush on you! This is because the more of your posts I read, the more I realize you're like my clone! Case in point (in regards to your last post): I too occasionally cheer for Calgary and Edmonton (how can anyone hate on those poor prarie teams!?!?!), but almost always against (in order of ascending contempt): canucks, sens, and habs. The pens are my second favorite team, therefore, I was pretty upset when they lost to the habs last year. Lastly, I too became a Philly fan for a week while they made quick work of the bobbletants!