Game 78: Brilliant and glorious, the finest moment so far
When we were kids, every summer included at least one stateside road trip.
Sometimes it was Buffalo or New York City. But usually, the destination was Harrisburg or Akron, the city where I was born.
Sometimes I'd fall asleep in the back of our beat-up station wagon. And when I came to an hour or so later, the vista flashing past my window felt different.
We were on the same highway. But you could feel the destination rumbling closer. The view had changed.
There have been many dazzling moments in this second half.
A 9-3 demolition of Atlanta on January 7. Back-to-back wins in Los Angeles and San Jose the following week. Four wins in the first five games of February. Clutch victories throughout March, as this improbable, electrifying race continued.
But last night was truly special.
It all started at 7:06 of the first with a highly symbolic goal. Luke Schenn, this team's future, fired a shot that deflected off a hapless Tomas Kaberle, this team's past.
The future had officially surpassed the past...
To appreciate the future, all you really need to do is watch Nazem Kadri's shootout winner. In those few brilliant seconds, this team rumbled closer to wherever we are all going.
Kadri crossed the line, deployed a phantom carry, twisted his body, tapped his stick, bobbed his head, lifted his right leg for no apparent reason and then went to the backhand, deking so masterfully it's a small miracle he didn't skate away wearing Tim Thomas' moustache.
Boston was trying to clinch the Northeast Division. The Leafs were just trying to stay alive. But when Kadri scored, the gap in the present standings seemed meaningless.
At that second, it was all about the future.
Put it this way: If I knew nothing about either team and was asked, "Which one would you like to watch again?" the answer would have been, "The guys in white."
The guys who just came from behind to win. Not the guys in black and yellow, clustered on their bench, trying to make sense of what just went wrong.
Zdena Chara may be a walking solar eclipse. He may need to go in and out of the dressing room all night so engineers can recalibrate his center of gravity. But I think I'd rather watch the much smaller Timmy Brent dive like a possessed madman, blocking Chara blasts with a gritty resolve that can't be statistically quantified.
Is Thomas the best goalie in the league? That's nice. But all things considered, I think I'd like to watch more of this James Reimer kid, the one who stopped 35 of 38 shots in regulation and overtime, all three in the shootout and who has now beaten Thomas in three straight games.
Milan Lucic is a hell of a hockey player, no question. But when Jay Rosehill responded to Lucic's thuggish antics by dropping the gloves and giving his team an emotional lift with a long, spirited bout, I don't know, there was just something reassuring about his deadpan expression in the penalty box: "You mess with us and I'll mess with you, Milan. End of story."
You know what else the future includes? It includes a never-say-die attitude. In fact, that may be the biggest difference between the first half and this 2011 watershed.
Boston took over in the second period, scoring three times in 6 minutes and 22 seconds. They outshot the Leafs 18-7. They were basking in the rapture of their demented fans. They had a lead going into the third, which over the previous 76 games has translated into 28 wins and 1 regulation loss.
No matter.
Shift by shift, minute by minute, puck battle by puck battle, the Leafs regained control. They telegraphed no inferiority. They betrayed no surrender. They took the fight to Boston. They turned on the afterburners in the third and created some of the most exciting hockey we've witnessed this season.
And when another sprinkling of pixie dust had settled, when this rousing 4-3 win was in the books, it glittered with all the small things big teams learn to do when they are still young and rebuilding, when they are still on the road to greatness.
The Leafs outhit Boston 23-16. They blocked more shots (23-16) and won more faceoffs (36-29). Up against one of this season's Cup contenders, the Leafs matched the Bruins in confidence, swagger and determination.
Before the shootout started, TD Garden crackled with "Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses. At some point, as this team rumbles toward the destination, we may look back and think of that song as prophetic.
Are you ready for Saturday? You should be. The view is about to change again.
MAIN PHOTO: REUTERS
In the same style as the reported interview, Wilson could have said:
"Obviously our power play stinks. it wouldn't matter who was the coach. It just shows that bad luck has as much to do with it as my coaching skills. Don't blame me you dumb-asses." and
"Of course the team performs much better, don't give those players any credit, they are finally starting to listen to me and now it's time you do too"
Posted by: pinot grigio | 04/02/2011 at 02:00 PM
I was going to note that tonight the Leafs are likely to face nine out of the 10 college grads the Senators currently have on their roster.
.
The 10 I had in mind are:
............Ryan Shannon, Boson College
............Colin Greening, Cornell
............Erik Condra, Notre Dame
.............Bobby Butler, New Hampshire
............Curtis McElhinney*, Colorado
............Jesse Winchester, Colgate
............David Hale, North Dakota
.............Brian Lee, North Dakota
.............Patrick Wiercioch, University of Denver
..............Stephane Da Costa, Merrimack
.
I was looking at nine out of 10 because I assume Craig Anderson will be starting in goal ahead of backup Curtis McElhinney.
.
However, I forgot about Colin Greening being an emergency call up. And with Da Costa now filling that hole, Greening HAD to be sent back down to our AHL team in Binghampton, New York.
.
It's just as well. Greening was starting to score too many goals of late --- two Thursday night with a close chance almost earning him a hat trick. He was beginning to become a threat to our finishing low enough for a high draft pick. (g)
.
So it will be eight college grads playing for the Sens tonight, with, I presume, the ninth, McElhinney, sitting on the bench to back up Anderson in nets.
.
By the way, I also learned Thursday night that Anderson will NOT be playing for Team U.S.A. in the upcoming World Championships as he has been away from home since being acquired by the Sens and his wife is expecting. Since I'm the family type, it makes sense to me.
.
Anyway, good luck to both sides tonight. May the best rebuilding team win. And if we don't, we have the consolation prize of not further endangering our place in the draft lottery. *smile*
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 04/02/2011 at 02:00 PM
Well, coaching the kids will sure bring the game down to its component parts. That's a really good thing this time of year in particular. I don't know what I'd do if I ever had to give it up. I'm willing to offer some of that goodwill and motivational tactics to Wrong Wilson, free of charge. He sure could use the help...
In the spirit of the old SNL sketch: "Leafs 42, Hens -11 with Reimer scoring 5 goals and Mike Ditka with a Gordie Howe hat trick." My goodness it would be nice to wake up tomorrow 3 points back again. What a week that would set up!
I wish I could be at the Party on the Coast this evening. Hoist a few for us land-locked souls, would you please, guys and gals?
GO LEAFS GO!!! (Side note to Vinay: it's not you, it's me. Apparently. I guess. Something of a lightning rod, it seems. Anyhow, please come back! The ship is rudderless if you don't and although I am pretty sure you were kidding, I would feel awful if you truly stayed away on my account.)
VM Replies: I was just kidding... or was I?
Posted by: Wandering ASS Penguin | 04/02/2011 at 03:20 PM
It seems as if evil VM is out and about today.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 04/02/2011 at 03:50 PM
GAME DAY: Buckle up, screw practicality, statistics and odds. The ride is about to begin. All aboard. GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! LOSE CANES LOSE!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! LOSE SENS LOSE!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! LOSE HABS LOSE!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! A$$ GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! LOSE SABRES LOSE!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!!
Posted by: Rooney | 04/02/2011 at 03:57 PM
Afternoon. And a good one to you!
Tension's building tonight.
Leafs overcome it 4-2.
Fat Lady on hold, once again.
We'll need her next Saturday night.
New Blue dress. She'll be ready.
BTW: Sent incoming to you. With thanks!
Posted by: maxwelledison | 04/02/2011 at 04:09 PM
Anyone have instructions on how to make a Glen Healy voodoo doll so that I can roast his chestnuts over an open fire everytime he opens his piehole with a negative comment about the Magnificent Bastards?
Posted by: hoofheartz | 04/02/2011 at 04:55 PM
@Wandering Penguin: No disrespect intended but there's no way the Reimer let's in 11 versus the Sens tonight. More realistic score: Leafs Win 44-2. Grabo nets nine for the triple-trick.
Posted by: moe green | 04/02/2011 at 04:57 PM
@hoof - I kind of feel we might need a healthy dose of "Evil VM" tonight. That would be okely dokely with me!
Posted by: Wandering ASS Penguin | 04/02/2011 at 04:57 PM
@moe - I think if you go back you'll see that I said MINUS 11 for the Sens. Sorry I didn't make that clearer. :D
Posted by: Wandering ASS Penguin | 04/02/2011 at 05:06 PM
Thats OK WAP, I don't think our leader has a mean/evil bone in his body and I kinda like that he's the voice of reason when I get pissy with some of the twerps on here.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 04/02/2011 at 05:09 PM
To make a Glenn Healy voodoo doll:
1) Take a stationary object such as a mailbox or smallish file cabinet.
2) Drill several puck-sized holes right through it - the finished project should resemble swiss cheese
3) Put a bad toupee on top of the object
Et voila: your doll is complete. Add chestnuts at will.
Posted by: Wandering ASS Penguin | 04/02/2011 at 05:09 PM
Don't you all understand? There is no VM. It's an artificial intelligence that has become self aware!
Posted by: TimB | 04/02/2011 at 05:11 PM
The merlot is open and breathing - the stars are aligned, Planet Earth back to normal orbit - the young colts are out of their stalls and ready to run.
I don't want to win by one goal tonight. I want to see these guys really go to town.
Lottsa passing, shooting, hitting and back checking. Got that Kessel?
I'd leave it in your hands Ron, but you'd probably throw it under the bus.
We shall overcome.
Posted by: Robert | 04/02/2011 at 05:19 PM
Are we going to having a new posting thread VM? I take my duties as TG77s co-DJ seriously, even if no one else likes my selections (afterall, this isn't about anyone else). I have to go out before the game and may not have a chance to post any music on the new thread (sorry, don't mean to pressure you).
VM Replies: Yes, sir! Definitely new thread. We'll go live at 6 EDT. Looking forward to your selections.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 04/02/2011 at 05:26 PM
Just spoke to a buddy (Sens fan) in Ottawa and he said Leaf Nation is out in full force in the Capital. He says he thinks Leafs fans will out number Sens fans tonight. But that can't be so. That would never happen here even if the Buds were awful and way out of the race. Just can't be possible as I was told all fan nations are same! Yeah right, NEVER SAY NEVER, GO LEAFS GO!!!
Posted by: Rooney | 04/02/2011 at 05:38 PM
@Robert - that very same bus would probably go through Healy's legs.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 04/02/2011 at 05:41 PM
Got my Barilko #5 sweater on and will soon be leaving to rendezvous with BooHoo at The Academic for a meeting of the Vancouver chapter of ALFB. Looking forward to it, but I'v got to admit to some butterflies about this game. Those Sens are unpredictable. If ever there was a game where our boys have to hit the ice running, it's tonight. Must erase the Sens' will to live within the first ten minutes. Go Leafs Go!!!
Posted by: Leaf Fan in Lotusland | 04/02/2011 at 05:53 PM
It's gettin' near game time and I'm getting that tingley feeling in my stomach! So exciting even though this game may mean nothing, come Monday! I'm all ready for the ride tonight, complete with my Borschevky sweater.
Posted by: gettingcozywithsarkozy | 04/02/2011 at 06:19 PM
@ hoofheartz yes, or through the hole in his head. Its amazing the number of ex goaltenders who have nothing to do, but, comment on other players.
Actually, I can ignore Healey, but, I find Greg Millen really irritates me and I mean really irritates me.
I think what troubles me most about these people is that they talk down to us as if we had no hockey knowledge and don't understand the game.
If, just once, they would discuss the game from the inside, it would be much more interesting to all of us. But, of course, there is no inside. It is what it is - we see it through the television camera, perhaps better than they do on the ice.
Let's get it together tonight, I would like us to win by several goals.
Regards
Posted by: Robert | 04/02/2011 at 06:30 PM
Nice game!
Posted by: Katrina B. Trower | 07/08/2012 at 07:06 AM