Game 80: The End

So that's it. This uneven, teeter-totter of a season has come to an unofficial end.

It happened at precisely 9:26 p.m.

Toronto and Washington were tied 2-2 at the ACC. But the fate of Leafs Nation was settled across the border when Buffalo scored into an empty net, giving them a 4-2 win over Tampa and, more important, giving Leaf fans a sixth consecutive year without postseason action.

To be honest, I'm surprised by how hard it hit me. Even this morning, as I wheeled out the recycling and fed the cats, the feeling of disappointment was wildly out of proportion with reality.

I mean, we knew "mathematical elimination" was all but inevitable. It may have been written in invisible ink but it was in our calendars some time ago. This race was always the longest of long shots. The odds never moved beyond grim. The surge was doomed, likely to run out of space and time.

No matter.

Over the last few weeks, as this young team clawed their way out from the crater they dug during a disastrous first half, it was hard not to admire their own fierce determination, their own faith in the impossible.

At 9:31, as regulation time ended and the cameras showed the bench, I actually winced. The silhouette of those slouched bodies – every face etched with crushed disappointment – showed just how much they believed.

They cared.

The pundits are now free to wag their fingers and conduct armchair postmortems on 2010-2011. The self-appointed experts can make sense of what happened, what should happen and what might possibly happen.

Me, I just want to say thank you to this young team.

Am I delusional? Crazy? A glutton for punishment? Has years of on-ice mediocrity dulled my critical faculties and lowered my expectations to zero? Am I suffering from a godforsaken mix of Stockholm Syndrome and Blind Faith?

Maybe.

All I really know is this: For the first time in a long time, I am bidding farewell to a season with no regrets and no residual anger. History may deem 2010-2011 to be another failure but it sure as hell doesn't feel that way at 8:53 a.m. this morning.

So, thank you.

Having watched every minute of every game this season, I believe my beloved team is finally, at long last, on the right track. The pieces are coming together. The future looks brighter than it has for quite some time.

In my opinion, my proudly biased opinion, this is not The End. It is The Beginning and I can't wait until the fall.

PHOTOS: STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Comments

[Pyramid Power]

Another great setup by Loop to Philthy and he just missed rifling his 32nd. So close. Loving the chemistry they have developed.

Comeback here? Enough time?

VM Replies: Come back or no come back, there's no need for me to recap this game, right? Right? Say right.

[Pyramid Power]

Grabner has two for the Isles. Man, do not envy the guys voting for the Calder this year.

I give the nod to 18-year-old Toronto native Jeff Skinner of the Hurricanes, but so many excellent rooks in the league this year.

[missideb]

Oshie just scored for St. Louis. You know, St. Louis is pretty deep at Centre. I wonder if they'd be looking to move someone?

[LaineyTML2012]

Vinay, you deserve a night off! No need for a recap. Just be sure to set up a thread for Saturday's game.

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

@pyramid: I may not envy Burkie's stress level either, but he's getting big dough to use that big brain of his. And btw, this ain't the first team he's built from scratch. Vancouver today is pretty much a Burke/Nonis production. He's the one, after all, who laid the cornerstone when he pulled off the Sedin magic trick at the draft.

[missideb]

Shorthanded 5 on 3 and........Bozak scores!!!!

[Sue]

Very impressive Bozie!!!!!

[LaineyTML2012]

a SUPER SHORTTY!!!! - 2 men short and BOZAK backhands it in.

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

Bozak! Holy crap.

[Pyramid Power]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

GREAT burst of speed by Bozak! Fantastic job on the 5 on 3 shortie.

One goal game. Let's find a way to tie this up.

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

Jeez, the only reason the Devils haven't scored on Giggitty is because they haven't hit the net. J.S. looks positively sloppy out there.

VM Replies: My jennies are quietly sobbing just watching his flop around back there. Never mind the blocker and trapper! Somebody bring that man a pair of crutches!

[missideb]

Giggy standing tall, playing like the veteran his is

GO LEAFS GO!

[missideb]

I think it's our turn for a PP

[Pyramid Power]

Less than three minutes to go. Time for a dirty Philthy special to tie this up.

GO LEAFS GO!

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

I don't need a recap either, VM. It's late, anyways. School night.

VM Replies: 4-2 Devils. Thanks you guys. I have another deadline in the morning so this wee break is appreciated.

[Pyramid Power]

Definitely right Vinay. NO need for a recap. You have performed Herculean work this year. Take a rest tonight. And tomorrow. And the next day.

Just open up a commenting thread with brief preview before the Canadiens game on Saturday I say.

VM Replies: Oh, for sure. That will be the last comment thread of the season.
I've got another piece coming before then as well, likely tomorrow early afternoon.

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

Well, they made it interesting anyway. See you all on Saturday night! Go Leafs Go!!

[LaineyTML2012]

Last one leaving turns out the porch light and puts out the garbage. Good night all, see you Saturday!

VM Replies: See you Saturday, Lainey.

[KD]

Great goaltending job by Phaneuf on the empty-net goal. "Oh, am I in your way? Sorry, let me move my stick out of your path."

No, I didn't expect him to stop it, but he looked like he didn't care.

[TimB]

So we can score while two men short,but not with a man advantage? And is it just me or does Mattias Tedenby look like that Home Alone kid?

VM Replies: Oh, man.

[missideb]

Nice chatting with you all. Off to walk the dog, goodnight.

VM Replies: G'night, missideb.

[Pyramid Power]

And we are done. Oh well.

I would say Burke started the job in 'Couver grabbing the Sedin's LFiL, but did not pull a full rebuild on that team. Remember Danny Cloutier? He had a lot of time to build that team, but Gillis has put his stamp on that club with the acquisition of Luongo, Ballard, Hamhuis and so many others. How long was he at the helm in Van anyway?

Kinda happy for Kovalchuk getting his 700th point tonight in his 700th game. Took so much abuse in the early part of the year, and last summer for that matter, glad he is having a strong finish as is his squad.

[Pyramid Power]

Will look forward to it Vinay.

Jays won 5-3 and are now 4-1 this year. Love it.

Good night all.

VM Replies: G'night, PP.

[Sue]

Night guys! Be back for the final blow out on Saturday!

VM Replies: Rest those pompoms, Sue.

[Sensi-Bill]

. . . Can I get a word count on aisle 12:19 . . .
.
(g)

VM Replies: Are you causing trouble, William? Just as I'm getting ready to lock up for the night?

[leafland'r]

Don't mean to crab ( almost), but I'm still bothered by the call. Joey Crabb gets a boarding penalty for a clean check. If the check was anywhere else other than near a misplaced post then it would have been okay. The arena managament should have received the penalty. Rant done. Now I'm over it (almost).

[wcdixon]

Thanks Vinay for being your smart entertaining funny self here on da blog and making the ride fun again. I agree this season and especially the second half felt different and I too saw a young group of players start to gel as a team and thus, feel okay about it all. I'll be in TO on Saturday...have stuff planned but thinking about heading down to the rink and get scalped to watch them live, even if the game doesn't matter in the standings. Thanks again.

VM Replies: Mr. Dixon! Thanks for joining. Now we'll have to continue our virtual friendship on Twitter and Facebook this summer.

[enJoy hockey]

Bill wanting a word count!!!! Kidding, right?

Missed most of the game again, but saw the Bozak beauty. He's a PK all by himself --and not just this game.

Fluffing up the pompoms for Saturday.

[Wandering Penguin]

Sorry I'm late. What did I miss?

Spent the night rehashing the Peewee season with my co-coach at a pub up the street, watching the Leafs and Jays on side-by-side screens. Of course, the moment I leave to come home (disgusted with the call on Phaneuf) Bozak scores a 3-on-5 super-shortanded goal and I miss it. Go figure.

I really like the way Wrong Wilson gave a big "screw you" to everyone else out there tonight by starting Reimer. There is absolutely NO REASON he should have gotten the start tonight - everyone and their uncle knew the Leafs would come out flat after 6 weeks or more of pressure-packed hockey with no let-up. Even the guy doing the highlights on Sportsnet after the game said, "so, in one of the most important games of the year (Florida) Wilson puts Giguere in net but on a back-to-back the night after they get eliminated from the playoffs and NOTHING is at stake, he plays Reimer? Ok.....?"

Wrong Wilson is a complete idiot. I can't stand him or his methods. They could win the Cup next year and I wouldn't change my mind, I dislike him that much. And for the person who posted here earlier how we should give him a chance because he's only had this particular lineup a short time, I will once again go on record as saying I didn't want him to come here in the first place because he was a terrible coach in San Jose and now that he's here I realize he's even worse than I suspected.

So that's out of my system. I see a thrashing of the Habs on Saturday and Reimer getting a standing O from the faithful in the last minute of play. That would be appropriate.

'Night, all.

[John Woods]

Like Becky way earlier in this thread, I am a longtime reader and first-time commenter. And I live in the USA, in Columbus, OH. I can hardly bring myself to go see the CBJ team, and the Leafs play there very rarely because of the silly east-west scheduling thing. At any rate, I couldn't let the season end without thanking you for this blog. Your insights, as well as those posted by others, have made for some great reading. I listen to the games (and watch when I can find a feed suggested here - thanks very much for those) online and my interest in the team was rekindled this year by the moves they are making and having this virtual community of fans you fostered all year long. I attended my first game in 1972 as a young kid and was hooked. Long ago I had a game-used stick from George Ferguson signed by the whole team (Sittler, MacDonald, Carlisle, Palmeteer, Salming, Boudreau, etc.). I lost it in a move at some point, sadly, but my point is that I am a long-time fan. I am a fan who has been disgusted and disappointed at times, hopeful at other times. I remember getting swept in 4 by the Habs. I attended one of those games. I remember Gilmour willing the team to some higher-than-expected level of success despite looking like he couldn't even be 150 pounds. Yes, it's been a long time and I wasn't quite around yet to witness their last cup. And yes, the team still needs some pieces. But the team we have started to see doesn't fold when they surrender a cheap goal. Heck, they don't even fold when a sports statistics website gives them a less than 1% chance of making the playoffs with 7 games to go. And they are so young. There are no guarantees. There never are. Solid teams that are supposed to contend flame out all the time, exiting the playoffs inexplicably early, so there are certainly no guarantees for next year with this Leaf team that shows promise but still needs a couple of things added. But I will be there for the ride. It's entertaining hockey they are producing now, and as I said before, I have found a community of people who like studying this team and talking about them, as well as a great writer in you, VInay. Thanks again.

VM Replies: Ohio! My home state! Thanks for your kind words, John.
I agree wholeheartedly with your analysis. In the first half, when I was reluctantly forced to write some nasty things game after game, it really seemed like they either did not care or were so lost in a dysfunctional abyss, they didn't even know how to care.
Some of those games were the worst I've ever seen.
But in this second half, there was intensity and focus and drive. They took an active interest in the game for 60 minutes instead of 40 or even 15 minutes. The compete level, across the board, was elevated to where it needs to be now for an entire season.
You're right. There are never any guarantees. "Youth" can go either way. But I've never been this excited about a Leafs team since the early 90s.
Thanks, again, for being part of this ride.

[HatterMike]

I was a late comer to the ALF-B but I have to say that VM has done a fantastic job of capturing our mood as Leafers/ettes. But more than that, the regulars have provided clever, funny and cutting comments that make watching the game that much more fun. I agree that this second half was special and there seems to be a new Leaf team with hungry youngsters. I can't wait for next season and I hope I can slink into the conversation with VM and the gang.

Thanks to you all for making the season fun!

VM Replies: Thanks for finding us, HatterMike.

[Sensi-Bill]

@enJoy hockey
.
"Bill wanting a word count!!!! Kidding, right?"
.
Yeah, it was a little joke. Thus the grin (g).
.
But the grin's gone now. (sigh)

[Sensi-Bill]

No Vinay, I was NOT trying to cause trouble.
.
If I was looking to get myself in trouble, I might ask . . ,
.
How many times this season have I drawn criticism, complaints and outright mocking for writing long posts?
.
How many times did people come right out and tell me to stop writing such long posts?
.
And did anyone ask any of these people if THEY were trying to cause trouble?
.
And there are others who occasionally write longish posts, including this one dude who occasionally has a word count much larger than even mine. Does anyone saying anything to him about it?
.
And I make a small joke about one such post and there's the suggestion that I may be looking to cause trouble.
.
Well, no, I wasn't looking to cause trouble.
.
But I wouldn't be surprised if now that I've noted a certain double-standard, I, and probably only I, am back in trouble again.
.
Well, let me note that I am not really looking for answers to those questions. If anyone is actually interested in them, they can answer them silently, in their own minds.
.
And let me try to avoid any further trouble by backing out of here, hands raised, head shaking, mumbling, "No. Not looking for any trouble. No trouble here. Sorry about my little joke."

VM Replies: I was joking.

[Judith Fitzgerald]

Welp, ViMMeR (which don' rhyme with Reimer but oughtta . . . erm . . . to whom do I speak to correct this oversight prior to your overlording get-to-get?). J/kiddin' . . . oh, okay, stallin' . . . because I am thrilled and humbled. This great cyberplace (except for the dust bunnies under the trollseats and the crushed beer cans strewn all over), I am its official "one-and-only" poet laureate?

Yay! Awe . . . shocks 'n' awww . . . Thank you for this singular honour I cherish beyond words; in fact, I am grinning from thumb to thumb struck damned-near speechlessly dumb. As if!

C y'all next year (or sooner if part of my poet-laureate costume involves lingerie and lemon squares, whoever comes first).

p.s. Boo? Lemme tell ya: My mother warned me about me; still, given your verklemptarious nature, you're on the right wrong path :)

VM Replies: Good morning, Judith.
The honour was bestowed with admiration and sincerity. Of course, as poet laureate, you will be expected to not only attend our summer event but also perform a reading of original material.
Consider this your warning.

[LeafsFan]

This team has played with so much heart and guts. Reminds me of the "Clark and Gilmour" years.

[Robert]

Sensi-Bill: It is easy to become distraught in the early hours of the morning. Perhaps long, rambling posts are good therapy?

Keep them up and interesting.

Doctors orders!

[TimB]

I'd be thrilled if Judith would write a poem entitled "Lingerie and Lemon Squares"

[Robert]

I endorse TimB I'd be thrilled if Judith would write a poem entitled 'Lingerie and Lemon Squares'. Actuallly sounds like the title to a movie on the Leaf Hockey Team!

[We BeLeaf]

Good morning Vinay and to all in Leafs Nation!
.
It's too bad last night's game was meaningless in general. Almost as if one lets the air out of a balloon is much like how most of us feel. PP mentioned it earlier as to why Goose didn't get the start, and I think it's because Wilson is trying to get Reimer to 20 wins this season. Good to see Bozak become only the second Leaf to score shorthanded on a 5 on 3 PP.
.
One more game to go people!
GO LEAFS GO!!!
.
Cheers!

[Wandering Penguin]

Morning all:

Here's to our fearless leader:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkIe_wgnGfI&feature=fvwrel

'Cause somedays, putting up with all of us, he really has to wonder....

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Well, it was 3-0 for New Jersey when I left from school last night so I didn't bother checking the score once I got home, but it's nice to see the buds atleast made a game of it. Here's to hoping Grabo can score a couple (or atleast one) on Saturday night! It would be a great way to cap off a season, beating his ex-team (the hobbits, nonetheless) at home while becoming the 3rd Leaf to reach the 30 goal plateau this season! Wouldn't it be grand?!?!?

[Wandering Penguin]

@sarkozy: I expect no less from Grabbo. I hope he is double-shifted and everyone on the team spends the entire game setting him up for that goal,

[TimB]

Robert. We should ask the Leafettes what they think about a feature film.I have a video camera.I'm just saying.

[TimB]

@Wandering Penguin.I don't know what's funnier,your video or the fact you would know the song even existed.This blog is truly something else.

[Alecia]

I don't care if we are out or not, there needs to be a Game 81 blog!!

VINAY!!!!

VM Replies: Oh, God. I took a poll last night in the comments. I was told there was no need to recap Game 81. And now I'm tied up with other work.
I tell you what. I'll recap Game 82 twice.

[Wandering Penguin]

@TimB: would this be a bad time to mention that I heard Carol Burnett and Jane Lynch "cover it" on Glee? Probably.

So I won't. Just ignore this post. La la la la la la....

[TimB]

@Wandering Penguin. Ignore what post???

[We BeLeaf]

@ Wandering Penguin,
.
I liked your post about being involved with the Highlanders and was surprised what Chico Resch tried to pull. I wonder who was worse....him or Billy Smith? In any case, I thought I would post a little joke for you that I was told by a bagpiper...
.
Q. Why are bagpipers are walking forward?
.
A. To get away from the noise!
.
Cheers!

[Geoff Read]

Wow. No recap of the game today. And you call yourselves fans. You're mailing it in just like the Leafs themselves!!! Do you think your team will bother to show up Saturday or should we just give the Canadiens the two points now?

There. I felt like I was going soft. It was time to raise the elbows a little bit.

[Michael C. Nemirsky]

Totally surprised and amazed at the choices Ron Wilson so casually makes! Sits out James for the Florida game when the team is on a roll, then plays James in a emotionally nothing game against Brodeur and the Devils? Mind boggling what thought process justifies this strategy. Ohh-vey. On a positive note, what a shortie by Bozak. First 2 man shortie since my favorite leaf of all time, Darryl Sittler scored on March 19, 1980. Good on you, Tyler. Sure hope we show up with a top notch effort on Saturday to destroy the Scabs!

[Wandering Penguin]

@TimB: I have no recollection, Senator.

@We BeLeaf: Chico was a real cut-up according to all sources. I honestly can say I wasn't surprised - he was just nuts but not in a Smith/Hextall way. For one thing, Smith would probably have aimed higher!

Liked the joke, though. I love the sound of the pipes but I certainly recognize that they sure aren't to all tastes. Still...imagine the opening game without 'em. And I'm particularly lucky in that I got to play with the pipers...but didn't have to listen to them anywhere else since I didn't play them myself!

[Wandering Penguin]

@Geoff: even if our team didn't bother to show up on Saturday it would still be a tie....

[Wandering Penguin]

@Michael: I THOUGHT it had been a long time. Someone on the TV last night (Sportsnet maybe?) said it last happened in the 1998-99 season but that's about all the info I heard and I didn't really trust it. I can honestly say I have never seen it happen in all my days of watching the Leafs - must have missed Sitt's goal.

[hoofheartz]

@Geoff, you can be forgiven for being a little bit of a troll, after all your team did make the playoffs.

[Wandering Penguin]

Apparently that Sittler goal was the ONLY OTHER time it has happened in Leafs' history:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2011/04/06/sp-leafs-devils.html

So I guess if I missed that one by Sittler...I've never seen it happen.

[Wandering Penguin]

Wow. If you think WE'RE upset that nobody "helped" us, try to imagine being a fan of the Flames after that unbelievable call on the Hossa "goal" last night. I just saw the replay for the first time - the Blues were up 2-0 at the time and eventually lost 4-3 to the Hawks.

Not only was the puck CLEARLY not across the line, but Hossa equally clearly kicked it. There was no way a referee and several people with several video angles can ever call that a goal. And yet they did. Pathetic.

[We BeLeaf]

Leafs are going to call up Joe Colborne to give him a look. He's put up some good numbers for the Marlies this year. Any guesses as to where they slot him in? Third line centre between Kadri and Crabb?

[Ken Baumgartner]

Has traing camp started yet?

[Wandering Penguin]

I just hope they give Colborne enough ice time to get a good look at him, as long as he is pulling his weight. Some PP time probably wouldn't hurt, either.

[Peter]

that doesn't sound too bad. Colbourne and Kardi should be good together and Crabb has a bit more physical presence.

[Alecia]

Doesnt matter Vinay, there needs to be "Game 81" Blog. Just cause we didn't make the playoffs, means we no longer car?

Did everyone hop off the wagon? Am I on this thing alone? Heeeellllllllloooooooooo?!?!?

VM Replies: Well, technically, there was a Game 81 comments thread.

[moe green]

Man I am sick of watching the Leafs play for "pride" - or lack thereof - on the last night of the season. Ouch, and against the Canadians again. Nice.

If they try this again next year I'll... wait another season. God we Leaf fans are idiots.

[Peter]

VM, the problem is the next game is two days away. what are we supposed to do in the meantime without a new post? :-)

VM Replies: I'm putting something up today, Peter!

[Ken Baumgartner]

I don't see the value in bringing up Joe Colbourne for the last game if it means taking someone out of the line up who has worked his ass off to try to get to the playoffs. Give Gusstavson the start too then.

[Wandering Penguin]

Is Alecia not seeing our comments? Echo echo echo echo....

[Ken Baumgartner]

Give the guy a break. we just got kicked out of the playoffs. What else is there to say for one game but can't wait til next year and you already said it. Tough crowd.

[Pyramid Power]

Poor poor Vindaloo. What a morning.
Hassled this and harassed for that.
We're gonna drive him to demand NOT to write the blog tomorrow at his overlords meeting if we all keep this up.
Vishnu bless ya Vindaloo.

[Pyramid Power]

No offence whatsoever Alecia, but right now you remind me of Rajiv in that sitcom 'Outsourcing' based in India, and poor Vinay is Gupta. LOL

[Peter]

WM, i was just kidding, i hope you know that. :-) i know you have other obligations as well...

[Peter]

i want them to win this last game. and i want Reimer to go off the ice with a standing O.

[We BeLeaf]

@ Bomber,
.
If anything, Goose should have been given the start last night, or at the least should have replaced Reimer in the third. However I think they went with Giggy simply because it may have been the last game in a Leafs uniform. However, that's not to say that they don't split duties again on Saturday night, or perhaps we see Gus and Giggy.

[missideb]

Good Morning All,

From every Reimer interview I've listened to, this kid wants to play in every game. Perhaps Reimer wants to finish off the year. They way he's played for us, since coming up, and given the fact that he is our #1, why would they not play him. Eliminated from playoffs or not, we should still be trying to win. Given a choice between playing Reimer, wonky groin, or Gus, who hasn't played an NHL game in it seems like forever, as a coach who do you play? As this point, if Reimer wants the games, you give them to him.

[Pyramid Power]

Have said this sometime before, but man do I wish hockey had a version of baseball's winter leagues for players who need off-season work, or want off-season work to, uhhmmmm, be all they can be.

Greenland would be an ideal place for a summertime pro hockey league methinks. Jesting. Kinda.

I would want the following Leafs and Leafs prospects to report there on Sunday afternoon:
Mike Komisarek. Brett Lebda. Carl Gunnarsson. Keith Aulie. Luke Schenn. Simon Gysbers. Matt Frattin. Matt Lashoff. Tyler Bozak. Christian Hanson. Luca Caputi. Fredrik Sjostrom if we are keeping him. Do not know. Jay Rosehill. Colton Orr. Joffrey Lupul. Jake Gardiner. Greg McKegg. Joe Colborne. James Reimer. Jonas Gustavsson. Jussi Rynnas. Ben Scrivens. And many many others. Feel free to add names I have missed, or who you think should participate in such a league if it existed.

[missideb]

Sorry about my spelling, in last post. Was up late doing books and taxes. I can't see straight yet.

[Geoff Read]

Pyramid,

I like your idea for a Greenland summer league. Teams could compete for the "Gardar Cup" and travel from fjord to fjord for games in sea kayaks. It might toughen players up who need to find some passion and consistency. From Montreal I'd like to nominate Andrei Kostitsyn, Benoit Pouliot, and Scott Gomez to play for the Narsarsuaq Sled Dogs this summer.

[Pyramid Power]

@We BeLeaf Love the fact Colborne is 6'5 and shoots left. Outstanding. This could be our guy to centre Bozak and Kessel. Left handed shot playing with two righties stacked with potential.

I would like to see him getting first line work Saturday night with Kessel and Loop. Be really surprised if Reimer does not start and finish the Saturday game. Fans need to give this kid the ovation he deserves throughout the game, but especially at the end of the game of course.

Also echoing another poster: hope Captain Dion, Burke, Wilson and even Nonis address the crowd and national TV after the game to thank us for our patience, and promise absolutely that next year will be different and the usual platitudes.
Btw, 4-1 Blue Jays start in just over 15 minutes for those of you in Toronto who want to take the afternoon off and give our team some much needed support.

[missideb]

It is now being reported that Giggy has been battling a sports hernia all season. He will have surgery at the end of season - as per Jonas Siegel 640

[Robert]

Geoff: Your team is overrun with dogs now!

[Boo Who?]

Oh for the love of Pete...what's a 'sports hernia'?
Do women have sportses to hernia?
Why have we been playing him with a hernia in his 'sports'?!

Now I'm even more worried about Jonas and his ticker, because why do you keep a 26 yr old in the press box night after night in favour of a guy that has his sports in a knot?
I will be wringing my hands and pacing fretfully if anyone needs me.

@ Judith - 'verklemptarious' is perhaps the nicest word anyone has ever used to describe me.
No it's DEFINITELY the nicest.
Competition wasn't exactly stiff though...
(But my lack of popular favour should in no way detract from the fact you are an excellent judge of character.)

[missideb]

For anyone who has Leafs TV, they will be covering the Frozen Four. Matt Frattin and the Sioux hit the ice at 9pm tonight. This kid is a really exciting player to watch. Hope Burke can sign him.

[Robert]

TimB You got the camera, I have the editing equipment. Get the Leafettes and the pom poms and we will do:

"LINGERIE AND LEMON SQUARES'

Coming to a theatre near you. The true story of the Leaf hockey team and their international fan base. Original score (2 to 1) No overtime and no shoot out. See the real thing in real time.
For the first time, see lemon coloured pucks. Guys eating lemon squares while stick handling through the whole Montreal team.
Reimer in his 'kitchen' eating squares with one hand and posting a shutout while mixing Vodka martinis.
Where else but on ALFB can you get this kind of entertainment. Not technicolour but glorious White and Blue. TimB. It will be our first blue movie!

[Pyramid Power]

Geoff
Love it! I would also have Markov, Gorges, Darche, Pyatt, White, Eller, Halpern, Desharnais and your entire farm team in Hamilton there as I hear from the good folks running Inside/Out at the Montreal Gazette that the Canadiens have NOTHING on the farm. Seriously. Very very little up and coming prospects. Brings me great joy obviously. And Louis Leblanc isn't even leading his own JUNIOR team in scoring.

I will be delighted (not to be combative with you or anything as you are a Canadiens fan I happen to like even if I find it unconscionable that you like them but never lived there and do not live there or near there) when the Canadiens get demolished in the first round by Boston.

Reasons for this: the Bears hate the Canadiens and their mostly boorish reprehensible fanbase for the Chara incident amongst so many other good reasons.

Bruins very very motivated to do better this year in the playoffs after making history for all the wrong reasons against Philly last year.

Thomas will outperform an overworked Price and of course is in line to win his second Vezina in three years. Hope Price does not have any kind of meltdown, or I may have to start calling him Carrie again. Did you know he has lost his last nine playoff games? Fun fact.

The complete destruction of the Canadiens last game in Boston, 7-0, will be the template Julien uses to guide his guys in the video room and motivate them to take care of their business in brutally efficient fashion. I see the Canadiens bowing out ungracefully in four right in the Bell Centre with the fans mercilessly booing them off the ice. Such a delightful picture I have painted n'est ce pas mon ami? Just having some fun with ya man.

Could be a good series, but reality dictates otherwise. Too many players hurt or playing hurt. Cammalleri not at 100% and I think Gionta is also not completely healthy. Does not look pretty for your Canadiens. I think they will be joining the Leafs on the links very, very shortly. Qu'elle dommage. :)

[missideb]

@Boo - Just one more reason why I don't really think Gus is part of long term plans. At the end of the day, it's all about winning. Why would they think a wonky groined Giggy is a better option than Gus? Things that make you go hmmmmmm.......

[hoofheartz]

I think that to talk to the fans after the final game would take a certain amount of humility. Dion - probably, BB - I can see it. Wilson - all your going to see from him is heals and elbows as he flees the ACC.

[missideb]

@timb - ha, ha, love it!

Lebda in the press box eating oranges and drinking Shirley Temples

[missideb]

Robert, see my last comment to TimB - magnificent story line
Apparently along with my spelling issues this morning, I need to put on my reading glasses. Hilarious!

[Boo Who?]

@ missideb - indeed.

@ Robert - lemon coloured pucks? What, are we filming in the men's room?? What kind of movie is this anyway??

[Peter]

i wonder hwy they didn't shut Giggy down if he really has sports hernia. it's painful and no way one can perforn up to par with it.

[Boo Who?]

Oh god, why did I google 'sports hernia'?
I feel like covering my sports and I don't even have any. Owwwwwwwwww. *crosses legs*
Poor Jiggy. That is not the sort of injury a goalie wants to have at ALL. Someone has some splainin' to do.

[maxwelledison]

@ Robert

Utterly fabulous post!
LMAO.

This one qualifies auto-entry on Film Director Vinay's summer-to-do list... and permanently archived for future ALF B party use/reuse.

... That was too much, Robert!

[Pyramid Power]

@missideb Gus needs to go to Greenland this summer. :) Or maybe Sweden has a summer league. :) I think, as Vinay pointed out last night, that Gustavsson will be given every opportunity to win a job next year.
Burke worked so hard to get this guy signed, and we won out over three other teams that were wining and dining him.

Not ready to throw Goose back to Sweden just yet, and he is signed thru next year.
He is a proud young man, a passionate young man and we may not have seen the last of #50 in our net yet.

Interesting point you raised last night about Oshie and the Blues depth at centre. Is Oshie UFA on Canada Day, or any of their other centremen? Would have loved to have gotten David Backes in a trade, but he has been signed long-term by Davidson and the gang there. Bummer.

Here's to the Anaheim Ducks and Corey Perry wrapping up the Rocket Richard trophy last night with a hattie and his 50th goal. Looks like they are safely in the playoffs just about, and is there a better line in the NHL than Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan? Perry is being given serious Hart trophy consideration and rightfully so although I think Danny Sedin will win it.

[Geoff Read]

I gotta agree with missideb, all signs point to the Leafs having lost confidence in Gustavsson.

@Pyramid... you might be right about the playoffs but you might be wrong too. We'll see I guess. The way Montreal played against Chicago gave me hope.

As for the farm team, in the past year Subban, Weber, White, Pyatt, Pacioretty, Desharnais, and Eller have all graduated to the big club, so if the farm's a little thin it's more a sign of success than failure.

[A True Leafs Fan]

you know what would be a great post? a certain fan having a certain beverage with a certain hockey player, while a certain "somebody" writes a certain piece about a certain encounter...... just throwing it out there

VM Replies: I have not forgotten.

[RADSherbet]

I really enjoyed this article/post and feel it adequately describes everything I feel as a Leaf fan myself at the end of this season and I too would like to say, "Thank you!" to every current Leaf player on the roster. Knowing THEY care, seeing they care, makes me proud to care and happy for our future.