Maple Leafs 4, Oilers 3

Published February 18, 2007 @ 09:25 in Toronto Maple Leafs

LeafsThe Leafs suck at pomp and circumstance. I was totally underwhelmed by the pre-game ceremony honouring our 1967 Stanley Cup champions. It was nice and all, but I expected something more. I expected a longer ovation for Dave Keon, I expected it to at least feel like those awesome ceremonies they have in Montreal to honour Hab legends.

I got an email from someone last night who reminded me the Stanley Cup made it to Mike Vernon's pre-game honouring. A second rate goaltender got the cup but the 1967 champs didn't, and the cup lives down the street. I haven't read Rosie DiManno's column in the Star yet, but Humble called me this morning and gave me a taste of what she said. It sounds like we agree.

At least we won the game. We're 8th in the East, sitting in a playoff spot and in sole possession of 3rd place in the division.

Current Record  Last Games Season Leaders
29-22-8
66 points
3rd in Northeast		 4-3 Win vs. Edmonton
4-2 Win vs. Philadelphia
2-1 SOL vs. New York Islanders		 M. Sundin - 55
T. Kaberle - 47
B. McCabe - 41

2 Responses to "Maple Leafs 4, Oilers 3"

Al
February 18, 2007 / 12:07

I agree Mike, I think there would have been a longer standing Ovation, had the announcer not cut the crowd off. I was so pissed when Andy Frost started speaking after only (maybe) 20 seconds of applause. Once again Keon's feelings about the Leaf's organization have been affirmed.

Stephanie
February 18, 2007 / 21:24

About 5 seconds into Keon's ovation I started timing it. Now, I haven't read any newspapers today or really heard anything about it, but it was 40 seconds (plus or minus, I suppose) and I though it was very underwhelming and very interesting that he was the second from last player called upon. But it seemed like the crowd was ready for the ceremony to move on... it didn't seem to me that the announcer was trying to speed it up.

I was expecting more. What... I don't know. Even Mats, in his first intermission CBC talk said something about long openings taking the mind out of the game. After he said that I started to wonder what the current day players REALLY thought about it. Sure, we as paying public would like to see something less than 40 years between final victories, but what about the guys who grew up in the area or just play here for money (that is, no sentimental attachment).

Dave Keon is still bitter. In his pre-show interview, he is still bitter and I wouldn't expect to see him at another function. He wanted to be personally invited and he didn't get that at Maple Leaf Gardens when it closed in '99. Not that I blame him, but he is just bitter. Capital B. He's Bitter. He will die bitter. That's too bad. Too bad that he's devoted this many years to such a wasted emotion. Move on and get on with it, but stop being bitter.

I'm not sure mediocrity is what MLSE were after, but that is what it ended up being. Every year another year goes by and no Cup. Really.. what does 40 years mean that 39 didn't? WE KNOW it's been 40 years. Hindsight says to me that maybe with such a lukewarm reception it really shouldn't have happened. Lets just hope we're not sitting here next year at 41 years..

But we will.


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