Favourite Maple Leafs Goal Of All-Time
With the new season quickly approaching, the Maple Leafs have brought back the old commercial in which fans talk about their favourite Leafs goal of all-time (you know the one, right?). So it got me thinking, what’s my favourite Maple Leafs goal of all-time?
Borschevsky versus the Red Wings in 1993? Nope. Gilmour’s overtime wrap-around against the Blues that same year? No, not that one either. My favourite Leaf goal of all-time is Steve Thomas’ OT winner in Game 5 versus the Senators in the 2000 playoffs. Now the overtime goals by Borschevsky and Gilmour may have been bigger, but I have to put Stumpy’s winner at the top of my list because I saw it in person.
I was at the game with my brother and we had ‘seats’ in the 300 level bar. We paid around $100 each for these standing room tickets, but it was well worth it (plus, the bar was only a few feet away). The series was tied 2-2 and you could feel a lot of nervous energy in the building. We did not want to go back to Ottawa down 3-2. That nervousness turned into euphoria as it ended up being the best game that I’ve ever gone to.
Thomas tied the game with less than 5 minutes to go in the third to send it to overtime. The action in overtime was unbelievable. Both teams traded glorious scoring chances, making Thomas’ winner that much more exciting:
Sergei Berezin and Thomas broke out of the Leafs’ end after Shawn McEachern (I think) missed a great chance off of a Curtis Joseph giveaway. Berezin had the puck. Stumpy flew past a flat-footed Igor Kravchuk, creating a mini 2-on-1. Berezin went wide and carried it into the Sens’ zone. Thomas roared to the net. Berezin laid a soft pass into the slot (probably the only time I can remember Berezin passing the puck) and Thomas re-directed it past the double-pad stack of Tom Barrasso. The place went crazy. I went crazy. I remember jumping up and down wildly and screaming uncontrollably. I high-fived my brother. I high-fived everyone around me. There were even people running up and down the bar behind us in sheer joy. It was unforgettable.
The celebration carried out into the street and into Union Station. Chants of “Go Leafs Go” could be heard everywhere. Blue Maple Leaf flags could be seen in every direction. The party carried on well into the night.
So that’s my favourite Leafs’ goal of all-time. What’s yours?
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/santosdan
October 1st, 2009 at 10:29 am
All you guys make me feel old….while I like all of yours, my favourite one is Lanny scoring in OT in game seven agains the Islanders.
Wendel’s against the Kings to tie it was epic too and Killer’s wrap around was awesome, because they came at the height of desperation really…lot’s of Leafs have scored great one’s in the playoffs, but thsoe standout to me.
In regular season, I have to say Sittler’s sixth of the night…you were just begging to do more that night…it wasn;t pretty, but spectacular, just the same…plus any of Tiger Williams goals…man I loved it when he scored, everybody watching at home or at the rink came alive when he did!!
October 1st, 2009 at 10:31 am
@EF
I make the trip to MTL once a season, it’s always a gong show and more often than not results in some kind of altercation with Habs fans, it is a bus load of drunken Scottish/irish Canadians, we’re not soccer hooloigans but certanly shit happens. It’s an anuual trip Iv’e been doing for about 10 years or so
October 1st, 2009 at 10:31 am
@Edward
Maybe you could get Tranny to come on and get us really pumped up to fight!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 10:32 am
Anybody that wants in for a Maple Leaf Hot Stove Hockey Pool check the link below.
Go to: http://fantasy.sportsnet.ca/sportsnet/fanhock09 and register, then join our group by clicking this link
http://fantasy.sportsnet.ca/sportsnet/fanhock09/groups and search for the “MapleLeafsHotStove” group that we’ve created.
The group password is: leafs
October 1st, 2009 at 10:37 am
Anybody hear Berger today on the Fan? That man has absolutely no clue about hockey at all…he picked the Leafs to finish 9th and said that Burkes comments about this team making the playoffs were stretching…he said for them to make it their goaltending would have to go from the bottom two or three to the top eight in the league for them to even have a shot at the playoffs. Now this moron saw all the games last year, and actually if they ahd better goaltending, they would ahve made the playoffs last year, not taking into account the changes that they have amde for this year…why can;t they get someone with some hockey sense to follow and report on the Leafs???
October 1st, 2009 at 10:38 am
@Potsy
I now know why we got off on the worng foot, were the same hahah
“he aint heavvvy, hes my brotherrrrr”
-Austin Powers (originally some song, captain may know ohhhhhh old guy rip sorry Cappy)
Im guessing you can figure out im Irish and ive been to a couple games in Habland donin the Blue and White its so much fun. Your my hero.
@Cappy
That guy was on here for like 2 hours a couple months ago and was such an idiot that he has cemented himself in futur discussions as the gauge for jackassery. He was an outlandish man who lived a life only the inside of his head would believe.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:43 am
@Edward
He came back on as somebody else two weeks ago or so, and we picked him out right away…Jordan was onto him quickly!!
I do believe that was The Doobie Brothers, but I could be wrong.
And just so you all know, I do have freinds that are Habs fans….funny thing is that all of them look like gnomes with hockey sweaters on!!! LOL So NO KILLING THEM…a little pain is fine, afterall they will be heartbroken after getting the ass whupping the Habs are getting tonight!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 10:45 am
@ Komi: Done
Today should be a national holiday. Anyone else skipping work to watch the game?
October 1st, 2009 at 10:48 am
Well I felt bad about MTL because I doubt they will be good this year and they will be fucked for good. But now after hearing Gainey’s comments on how they are fast and we are not (Stalberg, Kessel, Blake, Grabo anyone?) And that Burke was doung it wrong, I want to see people crushed….and stepped on
October 1st, 2009 at 10:49 am
Has anyone mentioned Joe Nieuwendyk shooting the flutterball past Patrick Lalime in Game 7 of the 2004 playoffs vs. Ottawa?
.
LOL
October 1st, 2009 at 10:50 am
EF
Watching the leafs on the road is by far and away The best thing any leaf can do. It so beats watching the leafs at the ACC. Because the 3/4/5 thousand other leaf fans there and true fans. And they cheering their collective nuts off. not sitting on their manicured hands like the suits at the ACC
October 1st, 2009 at 11:01 am
@potsy…where do u live? I’m in the US and ur so on point! going to leaf road games is awesome. prob is that they’ve been shitsack for so long now that you usually dont leave the arena victorious. Almost gotten into a few tussles with some hecklers. that said, at least this year if we dont win the game-we’ll certainly leave some teeth on the ice before its over.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:05 am
My Fearless Predictions (why not?)
…
I took into account the coaching staffs and coachibility, the age of teams, the new arrivals, goaltending, the systems and the divisional rivalries. I think any team can improve or fall easily this year being a kind of transitional year.
…
EAST
1. Washington 109
2. Pittsburgh 101
3. Boston 97
4. Philadelphia 96
5. Carolina 95
6. Toronto 94
7. Montreal 92
8. New Jersey 90
9. Ottawa 86
10. NY Rangers 85
11. Tampa Bay 83
12. Florida 82
13. NY Islanders 77
14. Buffalo 76
15. Atlanta 73
WEST
1. Calgary 108
2. San Jose105
3. Chicago 103
4. Vancouver 100
5. St. Louis 98
6. Anaheim 97
7. Detroit 96
8. Edmonton 86
9. Nashville 84
10. Los Angeles 83
11. Columbus 82
12. Minnesota 77
13. Dallas 70
14. Colorado 69
15. Phoenix 68
Don’t scoff at my Leaf prediction. I predicted them to finish 10th the past 2 years.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:07 am
Paso
I live just outside the GTA. I’ve been to MTL OTT Buff Pitt Long Island and Carolina. Win or lose It’s always a blast being on enemy turf. As for your last sentence….That’s what I am most excited about. A Clearly defined team identity, Younger Faster Bigger Stonger Meaner
October 1st, 2009 at 11:09 am
Footnote: The division leaders would be reseeded of course
October 1st, 2009 at 11:16 am
@Komi
hey i joined the group how can we see other peoples teams?
and do we get to change them weekly or am i stuck for year with these?
October 1st, 2009 at 11:19 am
@Edward Flannery
You can change your team weekly, but you cannot see other people teams until the deadline for the week has passed. So you’ll be able to see everyone’s teams starting tonite at 7PM
October 1st, 2009 at 11:20 am
cheers and good luck….girl!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 11:21 am
Last Day of my month vacation…..no better way to spend it but with a Leafs/Habs game !!
LETS GO LEAFS !!!
October 1st, 2009 at 11:22 am
Tonight is going to be GREAT! To me and I imagine everyone one of us this is the greatest day of the year, my wife says I have the same look on my face as my kids do on christmas…GO LEAFS GO!
As for favourite goal to many to choose one, but favourite comercial is easy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4ZuB-83jxg&feature=channel
October 1st, 2009 at 11:47 am
The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Nikolai Kulemin from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
To make room on the roster the Maple Leafs have placed Phil Kessel on the long-term injured list.
Tsn.ca
wonder why they recalled him? Possibly Mayers cant play tonight?
October 1st, 2009 at 11:51 am
I think its because they couldn’t put Kessel on LTI until the 1st but I am not 100%
October 1st, 2009 at 11:54 am
Is there going to be a gameday thread to have in-game discussions ??
October 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
AS for DS OP
I was at that game as well, and what I remember about that game, is how terribly boring it was. Until the leafs tied it up, than it was one of the most excitng stretches of hockey played at the ACC. Pure end to end action. Capped off by a great goal
October 1st, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Definetely Clark scoring the hat trick goal in Game 6 of the Kings series in ’93.
That game tying goal by Clark essentially put the Leafs ONE goal away from going to the Stanley Cup Finals.
I know anyone who was up at around 1AM (ET) when that goal was scored was going absolutely NUTS!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Why not recall Bozak? Kind of goes against BB & RW public comments.
@ Captain Morgan – I use to read all of Bergers comments but I dont even bother anymore. The guy is so far out of touch, it’s like he is following a different team.
Last Year – Toskala’s point percentage was 0.561 while the combo of Gerber, Joseph and Pogge was a horendous 0.371. If Toskala can even match that and The Monster as well, thats good for 92 Pts….and that’s not even considering a better defense.
ATB
ND
October 1st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
@daniel marois
thats my favorite
October 1st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Having the Leafs in the 9th spot is a pretty common prediction. Not a bad place to be. The players can use it as motivation. Goaltending is going to be huge.
If the Leafs are sitting ninth the week before the trade deadline they can move some vets for picks and bring in the young guns. That would be an exciting stretch run.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Surely Bill Barilko’s final goal has got to come somewhere in this discussion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWoGF5YqB98
October 1st, 2009 at 12:14 pm
The article on TSN says they couldn’t do it until today (Kessel on IRL), that’s why the 22 man roster yesterday.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:15 pm
@Richard
You are right my freind…only a few of us remember seeing video or hearing about it though.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:15 pm
What is strange is that is my favourite goal in a game the Leafs ultimately lost.
Of course the Leafs qualified for the Conference Finals subsequebtly in ’94, ’99 and ’02.
But it was only in the ’93 Conference Finals that the Leafs realistically had a shot at winning the Stanley Cup aside from those other later successful playoff runs.
What always bothered me about the Kings going to the Finals is they never proved to be a worthy opponent for the Habs and lost in 5 games. Even if the Leafs made it to the Finals and lost to the Habs, they were not going out in 5 games I can tell you that.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:20 pm
@Captain: Yeah, it predates my parents but I love a bit of history.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
It’s goals like that… and the history/story/tragedy of Bill Barilko that makes the Maple Leafs franchise the best in hockey.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:23 pm
@ Capn . RSW
After all it ” Won the Leafs the cup..’In overtime.’ I mean. “They didn’t win another ‘ til 1962, the year he was discovered…”
October 1st, 2009 at 12:26 pm
@Potsy
Wow…that was Tragically Hip man!! LOL Nice that they put some of the Leaf history out there for others to hear!!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother: The Hollies.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
@Julie Sucks
The Hollies….really!!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I am going to listen to 50 Mission cap at least a half dozen times before puck drop tonight, just to ge tme in the mood!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I stole this from a hockey card….
October 1st, 2009 at 12:45 pm
My favorite leaf goal is also Mats Sundin in game 2 in 2001 vs the sens. I think alot of people over look that goal, but i live in ottawa and saw it live which made the goal all that much sweeter. I remember the days leading up to the series every sens fan in town was cocky as usual and were certain they would beat us in 4 games. The team 1200, (the same radio station tie domi sued because they said on air he beat his wife) created the “leafs suck song” and dedicated a full hour for two weeks prior to leafs bashing. I was younger at the time and had cheered for the sens from time to time but was rooting for the leafs because i had true allegence to them. As we filed in to the, then corel centre, I endured the jeers and boos from the other fans as expected because i wore my blue and white “rag,” as they called it. The whole game there were sens fans sitting behind me taunting me after every play. Finally overtime came, and when Mats crossed the blue line and shot a bullet towards the net, there came the spectacular noise of the puck hitting the post and going into the back of the net. There was not a sound coming from the crowd and it took minutes for what had happened to sink in. Once it did i stood up and did not say a word. I first simply stared at the sens fans behind me with a smile on my face and have never felt such a feeling again. Then just as quickly as we had filed in we left the building, and the only sound coming from the leaving crowd was the fading cheer “go leafs go.” The next morning i remember tuning the radio to the team 1200 once more, and for the whole hour they never even mentioned what had happened. At school even my classmates pretended they hadnt watched the game because they were busy doing other things. All this even though they were only down 2-0 but i guess they were right they had already lost. That is my favorite leafs goal and i haven’t cheered for the sens ever since!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Mats Sundin – Goal # 500. Something magical about the way that game went down.
http://www.inbadtaste.net – up and running!
October 1st, 2009 at 1:03 pm
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother: The Hollies is correct Julie and it’s a lot better than the remake by Neil Diamond.
…
Snots knows s**t.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:12 pm
@Julie
Boy was I way off…I thought either the Doobies or the Aisley Brothers….DOH!!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
who the fcuk are the Aisley Brothers?
November 21st, 2009 at 11:18 am
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