Toronto Hosts Centennial Classic in Memorable Style

The NHL really knows how to make a big production of a big event and there is nothing bigger than the Outdoor game kicking off the NHL's 100th anniversary season. Of course, the league put the game on in "hockey's Vatican" believing it to be the most traditional site for a game like this to celebrate the history of the league. Starting off on a delay, the league post-poned the time so that the sun wasn't glaring on the ice. From the start, it looked like a great day for a hockey game like this one. It wasn't snowing or it didn't have sub-zero temperatures, but the game was ideal for vision and television cameras.

But once the introductions and pre-game festivities got underway, I got a little bored as the player introductions to the top 100 players of all time lagged on and on and on. Yes, every single player represented by their family member deserved their moment, after a while the need to get the game underway was palpable not only in my living room, but hopefully on the stadium. Then, the Anthems were sung with a total opposite production. The Star Spangled banner was loud and drawn out which makes a lot of Americans cringe. Anthem singers are supposed to be required to sing the song respectfully and not give their own stylistic interpretation. The Canadian anthem was the opposite who sung in a low subdued key. The fly-by of the jet was cool to look at as it soared through the city.

Then there was Wayne. Gretzky had just been in St. Louis for a hockey alumni game and now going through all the ordeals with the press and photo-ops in Toronto today. I wondered what time did he get to rest? Amazing at how much he just does what he's asked to do and no complaints later. By then, the Leafs and Wings were being brought out from the locker rooms. Breaking from the tradition of outdoor games bringing the teams to the rink, instead, they came out to theme music one at a time. With me in my old KOHO TML jersey, I saw how amazing the new Leafs centennial alternates look like in action. I think I want one now. Beauts! Both teams look impeccable with their jerseys this afternoon. And lets also give a lot of credit to the host BMO field, the now multi-purpose soccer pitch that looks majestic leaving nothing in the States to compare it to. This is what a stadium should look like. the 100 mold on the field was also a very nice touch.

The first period ended in a 0-0 snorefest, but there was some great quality chances interspersed with video highlight packages. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews were also in the crowd to talk about their son Auston.

In the first intermission we get treated to some Bryan Adams playing his hits and the audience singing along to Summer of 69.

The second period the NBC crew doubles down on trying to identify players for fans to keep an eye on. I can tell they want MI favored son Dylan Larkin to become a future leader on the Wings. But it was legacy NHL player Anthony Mantha to get the Wings on the scoreboard first. The other notable things from this period was the momentum swinging too-many-men penalty that the Leafs took while they were supposed to be on the PP. It's the kind of mental mistakes that wreck a growing team like the Leafs. And there was also the brief interview taken by a young leafs fan with a Matthews jersey. He looked really awkward standing in Jeremy Roenick's shadow.

More Matthews and Larkin profiles.

The third period started off with a rush of blue jerseys and "Uncle Leo" Komarov picking up a goal standing right in front of the net. But that wasn't the only thing that riled up the Leafs in front of their host crowd in the Stadium - a Matt Martin vs Steve Ott heavyweight bout put some energy into the game that has been mostly a defensive grinding affair. This turned into a Leafs scoring blitz by Brown, Matthews and Marner until a Jonathan Ericsson goal made things a little more interesting with 5 minutes left in the game. It's certainly turning into a Classic game to remember with the Toronto crowd getting their money's worth. Then Larkin, the kid the've been hyping the whole game, makes a great little flip over Andersen's right shoulder to bring it within one goal. 4-3 Leafs.

With the goalie pulled and prior to no time remaining on the clock, the Red Wings find the puck and shovel it in through a pile of bodies taking up the crease. And after a lengthy review, the game went to OT.

The overtime flow of a 3-on-3 game brought scoring chances to both teams, but it was Auston Matthews backhanding the puck over the Detroit goalie's shoulder.

As the game came to a close, I am at a loss for any answer that could suggest a game better than the one I just saw. The game turned out to be all it was hyped to be and leaves a follow up classic in St. Louis to try and match the same kind of drama and entertainment.

Game of the Week (Season 2) - Toronto Maple Leafs vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Happy Halloween!

Game of the Week (Season 2) - Toronto Maple Leafs vs Pittsburgh Penguins

This week's game is inspired by all the hype from this upcoming game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs. It's Phil Kessel's first game against his old Toronto friends. In this episode, I am trying to focus on telling you just how many memories I've gathered from attending Pens games vs Maple Leafs at both Pittsburgh Arenas.

I've also kept up on the October "Breast Cancer Awareness" and "Hockey Fights Cancer" theme. Please consider donating anything you can towards finding a cure or for more medical research.

I am currently 1-0 in this season vs. the CPU.

So, no matter what I've done here during this video game in the series. I'll probably do a rematch over Halloween between these two teams. Yea, I've used the Penguins more times than any other team in the game, but I've been trying to stay current.

Do you have an idea to feature two teams in the next "Game of the Week" series? Then go ahead and leave a comment in the box below or wherever appropriate.

Tim Horton's Releases TML themed pastry confections.

Everyone knows that the most famous fast food chain in Canada is Tim Horton's, who's named after a famous hockey player. Today, the food chain makes another connection to it's humble roots by making a doughnut in honor of the team that once played for them.

As of Monday, fans can satisfy their cravings for fat and sugar with a doughnut covered in blue-and-white sprinkles at Tim Hortons’ 320 Toronto-area locations whenever the Leafs play a home game.

So, I guess I can't get one here! It would be a pretty expensive trip just for a doughnut.

There is nothing really special with this doughnut other than it has the corresponding colors of the team. Not even a little toothpick flag saying "Go Leafs Go" or something. But I'm sure it's still really delicious.

However, I have seen the stores in Erie, PA have tribute doughnuts to the surrounding High Schools. Toronto Star

Toronto Maple Leafs Unveil New Look Uniforms

In the slow news time between the end of the season to July 1st, there aren't that many breaking news flashes that frenzy up the media and blogs.

But the Toronto Maple Leafs have recently held a press conference to first show off the new look jersey - that really isn't a new look at all. Other than the drawstrings on the collar, it is exactly like the ones they wore 8 years ago. The dual leaf secondary logo on the shoulders is disappointing to me because I have always liked the TML motif that was on the 2007 jersey. Having a leaf on the team crest and shoulders seems almost redundant. I do like the addition of the drawstring as I have one of those on an OHL jersey in my collection. But doesn't it look a tad bit too close to the Rangers style?

But from the official team press release I have now gotten a good look to see that nothing really changed on the already iconic sweater that is the Toronto Maple Leafs. As many fans from the GTO have already expressed, the removal of the horizontal stripes on the jersey were quite controversial.

“Our fans have been quite vocal since 2007. They have wanted the stripes and shoulder patch back on the sweater,” said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. “We listened to them, and we hope they are as excited about the new, classic look as we are.”

Shocking that they actually listened to the fans regarding this issue. Have they addressed the sinking value of competitiveness in comparison to ticket prices? They are working on that.

The Maple Leafs will debut the uniform beginning with the first preseason game September 21 in Toronto against the Ottawa Senators. The team’s nostalgic white ‘Third Sweater’ that debuted in 1998-99 will stay the same in 2010-11.

And it will also be the debut of the newest captain of the Leafs in newly acquired Dion Phaneuf. It is semi-controversial in nature after the reports are now being mentioned that team management had made the decision to dub Phaneuf as captain when tradition and hockey culture suggests that the players are polled and coaches are convened. There were a lot of rumors going around in Calgary that claimed Phaneuf was a difficult person in the locker room. Time would only tell on just how much mark Dion will make on the legacy of the Leafs team in the upcoming season.

[Via: Toronto Maple Leafs Official Page]

Phaneuf traded in Blockbuster Deal

In a completely shocking trade announced by many in the blogisphere as well as NBC sports, the Toronto Maple Leafs have completely stunned the hockey world by announcing the acquisition of Dion Phaneuf from the Calgary Flames.

"We're still open for business, we're not done," [Burke] added.

Once thought of as a franchise that had meekly little value to make any kind of trade, the Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke was able to send 4 disgruntled TML players to land a hard hitting defenseman Phaneuf.

"Disgruntled" and "underachieving" were two reoccurring words used by analysts on this trade. Both teams were able to swap players who were struggling to produce offense and buried on the back end lines. Jamal Mayers, one of the Leafs players being shipped off to Calgary in the deal had been linked to trade demands earlier in the past week.

I like this deal and give it my endorsement as Phaneuf matches the "truculent" style that Burke was after all along. This puts a defensive outlook for the Leafs that deepens the roster with stars. The Flames get more offense to jump start their blue collar style of play. Ian White, while popular in Toronto, will bring his reportedly consistent work ethic to the Flames to cut down on how many shots Kipprusoff faces on a game-to-game basis.

To Leafs: Dion Phaneuf, Keith Aulie and Fredrik Sjostrom
To Flames: Ian White, Matt Stajan, Nick Hagman and Jamal Mayers.

But the Maple Leafs weren't quite done with the trading this day as Brian Burke raided his old Anaheim Ducks team to acquire disgruntled netminder J.S. Giguere. J.S. was unhappy riding the bench while his back-up Jonas Hiller was getting the starting nod more often. And the Ducks get Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake who were two disappointing and underachieving players in Leafs uniforms.

J.S. Giguere can stabilize a shaky goaltending situation in Toronto that might also have been the key to the Leafs win-loss record. Giguere fits in as a stopgap until Gustavsson can be ready for future NHL action. Burke, a cancer survivor, was a prime candidate to mentor young Kessel, but his departure was a necessary house cleaning for a 50 goals in 3 TML season disappointment.

To Leafs: J.S. Giguere
To Ducks: Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake

[Via: FOX Sports]

Maple Leafs Have No Sway With NHL Directives

Coming out of the Coyotes Bankrupcy circus today has the NHL explaining publicly that the Toronto Maple Leafs opinions do not sway the National Hockey League with a "veto power". Deputy Commish Bill Daly said so on 640 AM today during an interview with Dreger.

"It's the league's position that, no, they (the Leafs) don't have a veto power," Daly said, noting that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been very clear and consistent in this interpretation of league rules for some time.

This argument that the League has been protecting the southern Ontario market for quite some time on behalf of the Leafs has been the crux of the way Jim Balsillie has fought in hopes that he might get an anti-trust ruling in his favor.

Daly also pointed out that the commissioner has unassailable rights to interpret the league constitution as he sees fit.

Wow. so, basically Daly said here is that Bettman can do anything he wants. Wow.

I don't agree with that assessment, even if it is true. If the understanding that came out of the recent NHL lockout that the game is bigger than any one person, player, agent, or team, then how can this statement be made? Accountability at the highest levels is always necessary when any company is to remain successful.

[Via: TSN.ca]

HockeyKnight a Friend to Leafs Nation

Leafs Space TV, a quickly growing community to network all of the Toronto Maple Leafs fans, recently threw a party in the Loose Moose on April 3, 2009 for everyone making videos to Leafspace.com. The Maple Leafs fans have really accepted me vlogging there and as a reward for networking with them, chose to feature my greeting to the Leafs Space party.

You can watch my video that was used on Leafs Space here!Now, I guess I should do a vlog and blog trying to explain to my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins just what the heck I am doing. No - seriously guys, it's not what yinz think n'at. I still love my Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Angle of a Dangle

Leafs Nation has been represented on YouTube, Leafs space, and other networking sites by a young dude named Steve. I found some of his videos from early on in the season and I think he is one knowledgeable and entertaining dude. And since my blog has always been friendly to Leafs Nation, I feel like I should introduce him to my readers.

Steve doesn't fit within the stereotype of Leafs fans that gets described by those hockey fans who live outside of Leafs Nation. Take for example his latest video up on YouTube. Despite his team also losing to the Panthers, he turned his attentions to being classy about the return of McCabe and praised the virtuous Swedish hockey fans while contrasting them with the negative ones. How many of us fans can do that?

What I find so captivating is that his Vlog series entitled "Leafs Fan Reaction" is not only is it a daunting task to maintain a YouTube series, but he has all 82 games from last year and completed the first half of this year. They usually show up about a half an hour after the games are over. Steve mentions in his videos that he is still a student, so, that too is a mystery on how he manages to produce them all. How does he churn these masterpieces out so quickly?

Steve's style is part commentary and part funny skit. He introduces, what I would call, his "homer-ist" side character by donning his ML Gardens hat sideways. It's a funny character so he can portray a conversation with himself. But when he scores his arguments with the party-hard Leafs fan, he supports his arguments with examples from the game. The commentary is great, you can tell he knows the game well by the description of the highlights. I have yet to learn just how much hockey he plays himself albeit recreational

Recently, he was given a press pass to cover the AHL Marlies games so he could report on the progress of future TML players. So he's launched a spin-off series called "Marlies Minute" which airs on the same YT channel. Those are interesting as well, but I can't stand looking at the Marlie dog logo. He's captured a few sound bytes from Marlies players and been around to see breaking news about Newbury's call-up. I could probably give him some pointers, being an experienced broadcaster. Indeed, when you cross over into the media, its a surreal experience to be in a locker room full of people you, up until now, have only seen on TV.

All of his archived videos are on YT still, go check them all out. Even if they are dated, they are still entertaining to watch his show evolve. Even you Puck Bunnies and Hockey Honeys take note of the dimple in his cheek!

Leafs and Burke Destined To Be Together

Toronto Maple Leafs fans should be thankful today that the one man who has been hyped up to be the next great GM to turn things around for the once proud franchise has finally reached a deal, ending the speculation and the worries.

Burke first had to break free of the Anaheim contract and pay lip service to the Ducks team when speculation turned up the heat. Brian Burke, a "real man's man", built a reputation of fixing franchises his way by brokering trades. However, the Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment group, insist on being a "hands-on" corporate entity often stirring the pot for previous GMs in Toronto. MLSE would have veto power.

The deal is worth about $18 million - the rest of this season and the next five. Also, Burke will report only to the CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, which is currently held by Richard Peddie.

An official announcement is expected Saturday.

Brian Burke, a GM credited for 2 successful NHL franchises (Ottawa & Anaheim), was thought of and speculated as the next potential General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Being careful not to attract any collusion or contract tampering charges, Burke's family made it convenient for him to accept a Toronto job.

His arrival in Toronto will be greeted by a few familiar faces. Burke and coach Ron Wilson are former roommates at Providence College while he and player personnel director Al Coates worked together with the Ducks.

Getting one of the top names on their list, the Toronto Maple Leafs have looked at the hiring as a resurgence of their "traditional globally identifiable franchise brand" and expect to become relevant in the NHL once again.

[Via: Sportsnet.ca]

Love Guru a Hit and Miss

Mike Myers, of Austin Powers fame, has delivered yet another character in Pitka, a master guru of love connections. However, Myers character cannot know carnal love himself until he learns to love himself at the behest of his own teacher. I first broke the news way back in August 2007.

Myers is up to his old tricks by interspersing penis jokes into his films and this time, with random hockey action. I was hoping that this movie was going to reboot interest in hockey in Hollywood, but thanks to Mike Myers' sophomoric humor, I don't think it is going to do all that well. Dare I say - "bomb".

There are only a few things that I did like in The Love Guru film. The first being the Leafs in the Stanley Cup finals. Sports movies are all about the impossible coming to realization, if only for a thrill. The Leafs are far from the cup, but at least Leafs fans get a small taste of what it would have looked like.

Attired in my Maple Leafs jersey, I paid to go see this film opening weekend because I was eager to see just how well hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs were going to be treated. Myers is a Leafs fan, so no doubt it would be a positive role.

Guru Pitka is hired by the Maple Leafs to get the fictitious star captain Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) back with his estranged wife so that his on-ice play could resume to superstar status and win the Stanley Cup. The main nemesis in the film is Jacques "Le Cock" Grande a well-endowed goalie for the LA Kings (who just so happens to be playing in the Cup Finals. Rob Blake is the only real NHL star to make an appearance despite all the AHL Marlies stand-ins hired to make the film.

Jessica Alba, portraying the Leafs team President, gives an underrated performance as she is riddled by esteem issues since the Leafs have looked like a disaster on the ice. By the end of the film, Alba stands up to the rowdy Leafs fans in classic fashion.

Lastly, there is some really great positive self help tips sprinkled through the beginning of this movie that actually makes sense. I am seriously considering some of the wisdom offered by Pitka to his group.

"There is no failure, only early attempts at success" - Guru Pitka

But if you can't quite take my word for it, then go ahead and read this brief blog entry Occasional Superheroine: Best Worst Review Ever...

Mariska Hargitay!

[Via: The Love Guru Official Site]

Leafs Under New Management

Umm... this was long overdue!

The hiring of Cliff Fletcher as interim GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs to me was actually just the end of the beginning. I had followed a lot of the drama listening to the local Toronto sports talk radio media and perused the blogs speculations. I can only imagine what kind of pressure cooker could working in that city must be like. Poor JFJ was publicly humiliated in the media (to some extent he earned it after his failures) did he really get a fair chance to succeed with all the MLSE bureaucratic tape?

The more humorous section to this story unfolding is how and where did they dust off Cliff Fletcher and why did he accept this position. Cliff has a challenging task of building this franchise back up with a team that has very little or no trade value what-so-ever.

If I were the Leafs GM, I would first tell MLSE they can go shove it. Secondly, I would dump the albatross contract of Bryan McCabe and look to possibly getting the best offer for Mats Sundin. It's a shame that there is a chance that Sundin may not get to finish his career with the Leafs franchise since being the TML poster boy. I would then pick up as many draft picks as I can and hopefully have an expert scouting staff to build up a young core of players - something that the Leafs sorely lack.

[Via: NHL Network]

Maple Leaf Christmas

If you are having a little trouble shopping this year for family and friends, fear not! You still have 3 more days to shop. No Pressure or anything.

All you have to do is check eBay for last minute deals such as this eBay item, but you don't have to place a bid. Just take a look and it is sure to put a smile on your face if you consider yourself friendly to Leafs Nation. I have absolutely no direct affiliation towards this eBay member or this auction page, but I wanted to show you what one TML fan is doing. The price is pretty steep, but I guess they considered all the time spent working on the decorated tree seen at right. $2,937.90(US) stands the current bid!

A hockey themed Christmas is great idea for any hockey fan. When you are passionate about a team like me, sharing a wonderful day with the things and people you enjoy most can really emphasise the meaning of the holidays. Perhaps I should do a Black and Gold Penguins theme next year.