It was the first day of 2017 and I kicked the New Year off with a beautiful day in Toronto attending the Centennial Classic. My venture begun down the QEW towards the big city, decked out in Leafs gear to the max including my 2014 Winter Classic coat as well as a fuzzy eared hat, my new blue jersey and my Leafs boxers. I was primed and ready for a big day at such a historic event where the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Detroit Red Wings.
The fans were a plenty as the blue and white numbers were vast, but I give credit to the Wings fans showing their support. There were a number of Wings jerseys and the support was of quality; mind you, maybe a few too many Datsyuk jerseys’ for a guy who just fled to the KHL. Don’t worry my fellow Leafs fans; I was sure to let them know about Pavel’s departure back to Russia.
A quality pre-party and off to the game we went, juiced up and ready for an epic day in Toronto. With thirteen of us rolling in together and securing majority of a row we arrived about an hour before the game. There was a delay for 45 minutes or so as the sun was shining on the ice and they wanted to ensure it was as quality as possible before the game started. Not a big ordeal as it just gave more time to amp up for the game and ensured my stomach had some food in it and a cold beverage in my hand.
After the anthems were belted out the game finally begun, it wasn’t the most exciting first period as it seemed both teams were getting used to the lighting, ice and playing in this environment. Overall the play was good, just not a large magnitude of chances. It was in the second when things started to pick up, thankfully the third was a wild one which kept the crowd excited and loud and warm as the sun started to set.
The view from our seats was good, but I really don’t think there was any one spot that had superb seats. It was a game all about the experience with a decent view. We were row 7 behind the Red Wings net, so we saw the big flurry of action from the Leafs in the third period and overtime.
The game was as close as you could get to the feel of a playoff game without it actually being one. The fans were fired up for the game, a lot of friendly chirping going around between the Wings and Leafs fans; you have to appreciate it as it was all in good nature and part of the fun. Many kids were in attendance with their parents, so it was good to hear some back and forth between the fans to give the kids of this day and age some insight as to some of the fun of being a hockey fan.
There is just something special about a young fan getting all fired up and yelling at the ref or one of the opposing players, I don’t know what it is but I just love it.
The Leafs just about blew their load as the Wings tied the game up with just one second left in regulation. It was eerily similar to the Bruins game seven meltdown, thankfully with a better outcome!
We actually had two Red Wings fans that were sitting a few rows ahead of us, and they left the game after Toronto scored the fourth goal. What were they thinking?! Never leave a sporting event before it's over, rookie mistake! Coincidence one of the guys had a Datsyuk jersey on?
Who better to finish off the game than our boy Auston Matthews?
He scores the overtime winner for the Leafs for his 20th goal of the season and second of the game.
Matthews is a legend in the making, legit. I love this kid!
He tacked on another two assists last night versus Washington as the Leafs couldn’t quite hold onto the lead in the third period. It was quite the sloppy game for Toronto as the game progresses, they seemed to sit back a bit too much and not be aggressive enough offensively which led to Washington having more puck time and more offensive opportunities.
Those are simply growing pains by a young team that is still learning how to close out a game. It’s also a team that lacks an NHL defender or two for those types of situations. Things will get better and they will stabilize as the Leafs management tweaks the roster as we move forward to the next step in the Shanaplan.
Of all people…Ovechkin with the game winner. Make me sick!
The good news is the Leafs are just two points back of Boston and Ottawa who are rank two and three in the Atlantic Division. The Buds have played three less games than the Bruins but the same number as the Senators. The bottom line is, we’re not only in the playoff hunt, but were in great shape!
The Leafs have a 6-1-3 record in their last 10 games and are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, (Columbus is just off the charts winning 16 in a row).
Toronto will prepare for their next game on the road in New Jersey, which will be this Friday. The Devils are 4-5-1 in their last ten and have been relatively solid at home with a 10-4-2 record, so the Leafs will have to play a quality game and use their speed if they want to give it to New Jersey in their home town.
I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Years and are ready for a big year of hockey in 2017.
Tonight team Canada faces Sweden in the World Junior semi-final game, enjoy!
Thanks for reading and have a great day.