Unbelievable. Unforgettable. A moment to live forever.
These words describe perfectly the scene at the Air Canada Centre last night as the Vancouver Canucks, and Mats Sundin, rolled into Toronto to battle the Maple Leafs on Hockey Day In Canada.
Everybody and their dog had opinions all week long on what would happen last night. How would the crowd react as Sundin, a former Leafs great for thirteen years, returned to the ice? And to be honest, it was as advertised. The moment he stepped on the ice, there were some cheers, and some jeers, to greet the big Swede.
The game itself had a little bit of everything. Great chances at both ends. Big saves by two goalies matching each other glove for glove, and pad for pad. The action was fast paced, and the skill was on display for the full sixty minutes. Dominic Moore almost completed a two-on-one with his feet. It was that kind of night.
But what happened during the first television timeout, and following the conclusion of the game, will live forever.
It will live forever, etched into our memories. It will live forever, being played time and again on sports T.V. shows and Sportscentre Top 10's.
After countless days of hype, and a mixed reaction from the ACC faithful during pre-game, the Toronto Maple Leafs fans (and the great Canucks fans who made the trip) showed their true colours.
During the first commercial break, a video package was aired honouring Mats Sundin. His legacy. His time as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
And what resulted is something no one will ever forget.
Fans inside the Air Canada Centre, and all across Leafs Nation stood up, looked on in wonderment, and gave Mats Sundin the adulation and admiration he deserved.
(Click here to watch the video)
As you see in the video, a usually quiet, reserved Sundin couldn't help himself anymore. the situation got the better of him, as the former Leafs captain acknowledged the fans, fighting back tears. A fight he would lose, as his eyes welled up with pure emotion. He stood, waved a friendly "thank you" to the fans in attendance and around the world, and tried to get back to playing.
Only he couldn't.
As Sundin took the ice, the emotion became even more intense. As he skated to try and clear his head, and his eyes, the linesman held the game, allowing the Leafs to shower their former king with even more respect and love.
It was pure class, and as a Leafs fan, and a fan of the National Hockey League, it was everything I had hoped it would be. It was a perfect example of everything that is good about hockey.
Along with Sundin's emotional serenade, you could also say the game itself was everything that is good with the NHL these days.
A couple of powerplay goals, some great chances at both ends. Speed and skill, on display, flying down the ice with the greatest of ease.
The game was as even as could be. Tied after 65 minutes of solid back and forth play.
Only this magical story was far from over.
Alain Vignault, perhaps with a flare for the dramatics and heart warming moments, selected Sundin to close out the shootout.
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