Storybook Ending: Mats Sundin Scores Shootout Winner in Return to Toronto

A night that had been circled on many Leaf fans calendars finally was front and centre Saturday night as Toronto's favourite son Mats Sundin made his return to the ACC with the Vancouver Canucks.  How the fans would take to Sundin was anybody's guess. 

That question however was quickly answered when following the first tv timeout Mats was given a two minute standing ovation following a video tribute to the great former Leafs captain. This was all alot for the Swede to digest as he appeared to be overcome with emotion and nearly moved to tears.

All that aside there was still a hockey game to be played and a great chance for the Canucks to put some distance between themselves and the pack in the playoff race.  Once the ceremony was over the ACC fans were treated to a real classic showdown on hockey day in Canada. 

The Leafs drew first blood on the power in the first when Jason Blake tipped in a  Pavol Kubina  point shot to give the Leafs the lead going into the intermission. 

The Canucks came out in the second much More determined and were able to get back on even terms on the power play when Sami Salo's one-timer took a deflection before finding the back of the net.  Late in the period however the Leafs got the lead again when Matt Stajan found a hole a fired home a goal from an impossible angle. 

That goal looked like it may hold up as the Canucks pressed hard in the third but were time and again thwarted by Vesa Toskala who was spectacular as was Luongo.  There were less than five minutes left before Alex Burrows as he has all year played hero once again with a beautiful tip in on a Sami Salo point shot. 

The overtime was a memorable one with the Leafs getting an early power play and both teams getting several odd man rushes but neither Toskala nor Luongo would budge.  It was fitting that the game be settled by a shootout after such an evenly played and hard fought game. 

After five shots taken the stage was set for Mats Sundin to step up and win the game in his return.  Sundin did not disappoint as he when to the backhand and fired it past Toskala to give the Canucks another two points.

Afterwards an emotional Sundin put his return into perspective, "There's been a buildup for this game," Sundin said moments after giving the Vancouver Canucks a 3-2 win.

"All the battles and everything we've gone through over the last 13 years with the Leafs, so many ups and downs and disappointments and happiness. A lot of feelings came to mind on the ice.  "There were tears coming," said Sundin. "That was very special." 

It was a fitting way for Sundin to come back to the place that he spent 13 seasons and became the Leafs all-time point getter.  Sundin was named first star as he was serenaded with cheers throughout the building as the Toronto fans showed alot of class in Sundin's return. 

The game itself however was a very important one for the Canucks as they have now won eight of their last nine games and remain in fifth place in the West with 68 points.  Vancouver will now get a well deserved rest before playing Tuesday in Montreal. 

With the win Vancouver for the third time this year ties it's season high win streak at four games.  Alexandre Bolduc was called up from Manitoba and played on the fourth line with Ryan Johnson and Taylor Pyatt.  Alex Burrows now has seven points in his last four games and has found some real great chemistry with the Sedin twins.

The top line of Burrows and the Sedins provided the offence once again for the Canucks as they combined for four points in this contest.  With trade deadline coming up in a couple weeks here this team is making Mike Gillis' job that much harder.