Mats Sundin Scores Winner As Canucks Beat Leafs In Instant Classic

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.

Like a good writer finishing up a story, Sundin had the chance with a swoop of the stick, to write the perfect ending to this story.

He didn't disappoint.  And did anyone really expect him to?

As Leafs fans know best, Sundin-a staple of shootout competitions during his time in Toronto-has two solid moves, that can make the best goalies look amateur.

He has his first set, a blazing fast entry and a quick wrister that hits the bar and tucks in under the line.  The second, a little slower approach, a flinch to get the goalie opened up, then a quick forehand to backhand move, and it's all over.

Sundin opted for the latter on this night, putting the puck past former teammate Vesa Toskala, who had a great game for Toronto.  

It couldn't have been written any better.  not even someone who will pick up an Oscar tonight could write a story like this.  

It's sports baby, in all its glory.

As Sundin's Canucks teammates mobbed him on the ice, the Air Canada Centre faithful, usually grumbling and heading towards the exit at this point, weren't leaving.

They were standing.  Anticipating.  

After months of wondering how they would react to Sundin returning, they wanted another shot at him.  

Knowing there was a chance he could be named a star, they wanted one final look at their former captain.  Perhaps, one final goodbye.

Then, as hoped, Sundin was named the first star by the in-house selection committee at the ACC.  The fans wanted one more chance, to see him skate on their ice in Toronto.

And so did he.

Sundin came out to another loud standing ovation from the Toronto Maple Leafs faithful.  

He blew kisses, bowed modestly, and clapped for everyone in attendance, just like they did for him.

He did it all while wiping away a tear or two.  Just like they did.

(watch the video here)

As Jim Hughson so appropriately coined it "a class act for a class act."

February 21st, 2009, a date that will go down forever in Toronto Maple Leafs history. 

For all the right reasons.