Maple Leafs

Now as Tracy points out, they probably should be called the Toronto Maple Leaves rather than Leafs, but that’s not the area of discussion for this post. While in Toronto I took advantage of a free evening to go and watch my first ever ice hockey game. From what people in the office said it sounded a bit like the Leafs were similar to Seattle teams – well supported but not really very good!

As I tried to enter the stadium, security confiscated my camera lense! Apparently if contravened some sort of NHL governing body rules – I guess they didn’t want me selling high quality images of the game to the local newspapers. It was disappointing as the zoom would have allowed me to take some fab pictures – I’ll have to try and smuggle it in next time – if there is a next time.

After quickly scoffing a couple of pizza slices I settled down to watch the game. Unlike American football and baseball there is nothing too complicated about the rules of hockey, so I could just sit and enjoy. The highlight of the first part of the game was a fight between two players. For some reason, in hockey, they don’t bother trying to stop the fight, the referees just stand next to them watching until one of the players ends up on the ice. At that point two of the refs leap on the players, keep them on the ground and then send them both off for 5 minutes!

With about 40 seconds left in the game the Maple Leafs trailed the New Jersey Devils 3-2 but then with just a few seconds left the Maple Leafs equalized to take the game to overtime. Maybe luck was on their side and the Leafs weren’t as bad as the Sounders, Seahawks and Mariners afterall?

One minute, eight seconds into overtime and I realized that they were. The Leafs went up one end and spanked a shot against the post and then the Devils went up the other end and some how the goal tender managed to take a shot that was going wide and direct it into the opposite corner of the goal.

Final score, 4-3 to the Devils. And lucky devils they were too.

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