What a game.
One thing that occurs to me is that if the Vesa had been in net, none of the drama that we saw at the end of the game would have happened. I don't think that Toskala would ever have reacted the way Martin Gerber did after the second Washington goal. I liked that Gerber showed some emotion and frustration. That's the way it supposed to be. You don't have to go crazy like Eddie. Cujo would get mad. Felix would get mad. I want a goaltender that gets pissed off when the Leafs are getting screwed.
This game, and specifically the dirty goal at the end of the 3rd, reminded me of a game from last year around this time when the Leafs thought they were still in a playoff race. The Leafs lost to the Devils, 2-1, March the 8th, on a suspiciously familiar play. Check out the video of the game here and fast forward to (3:45) and you'll see Zach Parise pitchfork Toskala into the net for the game winning goal with less then a minute to go.
Brutal. Total garbage. And yet, the Leafs, and the Vesa, sat there and took it. "This one hurts for sure", said Sundin with a sigh. A sigh! I got so sick of that heavy sigh. I got so bored of Paul Maurice's scrunched up puzzled concern. Doesn't he know what's going on? The Leafs are getting screwed!
Here's Gereber last night. The Capitals' tying goal is disturbingly similar to Parise's, but Gerber's reaction is a refreshing blast of emotion not seen by a Leaf netminder since well before Red-light Raycrap came to town.
Gerber was furious and he had every right to be. I'm not sure he expressed himself in the right way, but he had the right feeling and he directed it at the right person. Just wanted to point that out and salute Gerber's 34 (shoulda' been 35) save effort. Cujo became the star of the night and received a tremendous ovation for his thrilling performance, but it was Gerber whose raw emotion set the stage for the incredible drama that unfolded in the final act.
Way to go, Cujo. 9 saves, 8 of them in overtime, and the game's first star. What a fantastic finish.
As a final thought, I hope the Leafs start pitchforking opposing goalies into their nets more often since that's obviously an acceptable strategy.
9 comments:
Great post, brother.
I, too, loved the Gerber's passion tonight. Fuck that pitchfork shit. It's happening way too often to us.
Sign Gerber to a contract. Let him back-up Vesa. Actually, let him challenge for the number one job in camp next year. Why the fuck should Vesa be handed the job? He was garbage all year, save (pardon the pun) for one month.
And, Cujo, wow. That was fun to watch, for real. That's how I want to remember #31.
Thanks, eyebleaf. If Pogge ain't ready then Vesa and Gerber would make a good platoon combination, at least until next year's trade deadline when one of them will hopefully reap a bounty.
What I don't get, and this applies to the Grabovski incident too...
why the fuck are these Refs grabbing angry players who aren't touching anyone else?
Obviously the player is going to say GTFO to a ref hugging him after making a fcuked up call.
Hey Naveed! No kidding, eh. If you watch the 2nd video at the 2:08 mark you'll see Gerber skate towards the ref and then the referee actually skates into Gerber and pushes him away. He actually gives him a little bit of a shoulder check.
I'd be happy to have Gerber back next year just because of that sweet-looking 1980s-style paint job on his mask. But having him display a little passion doesn't hurt the cause so far as becoming a fan-favorite goes. Think he learned the finer tips of throwing tantrums from Ray Emery?
As for Curtis Joseph, I was dubious when he said he wanted to play again next year, but this kind of performance makes me a little more of a believer. I'm not saying he should be here in Toronto, but if we're tanking anyway, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to see him extend his farewell tour and still retire in the Blue and White, so long as he's determined to go out without tarnishing his legacy.
Of course, as is the case with John Ferguson Jr., my inclination to screw up the goaltending situation is why I'm not GM of the Leafs.
Great comment Peter Lynn! Gerber did look a lot like Emery last night. That's kinda funny.
I like Cujo a lot, and I hope he retires as a Leaf. That'd be great. But I guess that means I hope he retires in the summer. Maybe he can join Joe Nieuwendyk upstairs.
I think Gerber should have been named 2nd star. He deserved it, Cujo was awesome but so was Gerber.
Absolutely agree. 100%. Gerber shoulda been the 2nd star. That would have been really cool to have 2 goalies in the 3 stars. Thanks for dropping by Meatriarchy!
Nice quote from Burke in the Star
this morning:
"We understand why (Gerber) was so upset. This goal should not have been allowed.
"We believe this was a blown call. This guy (Laich), it was like he was digging his car out of a snowdrift in Ajax. He pitchforked (Gerber) into the net."
Take that, NHL. You too, Ajax.
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