Roenick Strikes In OT

In what had been a series that had heavily favoured the home team in each game, the Philadelphia Flyers came into the Air Canada Centre last night for game six of their Eastern Conference semi-final against the Maple Leafs and changed this trend by picking up a thrilling win in overtime putting an end to the Maple Leafs’ season. The Maple Leafs put forth a valiant effort to tie up the series and send it to a seventh and deciding game but in the end came up short because of a just as determined Flyers team.

Robert Esche, after leaving early in game five, showed no ill effects in the Flyers net turning aside thirty six Maple Leaf shots. The Leafs, in fact, outshot the Flyers thirty six to twenty five. He was tested often by the Maple Leafs, more so in the later stages of the game, and each time came up with a save preventing the Leafs from taking the lead. Perhaps the Leafs best opportunity to take the lead came late in the third period. Domi, who was likely the best Leafs forward throughout the playoffs, charged hard to the front of the net to take a centring pass, however, his shot toward a seemingly wide open net was kicked away with a tremendous stretching leg save by Esche.

Despite managing to tie the game late in the third period, the Leafs were given numerous chances in the first and second periods that they were unable to capitalize on. The Leafs failed to score on three power plays in the first half of the game. Throughout the playoffs, the power play was an aspect of the game that the Leafs really struggled with finishing with a meagre ten percent success rate.

The overtime session resembled a regular season overtime of four on four rather than a tight checking playoff style overtime that is commonly seen. Both teams played a very open style of play resulting in strong chances for each team. The final shift of the Maple Leafs season included a thunderous hit by Tucker on Sami Kapanen resulting in a good chance for the Leafs. After failing on that scoring attempt, the Leafs were caught up ice allowing the Flyers to break out on a dooming two on one rush. Jeremy Roenick held onto the puck until Bryan McCabe had gone down to take away the pass and then put a laser shot in the top corner of the net over Belfour’s shoulder ending the Leafs season.

Though the 2003 - 2004 edition of the Maple Leafs fell short of the expectations many people had for them, the season still cannot be looked at as a total failure and disappointment. For fans, at the end of the day, hockey is a form of entertainment and man did the Leafs ever entertain the members of the Leafs Nation this season. Of course winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal for the team and the ultimate dream for the fans, it is absurd to look back at the last nine months as a waste of time and to direct the blame toward a few individuals on our team.

The Leafs played hard all year and never quit, not after embarrassing losses, not after poor performances, not even after key injuries. After being down two games in this series, the Leafs could have given up. Instead they fought back and won the next two to tie the series. After a seven goal meltdown in game five where every player seemed to have their worst game of the season, the Leafs could have again quit. They had no scoring and no defense. The play of usually dependable players like Bryan McCabe seemed to resemble the play of Jyrki Lumme dressed in a McCabe jersey. Forget it right? The Leafs still did not give up as they fought to the bitter end in game six where a bounce their way could have pushed the series to a seventh game.

The season included numerous high points. Here is a list of some of the memorable moments of the 2003 – 2004 season:

September
• Signed Ken Klee who became a stalwart on the blueline until injuries hampered his play late in the year
• Signed Joe Nieuwendyk who made solid contributions from the second line all year
• Held training camp in Sweden and surrounding countries in Europe exposing the great game of hockey and NHL life to another continent

November
• Leafs fight back from three goal deficit in the third period against Los Angeles to finish in a tie
• Leafs go on a sixteen game point streak which ends on December 27th against the Islanders

January
• Gary Roberts and Tom Fitzgerald become the first two teammates to play in their 1000th game in the same game

February
• Mats Sundin and Gary Roberts are named to the NHL all-star team
• Matt Stajan named to the NHL Young Stars team
• Pat Quinn coaches in the all star game
• Leafs fight back from four goal deficit and end up beating the Ottawa Senators in overtime

March
• Acquired Brian Leetch from the New York Rangers who showed Leaf fans why he is one of the best defensemen in the league
o Finished second in team playoff scoring with eight points
• Leafs fight back from 5-2 deficit in the third period against Buffalo eventually winning 6-5 in overtime
o Alex Mogilny records his 1000th career point on the game tying goal

April
• Clinched home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a convincing 6-0 win in Ottawa
• Ended Ottawa’s season for the fourth time in five years with a thrilling game seven victory

There was a lot to be proud of throughout this past season and a lot of players who all fans should be proud to have on the team. With the uncertainty of the collective bargaining agreement looming over next season, it is known whether or not the Leafs and the rest of the NHL will start up as usual next October. Hopefully an agreement is worked out to allow NHL hockey to continue next season and bring fans throughout North America a great pastime for the winter months.