Weekend Update

Things that made me happy:

The word “consecutive”. As in, the Leafs have beat the Senators 6 consecutive times. Also as in, the Leafs have won consecutive games to start the season for the first time in 11 years.

If this had been last year, Toskala’s gaping five-hole would have sent us into overtime against the Habs.

#37, Tim Brent. Some people would say that it is ridiculous that a third-line plug could make this list, and that I’m just painfully searching for anything to make me happy – and, well, it is and I am, but I don’t care. I like this Canadian-born journeyman, I love that he scored the first regular season goal for the Leafs and worked hard for a goal against the Sens, I see a lot of promise in his simple, but tough game, and he’s better than Kadri. Sold.

Celebrating Movember early

Mike Brown’s moustache. -->

Kessel and “Bozie”. Don’t hate me, I’m just going to say it: ADORABLE. And yes, also worthy of being a legitimate first line along with Kris Versteeg. 

2-0-0. Infinitely better than 0-7-1.

.           Despite being up 5-1 against the Sens in the 3^rd, Colton Orr still fought Matt Carkner for no apparent reason other than Carkner being right in front of him. Orr also got the second loudest cheer from the crowd at the ACC when the players were being introduced. Could this BE?! Could we have ourselves a new Wade Belak?! Because I would LOVE that.

Being able to say that the Leafs had a hand in Carey Price’s inevitable nervous breakdown.

This video.

Hearing sentences such as: “The Leafs’ consistent speed has forced a number of Senator turnovers”, and “Eric Karlsson just got absolutely run over by Grabovski.”

And, I must admit, hearing the opening licks to “where the streets have no name”, as the GM Place celebrated 40 years, backed by a crowd of fans who actually know how to cheer for their team. Also the adorably humble look on Hank’s face as he switched to a sweater bearing the ‘C’ (although this whole captaincy business is sure to make for an uncomfortable thanksgiving dinner at the Sedin house).

Things that made me not so happy:

The font the Sens use for the numbers on the back of their jerseys.

The fact that the Toronto Sun was lambasting the Leafs during the pre-season as the worst hockey club on the face of the planet, but after the game against the Habs, had “PERFECT!” emblazoned across their cover. All of the other things that I want to say on this point will cause me to be on the receiving end of a defamation law suit.

The overblown commentary (in Toronto?! Never!) regarding Kaberle’s ‘A’-less sweater.  Speculation has run rampant, particularly in light of the comments made by Kaberle’s father regarding the allegedly sour relationship between his son and head coach Ron Wilson. The two dominant theories behind Kaberle’s demotion are (1) that Ron Wilson took away the ‘A’ out of spite, and (2) that Kaberle will definitely be traded before January is out, and that it was therefore pointless to make him an alternate. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve never heard of someone being stripped of their status in anticipation of a trade. And while I’ve heard that Ron Wilson isn’t necessarily the most beloved coach in the world, I feel fairly confident that he’s not this vindictive drama queen who has turned to using his already beleaguered hockey club as a venue for his personal vendettas.  Could it not just be possible that our beloved, fresh-in-from-a-toboggan-run defenseman is simply not of leadership caliber? As much as I love the man (and I do), the Leafs need to be handing those letters to the men who can inspire the dressing room in the middle of a January slump, and not to those who have simply put in their time with the team. Given that I’ve never been in the Leafs’ locker room (TRY AS I MIGHT), and given that I have unyielding, foolish faith in the Leafs administration, I’m just going to have to trust that Phanuef, Komisarek, and Beauchemin deserve the extra adornment on their sweaters.

Alfredsson’s moustache.

Alfredsson.