The last time I live blogged a game, Sidney Crosby was part of a Canadian team that beat the Russians at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Crosby is in town tonight as part of a Pittsburgh Penguins team looking to end our playoff dreams. I'm comfortably situated in my basement, watching the game on CBC and dropping my two cents here throughout the night. Go Leafs Go!
19:13 - No Bob Cole tonight. Here in Toronto we get used to hearing Bob Cole with Harry Neale every Saturday night. He's been the Leafs HNIC guy since 1980. I like Jim Hughson though, he's the heir apparent. Leafs 0, Penguins 0
19:15 - Leafs score!!! Chad Kilger puts us in front early. There's a nice pace to this game thus far. I'm feeling good. Leafs 1, Penguins 0
19:19 - It figures Gary Roberts would score on the Pens power play. I'm still glad he's in Pittsburgh and not Ottawa. I thrive on Ottawa's post-season chokage. Leafs 1, Penguins 1
19:28 - Did I just see a 2 on 0 for Pittsburgh? Great defence, guys. There's a penalty on the play and the Pens PP is pretty deadly. Leafs 1, Penguins 1
19:40 - This Pittsburgh team is the team I'm most envious of in the NHL. They have such young, awesome talent. Jordan Staal, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury... these guys will be very good for a long, long time. As jealous as I am, I still root for them, but not tonight. Leafs 1, Penguins 1
19:41 - Leafs score!! Poni pots his 20th shortly after snake-bitten Sundin hit the side of the post. Leafs 2, Penguins 1
19:47 - I've just been advised by my lovely wife that we're watching Children of Men after this game. I just checked IMDB and it looks like it's going to be a good one. She also told me that Cory Booker is now mayor of Newark. If you've seen Street Fight, you'll understand the relevance. Leafs 2, Penguins 1
20:02 - I just read Michelle Bear Loves Bedtime. Did I miss anything? Leafs 2, Penguins 1
20:06 - Kaberle scores! He's got a great shot from the point and he didn't miss this time. We're 0-3 against the Pens so far this season, but as a wise man once told me, that just means we're due. Leafs 3, Penguins 1
20:13 - We just learnt the secret to Andrew Raycroft's success. He stops white pucks in practice. Leafs 3, Penguins 1
20:19 - Alex Steen just had a breakaway from centre ice but couldn't beat Thibault. Leafs 3, Penguins 1
20:23 - Yes! Bryan McCabe has us up by three and Fleury's off the bench. It's too bad the Habs are winning too. Leafs 4, Penguins 1
20:35 - We weren't just winning, we were dominating. The Pens have scored to get back within two. It's important I remember the Sabres before I put these two points on the board. Leafs 4, Penguins 2
20:42 - Twenty minutes to play and a two goal lead. The Rangers and Montreal are winning, so we have to finish this. Sweep the leg, Leafs! Sweep the leg! Leafs 4, Penguins 2
20:59 - I just read James chapter nine of Dolphins at Daybreak. It's great that they both go to bed during intermissions. Antropov just took a cheesy hooking penalty. Leafs 4, Penguins 2
21:08 - Time to exhale. Raycroft looks sharp tonight. It doesn't appear we have another goal in us, so Raycroft had better be sharp. Leafs 4, Penguins 2
21:24 - Damn. Crosby was pretty quiet all night but he just put the Pens back in the hockey game. There's still 4:38 to kill... Leafs 4, Penguins 3
21:30 - C'mon guys, one minute to play... and there's an empty cage. Leafs 4, Penguins 3
21:31 - Oh. My. Lord. Four seconds to go and we're going to overtime. I feel sick. Four damn seconds. Leafs 4, Penguins 4
21:36 - Overtime is delayed while they attend to a medical emergency in the crowd. This is an opportunity to reflect upon the reality of the situation at hand. We were up 4-1 in a crucial game and we let it get away. Roberts took McCabe to school and the Pens took advantage to tie this thing up with 4 seconds on the clock. Montreal and the Rangers have already won, so we need the second point just to stay a point out of a playoff spot. We need this. Leafs 4, Penguins 4
21:42 - There's something wrong with me praying for the extra point while some guy passes away in the fourth row. This world is totally out of whack. Leafs 4, Penguins 4
21:52 - The Leafs have had a few good chances. Colaiacovo even hit the post. We can't beat this guy. I want Thibault back. Mats, your mommy is calling you, and she wants you to freakin' score. Leafs 4, Penguins 4
21:54 - Kaberle, you're our only hope. Leafs win! Leafs win! Phew. Leafs 5, Penguins 4
