Mats makes it a perfect evening.

What a freaking game. Are you kidding me? What a return to Toronto for none other than Mr. Torontonian. The Canucks came back and took the Leafs to overtime on Saturday night, only to come away with a thrilling (official) 3-2 win on a Mats Sundin shootout winner. Andrew's feelings? Well, when I texted him a message asking if he saw the exciting battle, I only received the return text of, "Saw it. Fuck Sundin." I realize that I would feel the same way after a finish like that, but you still love the guy, right?

Jason Blake scored the opening goal on a lengthy slapper that found a way through Lu. El Roberto fell to the ice in disappointment after letting the rubber slip through. One announcer said, "Wow, you never see Luongo fall to the ice in disappointment." Of course, the smarter announcer responded with, "Actually, he does it quite often after allowing a goal." Down 0-1 after 20 minutes, it was comeback time. Sami Salo decided to start it off after a penalty on Dominic Moore, with a slapper to tie things up on his fourth of the year (only?). Luongo would give up another one, however, before the second period would end. Matt Stajan, who I hear is supposedly pretty good but I don't believe it, scored a short handed goal just before it ended. Luongo really should have beat up on his D at that point. Luckily, it would be the Amazin' Alex to the rescue at 16:03 of the final frame. Daniel Sedin sent a puck toward the net, and my man AB deflected the puck in midair with one of the best deflections I've ever seen. He played a little air guitar to celebrate the game tying goal, and we were headed to OT (which most people nowadays realize means we were headed to a shootout). The shootout featured Po Po Demitra doing his thing again, Kyle Wellwood missing on a really terrible attempt. After Lu gave up a goal to Grabovski, it was all on the line for Mats Sundin. Make it, you win in front of all the Leafs fans around the world. Miss it, and their boos are vindicated. Before the game, Toskala said he knew that Mats would fake to the backhand if it came to a shootout. Knowing that didn't help him stop Mats. The move that Toskala predicted was the move our elder statesman used, and he netted one of the more thrilling goals of the season. Yeah, I know. I didn't think I would say a Mats Sundin goal in a shootout would be one of the most exciting goals of this season, but it was, I have to be honest. It was a really nice moment. 

Mats got first star of the game, despite having 0 points and a -1 rating in over 20 minutes on the ice. And, I couldn't agree with the choice more. 

The win was a big one, solidifying the #2 spot in the Northwest for the 30-21-8 (68 points) Canucks. My boys continue to hold in the 5 spot in the Conference, sitting +2 on Columbus, +3 on Dallas, and +5 on #8 Edmonton and #9 Anaheim. Up above, the #4 Blackhawks are still out of reach at +8 of my boys (just like Calgary). Quit being so proud, Jon. Next up is another on the road East Coast battle, this time against the Montreal Canadians. We don't have to think back far to remember to 4-2 win that the Orca got against these fools at the Garage on 2/15. The Twins and AB all had 2 points, and hopefully that stellar new top line will be ready to strike yet again.

Just under 3 days until the first Spring Training game!