This weekend in sports up here in Canada had more drama than an outbreak of poison ivy in a nudist camp. Mats Sundin provided the warm prickly feeling when he scored his 500th career goal in dramatic fashion. The Leaf captain netted the game-winner, in overtime, short-handed, it tied Dave Keon for second all-time in Leaf goals at 365, and it polished off a hat trick.
It looked as though it would be the Flames that would ruin the evening as they threatened on a 4-on-3 power play in overtime, but Sundin blasted a slap shot from just inside the blue-line 50 seconds into the extra period that rocketed past Vezina Trophy winner Miikka Kiprusoff. The goal ignited a raucous celebration by the 19,338 fans at Air Canada Centre.
The fans stayed on their feet and continued to shower applause on their beloved captain, an emotional moment that saw Sundin return the love by clapping in their direction after skating out as the game's first star.
Meanwhile in Hamilton the Tiger Cats played their final 2006 home game losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 29-22. One more game and the end to this dismal season will finally be over. At 4-13 the Cats have bared their teeth and wade through the torcherous burn caused by way too much time spent on defense, bad coaching and silly mistakes that made them look like a bunch of amateurs.
The loss was bitter sweet as Cat fans said goodbye to their number one cheerleader, Pigskin Pete. As I mentioned yesterday the affectionate man in the bowler hat said his goodbyes after 31 years. Paul Weiler will be missed and his heir will have a big hat to fill.
And if the stinging wasn't bad enough, in Edmonton, fans watched in shock as the Esks lossed to Toronto 28-25. The loss gave the iron horse of the CFL a record of 5-11 placing them out of the playoffs for the first time in 34 years.
The steak was the longest run of consecutive playoff appearances in North American professional sports.
The good thing is a new week is about to start which means a whole new week of oohs, ahs and ouches. Good luck to all you poolies. Go leafs go!
Later,
Kenaz
