serge 904 Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 Taking my younger son to the game today. His first Leafs game. He is excited. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 The Marleau reception is by far the best I’ve seen for a returning player. Electric crowd. They all love him. Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted November 1, 2017 Author Share Posted November 1, 2017 We couldn’t make Anaheim happen tonight and probably not a good idea to be in Southern California tonight anyways. But we will be in LA tomorrow night. Hopefully the losing stops. Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted November 4, 2017 Author Share Posted November 4, 2017 Trip report: As a Leafs fan living in California we dont get a lot of chances to watch our team play live. So when the opportunity comes , we need to jump at it.. While the results werent what we expected watching the Blue and White on the road is a great experience and one my kids really cherished. For those that dont know, we live in Fresno California , which is about 2:15 minutes south of San Jose and 3.5 hours north of LA..(that 3.5 hours can turn into 5 for no reason if there is more than usual traffic) Monday night October 30 happened to be Leafs in San Jose and Patrick Marleau homecoming. I had been to the Shark Tank on two previous occasions. Once to a Leafs game 2 years ago and another time to Rangers vs Sharks game last year. The Shark Tank(SAP Center) is one of my favorite places to watch a hockey game. Its pretty much a hockey rink built specifically for hockey. Its very intimate , there are no bad seats and you are right on top of the play. The location is great, clean and easy to get in and out of. This game I was only able to take Mateo and we left right after school and got to the game about 90 minutes before faceoff. It was a sold out crowd, as they were there to show their support for Patrick Marleau who was back after almost a 20 year career in San Jose. These sort of things are rare in pro sports these days. One player spending that much time with one team is getting almost impossible to see. The 2 minute ovation before the game was just amazing. The place is was really electric and the Shark Tank is one of the loudest buildings i have experienced. As per the game the Leafs came out pretty flat and got outshot and out played all game. Were lucky to stay close thanks to great goaltending by Freddie..We got to see an awesome goal from Auston Matthews. But it was a loss. Mateo is actually a much bigger fan of hockey and the Leafs than Adrian is. Adrian is now much older and lot of other interests and school work dont allow him to be crazy fan like Mateo and myself. The joy in his face as he experienced his first Leafs game was amazing. There is a post somewhere in here about Adrian's first game, which was a story book game that had some crazy things happen to Adrian and me..We had fun, we were back by 1 am and he went to school the next day. He did sleep in the car. Thursday night was the Kings game. I wasnt planning on going to this game originally, as I knew it would be such a bad spot for the Leafs and we might see a really bad game..Third game in 4 nights in California, with Mc Back up in net. My wife said lets go, we got 4 pretty cheap tickets and picked up the kids from school and headed to LA. Now this is a much longer drive into a city with much more action and traffic. We did get there in plenty of time though. The Staples Center is MUCH different than the Shark Tank. Its much bigger, doesnt have that hockey feel as much as the Shark Tank. Its an arena built for the Laker, Clippers and concerts as well. Seemed liked many many luxury boxes. Our seats were pretty high, they werent that bad however. As I predicted the Leafs came out pretty flat on our way to a quick 5-0 deficit. However we did get some excitement as Auston scored on a penalty shot and a late second(literally) goal in the second made the third period interesting. The Leafs scored another one to make it 5-3 and then with a couple of minutes left Auston got ANOTHER penalty shot which if he scored would of made a hell of a finish. The Leafs actually were the better team in the second part of the game and outshot the Kings. The Kings are a very good team with which I believe to be one of the best goalies in the league in Quick. We fell a little short again 5-3.. These were my 5th and 6th arenas to watch the Leafs on the road. I have been to Montreal, Buffalo, Philly and Ottawa. San Jose seemed to be the most friendliest of all opposition fans. LA people in general treated us well to, except for the one knuckle head comment. "Hit him hard, he is only a Canadian". My response is always , dude half your team is Canadian including the guy you cheered on to hit(Drew Doughty). Ottawa has been by far the worst place for me to watch a game. The fans are a bunch of assholes and have an inferiority complex when it comes to the Leafs. All in all we met some really cool people. A TON of Leaf fans..Some travelling from Toronto and all over Canada. The cynics here will say I jinxed the team..Good for you. We as a family had a great time supporting the greatest franchise in sports and cheered on our team from San Jose to Los Angeles. These memories with the kids are priceless.. Our next trip is Las Vegas. We are all going to Vegas on December 27th..Have a real cool house rented with the whole family including in laws and my mom who is visiting. The Leafs play on Dec 31 and we are hoping to go..Tickets are pretty expensive there but hoping to score at least a couple of tickets. This team is truly the passion that unites us all. GO LEAFS GO 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Babying 613 Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Very good. I am looking at a few dates to make a trip out of it. Jan 19th weekend is Otto birthday and they play in Ottawa. Family weekend they play in Pittsburgh and Detroit. We also have the Buffalo dates in March Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 Here we go again Leaf fans..This year there is a lot of optimism that has been generated among the Leafs Nation...Coming off a very disappointing 2006-2007 season where the Leafs JUST and i mean JUST missed the playoffs, there is a lot to be optimistic for this year. The Leafs led by their young GM John Ferguson JR made some big off season moves to help this club. Acquring Vesa Toskala not only improved our goaltending situation, it will also give the franchise in a position to have trading power with 3 solid goalies in the system in Toskala,Raycroft and hot prospect Justin Pogge.The other major move the Leafs made is adding that elusive big scorer on the top line...It has been said for years Sundin hasnt had a true goal scorer on his wing and Jason Blake might be the guy. I personally believe that Blake is a better fit with the playmaking Kyle Wellwood and it remains to be seen how Coach Paul Maurice will have the lines set up.The other wildcard is Mark Bel..Bell was a highly touted 1st round pick with Chicago and put up 25 goals a few years ago before the trade to San Jose...After having personal problems off the ice, if Bell gets his act together he will be a major player on this team...Lets go Leaf Fans..Lets band together and lets do it this year... This post is just over 10 years old..Its cringeworthy some of the stuff that was written..Hot prospect Justin Pogge, Jason Blake and Mark Bell...Oh boy that was bad.. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 What will be Toronto's #1 line if Matthews can't play? Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 its tough to number lines in that scenario..But I would keep most lines intact..Nylander can and has played centre.. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 "Nikita Soshnikov has a clause in his contract that states the Maple Leafs must call him up by November 14th or else he can return to the KHL on loan. The Insiders discuss whether this clause might force Toronto to make a move..." Link to post Share on other sites
Babying 613 Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 The Leafs play Philly on Jan 18th on Lindros retiring night. My buddy is a huge Lindros fan and wants to go. I am iffy because I am not sure if I want to make the trek. However if I do go, Otto will of course be tagging along with me. The casino is down the street and as you know, I will make a trek over to it. I than thought Otto can't go but he will be able to at midnight. He turns 21 on Jan 19th. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted November 16, 2017 Author Share Posted November 16, 2017 We miss Auston again tonight. I’m still torn on the NHL policy on lack of info on injuries. Link to post Share on other sites
Babying 613 Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 5 in a row. 4 without Matthews. Otto is on a trek with a bunch of York U guys in Montreal this weekend. They hope to get tickets for the game. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 How fun was that game as a fan!!!! The Matthews wrist shot is just awesome Link to post Share on other sites
Babying 613 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 5 in a row. 4 without Matthews. Otto is on a trek with a bunch of York U guys in Montreal this weekend. They hope to get tickets for the game. 100 York U students went to Montreal. Only 6 guys went to the game. 4 of them already had tickets except for Otto and someone else. The scalper wanted $200 for the tickets but Otto got him down to $150. He told me that they had an unreal experience at the game and the guy Otto went with said the ticket was worth every single penny. Looks like Otto has a new buddy. Also forgot that students are generally poor. They ate at food courts and fast food. Otto never got to experience the restaurants in Montreal but they did go and see the nightlife. The funny thing was that they had 4 to a room. In Otto's room it was 3 guys and a skinny Russian girl. She got angry that Otto got a rollaway bed since it took alot of space. She bolted to stay with friends and they never saw her again. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Dubey 1,035 Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 For only the second time in my 15+ years of going to Leafs games in Calgary, they won! Link to post Share on other sites
Babying 613 Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 For only the second time in my 15+ years of going to Leafs games in Calgary, they won! The cheering at the end was loud Link to post Share on other sites
Dubey 1,035 Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Yeah Leafs always have great fan support in Calgary Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 Thank you Kris Russell. Tied for second overall. Happy dance. Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted December 19, 2017 Author Share Posted December 19, 2017 Not a great day for Scott Darling. Tough to give up 8 goals in an NHL game without getting yanked. Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted December 31, 2017 Author Share Posted December 31, 2017 Been a Leafs fan for 37 years. But I don’t think I have ever been as excited to see a game live as I am today. The town is buzzing. Tons of Leafs fans here. Let’s win one 1 Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 Been a Leafs fan for 37 years. But I don’t think I have ever been as excited to see a game live as I am today. The town is buzzing. Tons of Leafs fans here. Let’s win one Biatch is using Vegas goalies today so lots of Leafs goals would be great. Link to post Share on other sites
Babying 613 Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 Been a Leafs fan for 37 years. But I don’t think I have ever been as excited to see a game live as I am today. The town is buzzing. Tons of Leafs fans here. Let’s win one They have been in town for an extra day. Let’s hope the party ended early. Plus Matthews is not legal Link to post Share on other sites
Babying 613 Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 There will be representation in Philly on Lindros jersey retirement night next week. Otto and I will be at the game. Flying in on the day and flying back the next morning. We are going with a good friend of ours who is a huge Lindros fan. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Dubey 1,035 Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 It's time to ask the question. Is Mike Babcock a bad coach? Link to post Share on other sites
Babying 613 Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 I have a friend of mine who can’t stand him. Keeps saying that he can’t handle young guys and loves his veterans. Also stubborn Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now