Sundin writes perfect script in Toronto return

February 22, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Hockey Day In Canada is special enough.

That Mats Sundin wrote a perfect script io his much anticipated return to the hockey capital of Toronto by netting the shootout winner in Vancouver’s 3-2 win over the Leafs last night making it a successful return at Air Canada Centre.

“There’s been a buildup for this game,” an emotional Sundin later told the Canadian Press.

“All the battles and everything we’ve gone through over the last 13 years with the Leafs, so many ups and downs and disappointments and happiness. A lot of feelings came to mind on the ice.”

It was during the game’s first break that the Leaf organization paid tribute to their former leader resulting in an extended ovation with a taken back Sundin waving to the crowd blowing kisses before circling around before the next faceoff against former ‘mate Matt Stajan who let him have his moment waiting instead of stepping into the circle.

“It was his moment—obviously, I was going to sit back and let him enjoy it,” Stajan pointed out. “I wasn’t going into the faceoff circle before he did.

“He was doing a few spins, we were tapping our sticks, but I couldn’t see his face. And then I had to win the faceoff, it was a big one in the defensive zone. I won it and then he cross-checked me in the back.”

Said Sundin of the special moment:

“The ovation from the fans was very special. I’ll remember that the rest of my life.”

For 13 years, No.13 gave Maple Leaf fans plenty for the city of adoring fans to remember him eclipsing Darryl Sitler becoming the franchise scoring leader with 420 goals and 987 points. Acquired from Quebec for fan favorite Wendel Clark, Sundin led the Leafs to two Conference Final appearances falling short in 1999 to Buffalo and 2002 to Carolina.

Toronto also made the Conference Semis three other times including two memorable battles against the Devils in 2000 and 2001 with New Jersey prevailing eventually reaching the Cup Final winning it all in 2000.

Despite plenty of success including leading them to their first Division in 37 years (1999-00) and a club best 103 points in 2003-04 before the Flyers ousted them in Round Two, Sundin’s teams never could climb that final hurdle and deliver the franchise’s first Cup since 1967.

Following the lockout, Sundin never saw the playoffs again as the Leafs just weren’t nearly as good leading to speculation the club would trade him at last year’s deadline. However, per his request, Toronto was forced to keep him. Had Sundin agreed to a deal, the Leafs could’ve gotten a lot back for the franchise leader.

Instead, he wanted to finish out the final year of his contract with his team rather than becoming a playoff rental. Many criticized him for not doing what was best for Toronto because it would’ve helped immensely in their rebuild. However, the point lost on many is that Sundin showed loyalty staying for his final season rather than becoming another Ray Bourque.

I wonder what Greg Wyshynski thinks about that. The Puck Daddy blogger was fairly quick to rip Sundin but this is the same person who roots for the Devils and hated Bourque because he okayed a deal from his only club Boston to the Avalanche helping lead them back from 3-2 down past Wyshynski’s team for the franchise’s second Stanley Cup.

Of course, ESPN/ABC’s coverage had something to do with that but when it comes at the expense of your team, you’re going to be bitter.

What’s more loyal? Staying with your team or becoming a playoff rental raising the hardware elsewhere. It still looked funny for Bourque to lift the Cup with Colorado after having played the rest of his brilliant Hall of Fame career in Beantown. That he had his jersey retired by the Avs remains a joke to this day.

Many would argue that Sundin did what was best for him waiting before signing with the Canucks in late December. While this is true, he gave Toronto 13 years of which to remember him by giving his all while never really having the kind of team that could win a championship.

Ultimately, at age 38, he had to do what was best for him. Until recently, it looked like choosing the Canucks was a mistake with them struggling mightily. But Roberto Luongo has finally found his game and Sundin is now fitting in giving the club two scoring lines while teaming oddly enough with ex-Leaf teammate Kyle Wellwood.

Vancouver has climbed all the way to fifth in a crowded West. Assuming they get in, they’ll be a tough out. If they go far, figure Sundin to have some say in it.

No matter who you root for, last night in Toronto was special with Sundin going to his signature deke move going backhand top shelf to beat his former club.

That’s what makes hockey great.