YES! GO LEAFS GO!

I was AT THIS GAME. This is the first time I have ever gone to an opening night Leafs game. And what a game it was! The arena was electric. Harry Neale came out before the game to commemorate Joe Bowen’s 25th year as Maple Leafs play-by-play announcer. More memories to add to the bin. First game’s are definitely the best one’s to attend.

So… Raycroft gets the start, eh? Could have seen this coming. There are arguments on both sides.

For Raycroft: He played better in the pre-season. That’s about it, except for the fact that if Raycroft played well, and gets a few more games, his trade value may increase. They are reportedly been trying to unload him without any takers. If he plays well, SOME team out there could use him.

For Toskala: Yes, he crapped out in the pre-season. But Toskala himself says he doesn’t take the pre-season too seriously, and is shocked that the Maple Leafs fans do. HAHA! Welcome to Toronto! Toskala earns the money, and should be the starting goalie. The team didn’t award him a good payday only to play their incumbent goalie. And last but not least, we all know Toskala is better!

But Raycroft gets the start. Guess what? Raycroft was still Raycroft. He’s good, but not great. A couple of soft goals sealed the deal for Ottawa in Game 1. At least we got a point, putting us 1 point ahead of where we were last year after Game 1.

For the team: Wow! They actually played pretty well. Kaberle blew a defensive assignment resulting in the Sens first goal, but calmed down and played strong the rest of the way. The whole team was impressive; they skated strong and stayed with Ottawa, and their passing was very crisp. Antropov scores twice… is this the year for him to break through?

All this being said, the Leafs were the Leafs and broke down for 1 minute in two different places. This is where Raycroft needs to steal the game. But, he doesn’t, and the Leafs are 0-0-1.

Toskala tomorrow, we’ll see who is the real number 1.