After the devastating loss to Buffalo, we needed a win. This game against the Panthers initially looked like it was going to make Leaf fans bury their heads in the proverbial sand. The Panthers pounced early, scoring 2 goals in the first period. The Leafs looked sloppy, but Toskala looked good.

The second period started with the Leafs needing a goal. Jason Blake stepped up and scored only 24 seconds in the frame. Cheers all around! The comeback is on! Play continues, the Panthers looking for another 2 goal cushion, and the Leafs play hard, looking for the equalizer. Our Maple Leafs win this battle with a goal at 6:49 by none other than the last game’s goat himself, Bryan McCabe. Instead of Leaf fans booing vehemently, we all cheer for Bryan, and the goal. This is a good example of how Leaf fans quickly turn, and turn back, on players in the dog house.

The game is tied going into the dreaded third period. Maybe this is the game we don’t give up. The play is fast and furious. Toskala is making great saves, and his counterpart, Craig Anderson, is playing well too. The third period is intense, and as Andy Frost announces the last minute of play in the third period, the game looks like it is going to overtime.

The clock says 33 seconds left… 32… 31… 30… a shot is fired at Anderson… 29… fat rebound!… 28, and goal! Antropov scoops up the rebounds and fires a hard shot into the back of the net! YES! Big Nik Antropov, the bane of Leaf fans for so long, continues his team best play and gets the game winner!

We didn’t give up in the third this game. The Leafs need to take lessons wherever they can, and this is as good as any.