This will be my third Maple Leafs game attended this season. And what a team to see. The Chicago Blackhawks. An original six match-up that rarely happens. Every live game is good, but seeing one of these old Norris division rivalries makes the experience even better. My only beef so far, is that every game I have gone to, Raycroft has started. I want to see Toskala! What makes this game more exciting is the fact that I get to see a good young Canadian player in Jonathan Toews, and an up-and-coming American born player in Patrick Kane.

The game starts and the Leafs play sloppy. Sloppy play leads to goals, and guess what? Chicago scores at 4:13 of the first. But… it turns around. Chicago is on the power play starting at 5:48 of the first. The pass goes back to their defenceman, and he trips over the blueline! Sundin races, corrals the puck, and breaks away, shorthanded, towards Lalime. A little deke, and goal! Tie game! The Leafs continue to play well, and net Kaberle scores a goal at 17:08. Leafs are up 2-1 going into the second frame.

Not much happens in the second, except for 3 Leaf penalties and a fabulous backhand goal for Sundin’s second of the night.

So… the Maple Leafs are up 3-1 going into the third period. Is this a good lead for the win, or the same old story? You be the judge. The Leafs take 2 more penalties, for a total of 7 versus 1 for Chicago. Chicago comes out guns blazing, scoring at 1:04, 1:34 (30 seconds later!), 7:15 and 11:47. Kilger then saves some face for his club by scoring the Leafs fourth goal. Tuomo Ruutu adds an empty netter for the final nail in the coffin.

SAME OLD STORY.

This game started out well… and turned sour as soon as the third frame started. What is it with this team? Why can they not keep a lead? They seem to be sitting back, trying to DEFEND a lead, when we all know they can’t defend worth beans. Come on Paul Maurice, gets your troops in line or find a new squad to command.