Page 8 November 2008

SPORTS

Leafs from page 7

It was a seven game series hockey scholars will speak of for years. It was the first chance the Leafs had to reach the Stanley Cup finals since their last win in '67. Game one provided some news-worthy pieces as Mc- Sorley delivered a punishing open-ice hit on Gilmour, a hit Clark took exception to and went to defend his team's star player. Toronto's hot- tempered coach Pat Burns attempted to jump the bench, asserting Kings coach Barry

Melrose ordered the hit on

Gilmour. McSorley would later state he received dozens of death threats from bellig- erent Gilmour fans. Despite this}the series was 3-2 in fa- vour of the Leafs going into game six. In this infamous test of hockey might, with the game tied at four apiece, Gretzky clipped Gilmour in the face with his stick. No call was made against the hockey great, despite what many say was a direct attempt to injure

against ‘Killer,’ as Gilmour had been dubbed by Don Cherry. Gretzky would go on to score the game-winning goal, forcing the seventh and final game of the series. Gretzky, in what he called the best game of his career, would score a hat-trick in game seven, giving L.A. a chance at the Cup.

The Aftermath

The semi-final loss to the Kings begged questions all across the hockey world. Some viewed it .as an atroc- ity. Some said the penalty to Gretzky was ignored simply because it would be such a faux-pas to penalize the greatest name in hockey at such a critical point in the series. Leaf fans were sim- ply speechless. That series would be the closest the team would come to ending the drought in decades, and they never came that close again.

The past few years have become more and more dis-

Mixed results for men’s/

women’s hockey

Sport/Date

Women’s hockey Oct. 10 Women’s hockey Oct. 17 Women’s hockey Oct. 18 Men’s hockey Oct. 19 Women’s hockey Oct. 23

Home Visitor UPEI 3 Carleton 4 UPET 1 Dalhousie 10 UPEI 1 St. FX 5 UPEI 4 ~ UNB 3 UPEI 2 ~ Mt. Allison 4

appointing. The team has failed to break through the first couple of series in the playoffs, and that's the best case scenario.

In recent years, they've failed to even make the playoffs, and with their past being so illustrious, it has made them the butt of every hockey commentators joke. They've begun rebuilding. New management seems to inform the loyal fans that in a few years the Leafs will again be notching up wins in a gradual attempt to obtain past glories. They do have an incredibly young team this year. Some notable players. A captain question. But be- sides that the team is nothing special to say the least, but at least they’re on their way. Maybe some change in a few years. But until then, do we just wait?

Two Rugby Panthers named

AUS Ail-Stars

Two Rugby Panthers have earned themselves Atlantic University Sport’s All-Star awards.

Cassie MacKenzie and Kaitlin Richard earned the honour along with 13 other players from across the At- lantic region.

The team features five first- year students, while MacK- enzie and one other player

are the only players in their

fifth and final year. MacKenzie is from Corn- wall, Ont. and plays scrum half.

Richard is a third year stu- dent from Summerside and plays inside centre.

The Solution

One of the most interesting points about the Leafs over the years has been their in- ability to make it to the play- offs. Even more interesting than this, is how they per- form in the few months lead- ing up to the playoffs. After a myriad of embarrassments throughout the regular sea- son, the T.O. Leafs seem to be rejuvenated when playoffs are close. Suddenly, they be- come unbeatable, trouncing even the most fierce of com- petitors, instilling hope into Leaf fans. And then, hope is taken away as the Leafs miss the playoffs by only a couple games.

It's the perpetual disap- pointment that has alienated the hockey elite.

Here's the solution. Hyp- notize the entire Leaf team, coaches and all, to make

UPEI Cadre

them believe they are in a constant berth to the play- offs. Bear with me. Evident- ly, they work harder when they believe there is even the slightest chance they may make the playoffs. Ergo, if the team has this mentality all year long, they will be- come an unbeatable force. Coaches will tell the team, “Here we go, guys. We're still in this.” Players will give interviews telling the sports world how they'll fight to the end, and hopefully make the playoffs, even though it's only the first game. A re- newed dynasty. The greatest team to hit the ice since the 1967 Leafs.

If nothing else it will be hilarious. I know it seems irrational, maybe even a lit- tle crazy, but Leaf fans will agree. Something must be done.

UPEI picks up win against UNB, puts an end to UNB’s » winning streak |

The UPEI men’s soccer Pan- thers put an end to the Uni- versity of New Brunswick Reds undefeated season Oct. 18, shutting out the Reds 2-0 to put them within range for an AUS playoff spot.

The opening goal came 21 minutes into the first half when Paul Craig picked up

the ball to kick it in off the

inside cross bar.

Craig jumped on another - Opportunity a short time lat-

er, scoring his ninth goal of the season, placing him as the league leader.

The Reds went scoreless in

_ the first half after an impres-

sive defensive showing by the Panthers, who allowed no significant chances for the opposing team to register — a goal.

Keeper Rob Morrison was named UPEI’s player of the game. .

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