Entry FeedTonight we watched the Leafs versus the Canucks as a family. But I was torn - should I cheer for the Leafs or for Mats?
I am Toronto born and bred. And even though the Leafs haven't won Lord Stanley's Cup since before I was born, they are my team. The Leafs are like family for those of us in Toronto, and we often have a love/hate relationship with them, just like some relatives (not naming names here).
I love the Leafs; I am just not in love with them. Ya know? Mats Sundin, on the other hand, is like that boy in your high school class. A little on the scrawny side, he used to follow you around the halls. Then in grade eleven he got all tall and buff, and everyone was after him. You never realized how much you loved him until he came to you, professing his undying devotion, but telling you that his dad was just transferred to Vancouver and he was leaving.
Mats worked hard for us here in Toronto. I never used to watch hockey, until I met my husband, who loves the sport. At a cousin's wedding, when we were first dating, some young cousins posed with my then boyfriend for pictures, claiming he looked just like their favourite Toronto Leaf, Mats Sundin. That is when I fell in love with Mats.
When my husband I used to live at Yonge and Eglinton, you would sometimes see Mats dining out at Grazie. I had a friend who used to call me when she saw him, and I would always rush over, missing him. I've seen Doug Gilmour at Magoos, Tie Domi at Apache Burger, but Mats was always elusive.
As Mats lost his hair, I tried to convince my husband to shave his. No dice.
Tonight I was torn. Mats left us. I thought he wouldn't, but he did. When Mats teared up at his tribute, he had my heart. You couldn't have written a more storybook return for Mats to Toronto; the final shoot-out goal to win it!