I may be an American, but the Leafs are my team of choice am therefore prohibited from rooting for Le Habs under any conditions by code.
A little trivia; 53 years ago, yesterday, Jacques first wore a mask in a game. Unfortunately that was two teeth and a number of scars too late for me. He gave the mask respectability. It was also fortunate because a couple years later those two Chicago goons came up with the curved stick. Then life really got miserable for us, the puck started diving and climbing, it was almost like handling a deflection on every shot. Also, I liked the security of the mask, false as it was, as I was "flopper." Gump was my role model.
I retired my flat skates in the early 70's. I made the mistake of going to a high school game to watch my nephews. I got the bug and again donned the pads and again, became a target. It only took a game to discover that everyone had adopted the curved stick and that some were very good with it. Also, a 17 or 18 year old kid is much faster than a 40 year old goalie. Off to the old timers league I went, no slap shots, a hard check was followed by "excuse me I trip on the blue line," and a high sticking was the result of some old codger losing his balance.
Finally, a friend informed me that one didn't have to play hockey in order to drink beer. What a revelation! Skates have been retired since the early 90's. I still have old teammates skating in the "Too Old Timers" leagues. One of them is nearly 80.
