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What was your most anticipated opening game ever?

H

Heroic Shrimp

New member
Every season opener brings some excitement and anticipation, some years more than others.  Which year brought the most excitement for you?  1993, after the big playoff run and during the baseball playoffs?  Cujo's first game?  Mogilny's?  Uh, Jason Blake...?  ???  I need some memories to get me pumped for tomorrow, so bring 'em!
 
03-04 was a pretty good one. Adding Nieuwendyk, starting the year with Nolan, bringing in young players like Poni and Stajan and having guys like Antro and Kabs coming off of career years made for what I still think was the best Leafs team of the Quinn era.
 
The training camp after the 04-05 lockout was a big one for me. I was always a Lindros fan, and thought he, Sundin, and Allison down the middle could have really been something. Also a bit of hype surrounding players like O'Neil, Khavanov and Czerkawski.

And then the season started.
 
92-93 when pat burns walked into town. Stavro in control. The arrival of fletcher. Ballard in the ground. It was like when the wind changes direction at the start of Mary poppins. Who knew how good it was going to get though.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
The training camp after the 04-05 lockout was a big one for me. I was always a Lindros fan, and thought he, Sundin, and Allison down the middle could have really been something. Also a bit of hype surrounding players like O'Neil, Khavanov and Czerkawski.

And then the season started.
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Who would have thought the next decade would have been as bad as it was.
 
Probably 93-94 and 02-03, Leafs had some serious playoff movement the previous seasons, I'd say Belfour probably tips it for me though in terms of 'anticipation'.
 
Every single one, I always feel like a kid at Christmas as opening day nears, that renewed sense of hope that a clean slate brings.

Go Leafs Go

Oh and with this group in particular...if the team that played the last game against Detroit (without our first line essentially) can show up more nights than not, then we might actually be onto something.

 
Patrick said:
Every single one, I always feel like a kid at Christmas as opening day nears, that renewed sense of hope that a clean slate brings.

Go Leafs Go

Oh and with this group in particular...if the team that played the last game against Detroit (without our first line essentially) can show up more nights than not, then we might actually be onto something.
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Destruction of those dirty "Habs"
 
JohnK's Revenge said:
92-93 when pat burns walked into town. Stavro in control. The arrival of fletcher. Ballard in the ground. It was like when the wind changes direction at the start of Mary poppins. Who knew how good it was going to get though.
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This right here.  The Pat Burns era, Clark in his prime, Gilmour beasting.  Those were the most anticipated opening seasons for me. 
 
I'd say each opening game has pretty much come with the same anticipation.  The fact hockey is back always brings an excitement, no matter how good or bad the team is, as each team starts with a clean slate and anything could happen when the games are played.
 
Peter D. said:
I'd say each opening game has pretty much come with the same anticipation.  The fact hockey is back always brings an excitement, no matter how good or bad the team is, as each team starts with a clean slate and anything could happen when the games are played.
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Agreed. Go leafs GO
 
JohnK's Revenge said:
92-93 when pat burns walked into town. Stavro in control. The arrival of fletcher. Ballard in the ground. It was like when the wind changes direction at the start of Mary poppins. Who knew how good it was going to get though.
Click to expand...

In this case, the wind changing direction was just the cyclone of lost hope starting to wind up.

I'm with RedLeaf, tonight is the most anticipated opening for me!  *fingers crossed*
 
Was thinking about this - probably October 5, 1996.  Was my first Leafs game, in the golds, at Maple Leaf Gardens.  4-1 win over Anaheim.  Goal and an assist for Wendel Clark and 29 saves for Potvin.  :D  Still have the ticket stub!
 
Potvin29 said:
Was thinking about this - probably October 5, 1996.  Was my first Leafs game, in the golds, at Maple Leaf Gardens.  4-1 win over Anaheim.  Goal and an assist for Wendel Clark and 29 saves for Potvin.  :D  Still have the ticket stub!
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Thanks.  Now I don't know if the 29 in your name is for his number or for the number of saves he made that night.  I hate being perplexed.
 
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