Two Years Ago Today: The Toskala-Davison Goal
by Dominik on Mar 18, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in Islanders of Yesteryear
14 comments
Vesa Toskala -- or "ToskaLOL" as he became known among Leafs fans who were all too happy to see him go -- has found some semblance of a new life on his third team this year. Last night he made 32 saves for his second win as countryman Miikka Kiprusoff's Calgary backup.
But two years ago today may have been the first big Toskalol moment -- a lapse in concentration (and some bad Coliseum bounces) that at the time seemed like simply bad luck for a decent goalie. The two miserable Leafy seasons that followed made it seem like something else.
It still hasn't gotten old, because it was just too remarkable, too funny. I love that it was scored by an anonymous player (Rob Davison). I love that it was scored not just from the Isles' own zone but from behind their goal line. I love that it was a shorthanded goal, too. And I love that, while often you hear a crowd's roar build in anticipation on a breakaway, this time you heard it build because the puck reached the Leafs' slot taking some suspiciously funny bounces. Some bounces that spelled trouble.
It was like watching a disturbed person walk down the street: Your senses heightened, an intuitive human instinct tells you something strange is about to happen. Watching that puck bounce in the slot, you knew it might do something crazy like put a hex on Vesa. Cue the goal horn.
The Leafs ended up winning that one 3-1, so no harm done. After Rick DiPietro's All-Star Game injury, the Islanders' playoff position faded, and they were 32-35-7 (71 pts. after 74 games) after this game, sitting in 13th place in the East and heading for the #5 slot in the draft (which they traded downward, twice, to pick Josh Bailey at #9). The Leafs were five points better (76 points) at that point, and ultimately traded up for the Isles' spot to draft Luke Schenn.
Today the Islanders have 67 points after 70 games, 12th in the East. Pretty similar spot as two seasons ago, but somehow it feels like things are pointed in a better direction. The Leafs meanwhile have 60 points in 70 games, sit 29th in the league and, well, their direction seems different today too.
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I could watch that goal a million times
and I would still find it hilarious.
Can you imagine if that happened in a playoff game? Would Toskala ever have been allowed re-entry to Canada?
2009 Did Not Happen
Man, if that happened in the playoffs at a critical moment, it would be hockey’s version of Buckner. And Steve Smith would understand. (about 1:00 mark).
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
that’s not all that bad, i didnt remember that one, 30 seconds left, just get to OT… oops
or worse, this guy celebrates after he scores
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
oh man, where to begin
Dom: I had never seen that Steve Smith video before – that’s awful. In a Game 7 no less! Amazing that a blunder like that is maybe the only thing standing between Edmonton and 5 consecutive Stanley Cup titles (obviously they would have had to win two more series, but they were the best team in the league). That video was also worthwhile for a reminder of the old school goalie pads, and for the insanely awesome facial hair the Calgary players were sporting. Gotta love the 80’s
And bob: I can’t stop laughing at that second video. I’ve seen guys score own goals before, or shoot into the wrong hoop in basketball, even run the wrong way in football – but they almost always recognize they’re messing up right away. I’ve never seen anyone celebrate it before. Hilarious.
2009 Did Not Happen
never seen anyone celebrate it before. Hilarious.
i think the eventual recognition—>regret/remorse that they captured in the footage as well is what makes it so classic
his stick goes up in celebration but he lets it limply slip from his hands and fall
but hey!, at least he wasn’t playing in the world cup for columbia
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
I haven’t seen either of those and they were both GREAT!
Dear Islanders:
WebBard wants me to be more positive about your chances of getting into the playoffs...soooo....please don't make me yell WHY again at the end of the season. I BEG YOU!
by metalcoconut on Mar 18, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
but hey!, at least he wasn’t playing in the world cup for columbia
It’s sad, but this is STILL how guys on my rec team respond to own goals. “Hey, bad news is you lost us the game. Good news is we have no Columbians.”
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Ahahahaha, that Backstrom one I remember well. The Japan one … speechless. How in the hell?!
Yeah, cj that Smith moment was unreal. I confess enjoying it a little too much at the time because it stopped the Oilers run, and pretty much ever since 1988 in retrospect because it did exactly what you mention. (By the way, in 1987 when the Oilers’ run resumed, Gretzky handed the Cup to Smith first.)
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Down Goes Brown
I’m seriously crying laughing here. People need to click on the “All Too Happy to see him go” link. I’m in tears, here’s a highlight.
Anyway, you may be gone, but we’ll always have the memories. For example, you once allowed a 185-foot dribbler to beat you in Long Island. Many physicists would argue that it’s impossible to get beat top corner by a puck that’s actually rolling, but you managed to prove them wrong. Then you outdid yourself this season in a game against the Sabres, when you managed to reach out with your glove hand and deflect a harmless dump-in straight into your own net. The goal was watched with disbelief by Leaf fans around the world, who until that moment had been unaware that you actually owned a glove hand.
I believe in 15-0-0, Lets do these Playoffs!
An epic take-down. I think he got some Finnish hate-mail for it but come on, it’s just plain hilarious.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
DGB is brilliant
“Don’t let the door handle slip untouched through your five-hole on the way out.” BWAHAHAHAHAHA
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
God
I miss hearing that “Hey, You Suck”
Fiya Minaya.
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey
|
82 | 48 | 27 | 7 | 103 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
82 | 47 | 28 | 7 | 101 |
|
Philadelphia
|
82 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 88 |
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New York Rangers
|
82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 87 |
|
New York Islanders
|
82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Wed 09/29 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Calgary
|
Wed 09/29 | 8:00 PM EDT |
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@
New Jersey
|
Fri 10/01 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
New Jersey
|
Sat 10/02 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Montreal
|
Sat 10/02 | 7:00 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
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Pittsburgh
|
Sun 04/11 | OT - L 5 - 6 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Sat 04/10 | L 1 - 7 |
|
@
Pittsburgh
|
Thu 04/08 | L 3 - 7 |
|
Montreal
|
Tue 04/06 | SO - W 4 - 3 |
|
Ottawa
|
Sat 04/03 | W 4 - 1 |
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