Tucker thrilled by new arrival
Rejoins Leafs after son’s birth ‘Something you can’t quite explain’
SUNRISE, FLA.—
It’s often that a child’s birth elicits laughter but there were chuckles all around when Cain Tucker entered the world Saturday night. “The nurse shouted out the time, 7: 05, and everyone started laughing,” proud father Darcy Tucker recounted yesterday, before returning to the lineup and scoring the opening goal of the Leafs’ 2- 1 win over the Panthers.
“ I couldn’t quite figure it out but they all knew that was the exact time the puck dropped so I guess I’ll have to get a stick in his hand as soon as possible.”
Tucker was in the lineup last night after missing two games awaiting the birth of his second son and third child. It’s a change from the days long ago when players wouldn’t be allowed to take off for such a family event and Tucker cherished every minute of it.
“ I slept at the hospital Saturday night which was great,” he said.
“ You sit there and stare at your son for hours on end. It’s an experience that you can’t tell anybody about, they’d have to have been through it. And if you’ve been through it you know exactly what I feel like. I’m excited, and excited to be back with the guys as well.”
“ To bring another life into the world is something you can’t quite explain.”
Father and son have even enjoyed their first Leafs-Canadiens game on Hockey Night in Canada together.
There was a television in wife Shannon’s hospital room and Tucker couldn’t help himself from taking a peek at Toronto’s OT win.
“ I got to watch most of the second and third period, which was nice,” he said. “ The boys were giving me a heart attack there at the end but it was nice to see they got the win in overtime.” KEEPING HIS CHIN UP:
When some players get demoted to the minors it erodes their confidence.
For Carlo Colaiacovo, it only served to harden his. The 22- year- old defenceman rejoined the Maple Leafs for last night’s game against the Panthers and there’s no doubt the NHL is where he feels he belongs.
“I’m confident enough with my abilities that I can play here. I think I’ve showed many times that I’m capable of it but those are the decisions that are made from higher above. I’m just a player who is coming and giving his best when I get the chance,” he said before the game.
“ I know my time will come.”
Leaf coach Pat Quinn agrees it is just a matter of time.
“ He didn’t make our team at the start because we didn’t believe he’d be one of the six. Some day along the way we believe he will be and it might be now,” said Quinn.