Historic goal game-changer in fans’ minds
Unreserved affection greeted career No. 500
It was a game in which Mats Sundin took his flair for the dramatic to a new level.
With the Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames tied 4-4 on Oct. 14, 2006, and the Leafs shorthanded in overtime, the Toronto captain blasted a slapshot from the blue line past Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff and into the history books.
The goal didn’t just win the game: it was Sundin’s third goal and fourth point of the night.
It was also the 500th goal of his career.
Sundin’s teammates mobbed him in a manner usually seen after playoff game-winning goals. The goal sent the usually reserved Air Canada Centre crowd into an unbridled frenzy.
After the game, when he was awarded first-star honours, Sundin came out and skated briefly on the ACC ice, clapping his hands and beaming at the adoring crowd. It was a moment of unconditional affection from a fan base that, for a time, was reluctant to embrace Sundin as the Leafs’ captain and leader.
“It’s an achievement not many players have reached in this league and, once I’m retired, I’m going to appreciate it even more. I’ll remember this game for my whole life,” Sundin said afterward.
The goal was one of Sundin’s 15 regular-season overtime winners, tied for the most in NHL history. It has stuck in fans’ memories as one of his career-defining moments.