By HOWARD BERGERCHICAGO (Feb. 29) – There was no evidence of the Maple Leafs at the United Center this morning, and fans of the reeling club are likely fearful the same could apply after 8 o’clock tonight.Having chartered … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERCHICAGO (Feb. 29) – Since the early part of my career in radio, I have refused to advocate a person losing his job. If others wish to do so, that’s fine – there’s no right or wrong, … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Feb. 26) – Trying to imagine the raw disappointment coursing through Brian Burke right now is no simple task.As recently as 19 nights ago, it appeared the Leafs’ general manager had finally assembled a playoff-worthy … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Feb. 24) – In the days of wooden hockey sticks, we might have suggested the Maple Leafs were squeezing sawdust out of their lumber during much of Thursday night’s visit to the Air Canada Centre by … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Feb. 20) – If it were up to others, Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke would pull the trigger on a significant deal before the NHL trade deadline to:a) Transform his slumping team into an … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERVANCOUVER (Feb. 19) – If it weren’t so utterly predictable, it might be appropriate to express alarm over the Maple Leafs total capitulation at Rogers Arena on Saturday.But, why waste our time?Even the most rabid … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERVANCOUVER (Feb. 18) – Last Saturday is already a wonderful memory: Mats Sundin and his family watching from centre-ice at the Air Canada Centre as a banner honoring the Leafs all-time scoring leader ascended to its rightful … Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
VANCOUVER (Feb. 18) – Achievement in professional sport is all about perspective – a rather extreme correlation when considering the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks, opponents at Rogers Arena here late Saturday afternoon.
The disparity in… Read More
By HOWARD BERGERVANCOUVER (Feb. 17) – Can it possibly be 24 months since the Winter Olympic Games of 2010 were dominating every inch of this city and surrounding area?I can remember when two years had commensurate value in … Read More
By HOWARD BERGEREDMONTON (Feb. 16) – You could almost hear the sigh of relief across the endless miles of Prairie between southern Ontario and northern Alberta.When Tim Connolly scored in overtime – Tim Connolly… remember him? – … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERCALGARY (Feb. 15) – It is hardly uncommon for a coach to accentuate the positive, even when the negative is overwhelming. As such, we had Ron Wilson extolling his team for directing 42 shots at Miikka Kiprusoff … Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
CALGARY (Feb. 14) – We begin by wishing all those in love a happy Valentine’s Day; all those looking for love the perfect partner in 2012, and my adorable daughter, Lauren, a happy, wonderful 12th birthday.
It’s… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
CALGARY (Feb. 14) – Having arrived here amid snow-flurries that progressed into a mini-blizzard on Monday afternoon, I’m looking forward to covering the Maple Leafs annual western-Canada road trip for this corner and the National Post.… Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Feb. 12) – The irony of the situation began to take hold midway through the second period, when it was all but certain the Maple Leafs had nothing on a night that meant everything. My memory … Read More
***I WROTE THIS BLOG BACK IN FEBRUARY, ON THE EVE OF MATS SUNDIN HAVING HIS NO. 13 BANNER RAISED AT THE AIR CANADA CENTRE. CORRECTION: MAKE THAT “HALL-OF-FAMER” MATS SUNDIN***
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Feb. 10) – There is no … Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
WINNIPEG (Feb. 8th) – It took the law of averages; uncommon travel, and bit less determination than we’ve noticed recently for the Maple Leafs to lose their first game in regulation time since Jan. 21.
A 5-0-1… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
WINNIPEG (Feb. 7) – In this week of epic sports wagering, just imagine – for a moment – the windfall any of us could have collected had we placed a ridiculous bet the last time the Toronto… Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Feb. 6) – From the outside, the new Maple Leaf Gardens is almost identical to the building that served as home of the Leafs from 1931 to 1999. On the inside – at least, pertaining to … Read More
Is The Herd Coming Around?
Pressure Mounting On The Leafs
Babcock Needs a Quick Start
Puzzling Leaps of Faith
Offer–Sheet All About Timing
Nylander Trade Too Logical
Columbus Dancing With Mitch
Was It Worth Our Prostitution?
Will Marner Follow Kawhi?
Leafs Going For a Three–Peat
Kadri Trade Good… and Bad
Trusted Back–Up Imperative
Too Much Emphasis on Forwards
Call it “Burkie’s Drive”
McCown The Biggest Casualty
Not Bigger, Just Smarter
We The Longest
Kadri For Trouba Intriguing
The Leafs Will Stand Alone
It’s Not About One Playoff Round
Why Even Go There?
End of An Era in Oakland
“I Was Gretzky… For A Day”
The Sound of Silence
Still Not Convinced
Was It The Leafs’ Biggest Gaffe?
Again — Why Not Rick?
A Big Moment… But How Big?
Flag Waving Has Started Early
The Laughable Maple Leafs
Talking Mike Babcock
Sittler, Kelly and Pyramid Power
It’s That Date Again
So, What Now, Leafs Nation?
Overkill Like We’ve Never Seen