Nope, Torontoist isn't referring to the classic movie series. With Halloween just around the corner, it's a different goalie mask creating this sequence of horrors. Although it may be Friday the 27th, the number 13 represents the total amount of goals Toronto Maple Leaf netminders - mainly Andrew Raycroft - have allowed to Ottawa Senator shooters this week. Even by factoring in his day off in between, Raycroft's goals against average over those 3 days... [continue]

After the Leafs out-performed Torontoist's pre-season predictions, the real deal gets underway tonight. Despite the 3-5 record over the past two and a half weeks, the team lost a pair against Ottawa, followed by a pair against Detroit (with the Red Wings playing their "B" squad against the Leafs top unit in the second of the two games) leading in to the start of the regular season. So will they turn it around tonight? The... [continue]

With all the personnel changes the Maple Leafs made this offseason, it appears little has infact changed on the ice. With the team opening their 2006-07 pre-season against the Buffalo Sabres at the ACC Monday night, it was the same old story for Mats Sundin's team. Excessive penalties, an inability to score, a bleeding Darcy Tucker, average goaltending and Bryan McCabe's goatee each contributed to a performance that was all too familiar to post-lockout Leaf... [continue]

With Torontoist's past two "sports" entries being titled "Toronto Bike Posts Both Strong and Vulnerable" and "We've Got a Thing 'bout The Post-and-Ring" (the first installment of the two-part series on our city's bike posts), the Adorable Sports Writer feels like it's time to re-capture the floor. And what better time for a comeback. Whether good or bad, not one of our city's pro teams has been without its fair share of headlines over the... [continue]

Matt Stajan was eight years old the last time Pat Quinn was considered to be the NHL's best coach. That's right... this season will mark fourteen years since Quinn was at the top of the game. So with the way things unfolded for the Maple Leafs and Team Canada this year, one might expect him to quietly disappear into retirement. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. Although Torontoist may not be a big... [continue]

The last time the Toronto Blue Jays touched post-season turf Jean Chretien was two days away from his first Majority Government, Aerosmith's Get a Grip was Billboard's #1 album and the Adorable Sports Writer was likely sporting an undershave. Sadly it's been one partially locked-out and ten full seasons since Joe Carter hit one of baseball's most memorable home runs. However during that span, some pretty decent teams have filled the Skydome/Rogers Centre's home dugout.... [continue]

With Chris Bosh spraining his finger just six minutes into the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks, it was Raptor rookie Charlie Villanueva who stepped in for the all-star forward. Villanueva scored an NBA rookie season-high 48 points on 20-for-32 shooting. Unfortunately the Raps came up short, losing 125-116 in overtime. Villanueva has been a welcomed addition for Toronto fans following all the turmoil the team has endured over the past couple... [continue]

The Toronto Blue Jays extended the length of their MVP's contract today, securing the services of Roy Halladay through the 2010 season. The 2003 Cy-Young award winner will be thirty-three years old when his 3-year, $40 Million extension expires. After a less productive 2004 campaign, Halladay looked to be well headed towards his second award in three years when a Kevin Mench line-drive ended his and essentially his team's 2005 seasons. With all the spending... [continue]

The Toronto Maple Leafs looked like a real team this past weekend. After a hard fought shootout loss to the New York Islanders on Friday, they went on to capture their third point in two nights, defeating the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 at the Air Canada Centre. After avoiding a trade deadline move this past Thursday, centreman Jason Allison played one of his best games as Leaf, scoring a pair of... [continue]

In a game that appeared to be heading towards the seventh inning mercy rule, the final innings turned out to be more of a nail-biter than earlier anticipated. For the second straight day, coach Ernie Whitt gave the ball to a Baltimore Orioles lefthander, and on Wednesday afternoon Adam Loewen didn't disappoint. While Loewen pitched nearly four scoreless innings, his teammates counted for seven runs, chasing 2005 Cy-Young finalist Dontrelle Willis from the game midway... [continue]

By merely parting with a fifth-round draft pick, John Ferguson Jr. made a strong statement today that his team is for real. The Maple Leafs General Manager acquired veteran defenseman Luke Richardson in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets this afternoon. Turning thirty-seven later this month, Richardson is expected to add his speed and youthful enthusiasm to a tired Leafs defense. For those of you who aren't familiar with the rugged blue liner, that... [continue]

Canada faced a tougher challenge than expected in their World Baseball Classic opener Tuesday evening. After giving up three runs during an eighth inning South African rally, Ernie Whitt's team found themselves heading to the ninth trailing by a run. Fortunately the team exploded, scoring four in their next series while creating some breathing room for Minnesota Twins Jesse Crain to close out the 11-8 victory. Former Blue Jay Corey Koskie homered for the Canadians.... [continue]

With the way Montreal Canadiens netminder Christobel Huet has been playing in 2006, it could be all but over for the Maple Leafs as the two teams face off at the ACC tonight. The second worst team since January 1st could have their dreams of a first round playoff exit ripped from their hearts if they come up short yet again this evening. The Leafs currently sit last place in the Northeast Division and are... [continue]

Hall of Fame outfielder Kirby Puckett died Monday afternoon following a stroke in his Arizona home this past Sunday. Puckett, who's face is synonymous with the Minnesota Twins franchise shared a special history with our city. It was during the 1991 American League Championship Series that Puckett showed Toronto just how good he actually was. Homering in games 4 and 5 at the Skydome, the Twins easily beat the Jays to advance to and win... [continue]

The same team of minds that confused you with a Scottish talking stick of gum have taken it an EXTRA step with their latest marketing initiative. Who exactly is winning with Quinn these days? After returning from an embarrassing Olympic defeat, Pat Quinn has led his Toronto Maple Leafs to three consecutive losses over the past week. The latest loss came at the hands of the provincial rival Ottawa Senators. The Senators and backup goalie... [continue]

After last night's closing ceremonies, Torontoist wonders if their Itallian cousins will know what to expect when they arrive in our county next summer. What is our national identity exactly?? Because as of today, the world is probably as confused as yours truely. Snow shoes, ice fishing and ice sculptures bred way for a performance by Avril Lavigne as the Olympic Flag was handed over to Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan. Interesting combination. Back from... [continue]

It's nothing new to see a Pat Quinn coached team struggle to make the playoffs, only to lose in an early elimination round. Nor is it uncommon for Todd Bertuzzi to take a selfish penalty in hopes to maintain his rough and tough image. So, is anyone really surprised that Team Canada lost in the Olympic quarterfinals, with the game winner coming while Sudbury's finest was in the box? Torontoist certainly wasn't. Just to remind... [continue]

The Canadian Olympic team had a strong finish to their first week of competition on Sunday. Cindy Klassen received her third medal of the games in the women's 1000m speed skating. Finishing four one-hundreths of a second behind the Netherlands Marianne Timmer, Klassen was awarded her second silver medal to go along with her bronze from last week's 500m competition. Along with Pierre Leuders and Lascalles Brown's 2-man bobsleigh silver, the Canadians finished the first... [continue]

This is a sight that has become equally as common as it is unfortunate this winter. People all over Toronto have abandoned their relationships with the Jester Toque. No longer is this light-hearted look there to put a smile on our face during those unfortunate downtimes. The entertainers of our city streets have sadly opted for more traditional styles to warm their heads this winter season. The benefits of this look went well beyond just... [continue]

Even the most hardened, macho, cynical, Valentine's Grinch couldn't refuse a heart-warming greeting from NBA MVP Steve Nash. The Canadian point guard is one of many Phoenix Suns players to be part of the organization's E-Greeting project. Unfortunately the Toronto Raptors or Maple Leafs don't offer a similar service through their websites. Who doesn't agree that a picture of Eric Lindros dressed as cupid would be absolutely adorable? Perhaps even match a bib to his... [continue]