Bungled play call leads to changes for colour commentators Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph
For the first time in 19 years, the Toronto Maple Leafs will play in a second round playoff series. Two games in Toronto, then off to Sunrise, Florida for 2 more on the road. This time, however, two people we know and love will be travelling with them.
The duo of Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph have long been the preferred commentary team of Leafs Nation. Joe's play calls have become iconic and the chemistry between he and Jim Ralph is incredible. You could hear the excitement in Bowen's voice when the puck crossed the line on Tavares' game 6 overtime winner. There was a problem, however. Tavares wasn't the name Bowen was yelling.
Before I go any further, I'd like to assure everyone that I do not blame Joe for this in any way, shape or form. For reasons unknown, the baffling decision was made that Bowen and Ralph would call the away games from back home in Toronto. This meant all they had to go on was the TV broadcast. When the goal went in, the camera focused on an elated Morgan Rielly. This, along with the chaos he caused in front of the Lightning net leading to the goal, led Bowen to believe it was Rielly who had scored the biggest Leafs goal in nearly two decades. Who could blame him either? Rielly had scored 3 massive goals for the team already in the series. It would have been just as fitting to have him score as it was Tavares.
Mercifully, the horrendous decision to keep Bowen and Ralph at home has been changed. A press release from MLSE announced that The Voice of the Maple Leafs will now travel with the team (on a separate charter), and call the action from inside the building. My honest belief is that had Bowen been in Amalie Arena, the call would have been right.
When asked for comment, Bowen chose to do what he's been doing for decades. He didn't make it about himself. Instead, he commented on what an amazing time it is for the Leafs and their fans.
