Gotta see it: Joe Bowen's call on John Tavares' goal
It's not often you find a Leafs fan who doesn't love Joe Bowen. The legendary play by play commentator has been on the radio and TV with the Leafs for decades. I doubt there are many readers of this site that don't have memories of Joe Bowen howling "Holy Mackinaw" through their TV or over the radio waves. Personally, I'll never forget driving to and from my own games with my parents, listening to Joe call out names like Curtis Joseph, Mats Sundin and Darcy Tucker on the radio.
Joe Bowen's commentary is so electrifying and exciting that this iconic play call from game 6 of the Leafs 2002 series against the Senators was played in the Leafs dressing room after the game. Used by the late Pat Quinn as inspiration for the team. The Leafs would go on to win Game 7 3-0, ousting their division rivals.
Unfortunately Joe isn't on the TV broadcasts any more. The story, as I've heard it, is that the networks wanted him on TV, but wanted to replace his long time partner, Harry Neale. Mr Bowen refused, insisting that where he goes, Harry goes too. Joe sticking by his friend and the networks stubbornness have robbed us of his magical voice in our living rooms the past few years.
Sunday night's game against the Florida Panthers was a heated contest between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. With the Leafs trailing by a goal, Michael Bunting drew a penalty in front of the net, infuriating Panther's defenceman Radko Gudas into taking a dumb roughing penalty. On the ensuing powerplay, Mitch Marner fired a slapshot from the point, the rebound was coralled and buried by Leafs Captain John Tavares. That goal prompted an instant classic goal call from Bowen. Thanks to the twitter account @LeafsJelly, and the Youtube account LeafsJellyHD, the highlight is available for our viewing pleasure with Joe's radio call dubbed over it.
