Toronto Mike'd: The Official Toronto Mike Podcast - Chantal Kreviazuk's O Canada and Canada's Victory Over USA Analysis: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1636

Episode Date: February 21, 2025

In this 1636th episode of Toronto Mike'd, Mike chats about Canada's 2025 4 Nations Face-Off victory over the USA with Gare Joyce, Rob Del Mundo, Kanada Kev, Heyref, VP of Salez and Elvis. Toronto Mike'd is proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery, Palma Pasta, Ridley Funeral Home, and RecycleMyElectronics.ca. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Toronto Mike at [e-mail]

I thought you were upstairs. Didn't I say quite on the set? Shut up. Okay, here we go. Here we go. Let me go. Do you have a prediction? What will the score be tomorrow night when Canada faces USA for hockey supremacy in Boston? 3-2 Canada. Welcome to episode 1636 of Toronto Miked, proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery,

a fiercely independent craft brewery who believes in supporting communities, good times and brewing amazing beer. Order online for free local home delivery in the GTA. Palma Pasta. Enjoy the taste of fresh, homemade Italian pasta and entrees from Palma Pasta in Mississauga and Oakville. RecycleMyElectronics.ca. Committing to our planet's future means properly recycling our electronics of the past.

Building Toronto's Skyline, a podcast and book from Nick Aynes sponsored by Fusion Corp, Construction Management Inc. and Ridley Funeral Home, pillars of the community since 1921. My original guest today was singer, writer, historian, and storyteller Christine Maitland and she was confirmed for 11am this morning but apparently there was a miscommunication and she tells me she wrote me to say she can't make it because of a conflict and she thought my lack of response was because I was pissed at her regardless she's not here so here's who I have with me because I need to talk about last night.

I need to talk about the anthem by FOTM Chantal Kreviashchuk. I need to talk about the game. I need to talk about what it all means. So joining me in the studio, I can reach out and just rough up his hair over here. Yeah, I just gave him a high five, everybody. That's the VP of sales. I got Tyler Campbell here. Hello. That's the pipes that belong to the VP. But joining me via Zoom are

a couple of special guests. Rob Del Mundo is a beloved FOTM. Say hello, Rob. Hey, Mike. Thanks for having me and good to be on board again. It's good to see you, big guy. And also, all the way from North Oshawa, my co-host for Festivus, the man you saw at TMLX17 at Palmer's Kitchen just in late November, Elvis is here. Say hello, Elvis. Elvis Nye- I'm here under duress. Robert Leonard So Elvis, you don't have much time. So I'm going to get to it. I'm going to play some audio.

I'm going to, I'm going to, okay, we actually have the man I know as Hayref. He's gonna join us. He's joining us in progress. I have an open Zoom and I threw it into the FOTM chat. So I don't know who's gonna join us. I'm glad you're here, Rob. I'm glad you're here, Elvis. I'm glad Hayref is here.

He knows his hockey. I'm gonna play some audio. I'm gonna tell you how I feel about it. And then we'll go straight to Elvis because he only has 10 minutes. We'll get his take on the anthem, and then everyone who sticks around, VP has to be here, he's in the basement. We're gonna talk about the game and more. So let's listen to this audio from last night. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The true North strong and free. From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. Okay, gentlemen, I'm going to give you my take on this here, and then I'm going to hear We stand on guard for thee.

Okay, gentlemen, I'm going to give you my take on this here, and then I'm going to hear what Elvis has to say, and then we'll have a conversation with whoever is left. When I initially heard this anthem from Chantal Kraviyajic, initially I thought, what song was that exactly? Because right off the top she butchers the French line off the top. We all know the French line off the top and she gets it wrong and then she changes the words. It's almost like she forgot the words. Did she mess up the words and then the tune changes on you

when she breaks into True North Strong and Free. So there were these three things early in that anthem that kind of throw you off. Like, what's she doing? Like, what's going on? So initially I'm like, what the hell was that? And then you sort of hear from her and you simmers with you. So here's what I want to say. And then I want to hear from Elvis and everybody else, but I'm going to give her a pass. It's a, she's not a French speaker.

She's from Winnipeg. Okay. She butchered that French line because she's a human being who messed up in a big moment and she's probably nervous about what she's about to do because written on her hand are the words that only us command. So she comes out of the gate with the broken French and I'm going to give her the past human being human error. But then she changes that lyric because she's making a statement on this big stage.

She's making a statement that only us command. Canada is a sovereign nation, an independent nation. Canada belongs to Canadians. Donald Trump, get the fuck out of here. She's making this statement on a big stage. So I kind of like the fact she did something because Gretzky and everybody else, they're saying nothing. And here's a woman who's saying something and I got mad respect for that. And then the tune change as I review the audio is basically she wants

to bring out to the forefront the words true North strong and free. Okay. She's emphasizing Canada is a free country. We're not the 51st state. That's not open for discussion. So this is a woman, a talented woman who I spent, you know, yes, everybody knows I spent some time with her. I witnessed her last summer defend a postal employee from a road rager. She got in the line of fire and protected this woman and I witnessed it with my own eyes. So I bring bias to the table, but I'm just glad she had the courage to say something when so few are saying anything. So many are saying absolutely nothing. Elvis, I'm going to you first before you leave the zoom. What did you think of Chantal's anthem last night?

So before I say what I'm going to say, lest anyone think that I have a problem with her changing the lyrics, I actually have no problem with that. However, there's a big difference between what she did and what Julie Black did at the I think was a Raptor game when she changed the lyric to to our home on native land as a form of protest as it relates to the residential school scandal here in Canada. The big difference between those two anthems is that she actually was able to sing the anthem. Chantelle's a professional singer last time I checked, and regardless of what you think of her shitty songs, and she just couldn't carry a tune,

she couldn't sing a song. She was an embarrassment. It was a world stage game. Everything was riding on this from a, from the perspective of Canadians wanting to beat the Americans. I'm fine with her making a political statement if she wants to choose that, but she lost the, she lost any sort of significance or meaning when she completely butchered the anthem it's not first of all it's not a song it's an anthem and two like just sing the fucking anthem like she didn't even get it right even if she didn't change the words it was horrible it was brutal just embarrassing and uh typical of that particular family because they're just a bunch of

boneheads. All right, Elvis, tell us how you really feel. Okay, don't hold back this time. I can't wait, get her on, get her on here. And let's have her explain what went through her head to try and imagine that this was, you know, you know what I actually would have even appreciated more so other people have made this excuse for her, which I can actually kind of buy, but I didn't hear her make this excuse. And maybe it wasn't an issue, but it was

incredibly loud. She probably couldn't hear herself and you probably don't like to sing in front of a whole bunch of people who are booing you. Totally get that. If she just came out and said, I got flustered because, you know, Bostonians were all over me, I could appreciate that. But man, she blew it, totally blew it. But you do know because you, I know you Elvis, you don't miss the Toronto Mike episode. You heard her on Toronto Mike. She broke into song several times.

And I'm glad Rob Del Mundo's on the Zoom because there's a big fan, but she can sing. You know that, you know she's a great singer she's a professional singer yes you weren't you weren't booing her when she was singing i would no i wasn't well i mean yes no me and her in the basement so i'm going to read a statement from chantel and then i want to hear from uh vp and rob del mundo and then we're going to get back to you elvis uh please give me like a 60 second warning before you tap out of the zoom here but I'm these are Chantel's words okay. I am sorry if my performance of our national anthem rubbed you the

wrong way. If I was a little off pitch or if it wasn't perfect in its tone I am sorry if I messed up the French line I inserted to bring some balance to our nation's history without losing those words, glorious and free, in English. I am sorry if you think that we'd be better off annexed. Here is the thing. Art to me is an expression of our truth, and in this very peculiar and potentially consequential moment, I truly believe that we must stand up, use our voices, and

try to protect ourselves. No, we should express our outrage in the face of any abuses of power. I was raised in part by music that was inspired by brave voices committed to peaceful conflict resolution. Canada, not unlike Ukraine, is a sovereign nation. Period. We is a sovereign nation, period. We have a culture individual to others. We are united in our values. We care. We're kind.

We are strong. Rob Delmondo, what did you think of Chantel's anthem last night? Yeah, so to echo the point, it's not too much different from what Elvis was saying. I mean, the different, the key difference is I'm a huge fan of her music and, of course, he's not and that's fine. We all like what we like, right? But in terms of the performance, yeah, as soon as she butchered the first French word, as you were saying, I think you said in the chat, my eight-year-old. Yeah, my eight-year-old's in French immersion and she knows that's not how it goes. Recognize that right away. So as much as of a fan as I have over music, I've seen her eight or ten times in concert. She called me by my first

name at the most recent meet and greet, but I cannot defend the performance of the anthem. And just in terms of the, and especially the key change, like I mean, and free, like I mean, I know she's trying to extend. She was trying to emphasize that line. So she did, you know, change the tune for that line to kind of bring it to the forefront so the Americans in attendance can hear it. Yeah, I'm just a big proponent of as Elvis was saying, just seeing the song. This isn't the first instance. My Twitter feed, in my own personal feed, is flooded with me just being the vocal critic

at home on my couch to anybody. Like, forget about last night, to anybody. Just sing the song. And the biggest example I can relate is I know a lot of people were Martina fans, the old Maple Leaf Anthem singer before Natalie Morris, but and she would always change the key to O Canada on the third verse. And that would drive me crazy. And I'd get my Twitter response and comments 50 50 split half of the people

saying, yeah, way to go, Rob. And the other, the other half, including PA announcer, uh, Mike Ross, good friend. But it will come after me Twitter said, Rob, why do you have to pick on a 16 year old, I'm not picking on a 16 year old girls like if she's going to change the key, I'm going to make my opinion about that. So you're like, it's the anthem, sing it like it's supposed to be some size. I got 60 seconds, Mike. I'll just say I'll just say one thing. Listen, I don't like I probably shouldn't have said that their family is stupid.

It sounds like that's a rain made a shot? It is a rain made a shot. I'll take that. But I will say I don't appreciate. So I will also walk back. What I said about her, she did seem to kind of address, you know, the the crowd noise and whatnot. OK, fine. I appreciate that. But I think it's incredibly disingenuous for her to equate me saying or us people saying that

the performance was poor to therefore us wanting to be annexed by the United States. Like come on, you're like who's the victim here? You're right. That's a little ridiculous. So Elvis, for the record, before you go, do you want Canada to become the 51st state? Absolutely. Of course not. Of course not.

Why would I be so upset about this? Why would that happen? I mean, let's see, you know, just insane. So, thank you for getting that on the record. Chantel, all the best to you in your career and your future and I have no personal hard feelings against you, although it may sound like it, but hey, as a fan who was watching on TV, I have every right to say that the performance

sucked and it did. And you know, all the best. Elvis, I can't wait to see you on June 26th at TMLX 18 at Great Lakes Brewery. Will you confirm again on the record, will you be in attendance from 6 to 9 p.m. that night? It's my mom's birthday, so I'll have to see what- Oh, bring her. Yeah.

It's also my dad's birthday. Bring, let's get them both here. My mom and your dad could go on a date while I go to MLX. All right, goodbye to Elvis. I'll see you on Festivus. Can't wait for the hate mail. Bye, Elvis. Bye.

Don't send us this content, by the way. So Rob, before I get the VP and then we're going to bring Hey Ref in, don't you think it's a good thing that Chantal did something when, I don't know about you, but I'm starving for somebody to say something. Like I'm not hearing anything. Gretzky's there, he's not even wearing a fucking Canadian jersey. Like he's in a suit. Meanwhile, the American guy from the Miracle on Ice team is wearing the Goudreau jersey, the American, you know, red, white and blue. Aren't you kind of on some level glad that he tried something which is better than nothing at this point?

On some level and exactly. And even as we were talking here, I didn't even equate the comparison to like 99 Not will payment but the other guy who's like sitting in his ass and not doing anything You know, so I didn't even think about it in that context But yes, so means while while generally I don't like anthems being used for like I mean your own Canadian Idol or American Idol audition or to like make a statement I just prefer to sing the song. If I were to make an exception, then yes, absolutely.

It would be to differentiate yourself from Wayne Gretzky and people who are just sitting on their ass and just saying, hey, Mr. 51, sorry, 47, 51st state, 47th president, who shall remain nameless. Like, no, it's not happening. So I'm glad that she took it upon, like, and again, to differentiate between the actual performance, the performance sucked, but the message, absolutely.

I agree, of course, 100%. And if not now, when? I'm gonna hear those wonderful pipes to my left. They belong to the VP of sales. We'll be seeing him back for FOTM cast on April Fool's Day. He'll be joined by Cam Gordon. I can't wait for that. VP of Sales, what did you think of

Chantelle's anthem last night? Yeah, like you, I think, on when I was first hearing it, it was rough. You know, she was off key, getting the lyrics wrong. I think, you know, once once it started to filter out, I think you had posted in the chat the shot from her Instagram of the words on her hand and then it started to sink in. Okay, she was actually making a statement. Right. I don't think the message or I don't think the

delivery of the message has to be perfect in order for it to make an impact. It was a rough performance as she acknowledged in her own statement. But to your point, she did something. She spoke up on a very large platform in front of a hostile crowd, and I give her a lot of respect for that. If you want to look at the real embarrassment

of last night, I think it's Gretzky. 100%. He's, he for years was regarded as Canadian royalty. You know, you look back to the 2002 Olympics when he was the GM of the team, and he gave that sort of impassioned speech when the Canadian team was having a rough start to the tournament that I think played a big role in them turning it around.

And so he's been a cheerleader for Canada for years, but he's obviously, you know, gone another way. And it's disappointing to say the least. And you know, it was less than inspiring to have him come out and sort of give a half-hearted thumbs up. And you made a point on the not so secret FOTM chat last night, and I agree with you 100%, that in your life, did you ever think there'd be a moment

where before maybe the biggest game of our life, Canada versus US for hockey supremacy, you see the great one as the ambassador for Canada, and not only are you not happy to see him, you're booing him from the living room. Yeah. It's so disappointing just to just to see his stupid face. Yeah. Like, I just want to like go back in time and tell young Mike, uh, you know, don't don't consider this man a hero. He's just a very good, very good, the best hockey player of all time. Let's face it, but he's a great hockey player and it turns out he'd sell you out on a heartbeat. Yeah. I think you got to start talking

about him being the best hockey player of his era. Okay, so let me introduce that voice because they're going to think, oh, that's Hayref. But I can see Hayref on the zoom taking a very important phone call. Like he's actively, he's closing a deal. Who knows? He's an accountant. So who knows what's going on? But that voice, that's Canada Kev. Canada Kev, you smoking right now? What's going on there? You got a bowl going? No, no, not indoors.

Everything's fine for now, but yeah, I had plenty last night and enjoyed it to the fullest. So let's hear your take. What a fucking game. Okay, we're gonna, we are gonna talk about the game. Okay, I promise. We're gonna talk about the game. So the VP just- Yeah, I know it's hear your take. What a fucking game. Okay, we're gonna, we are gonna talk about the game, okay? I promise. We're gonna talk about the game. So the VP just... Yeah, I know it's about the anthem.

But the VP just cracked open a hop pop because the guest I thought was joining me in the basement, I read on Blue Sky that she doesn't drink. So I took the effort to get some cold hop pops, which have no alcohol, and she's not here. But Canada Kev, what did you think of, what did you think of Chantel's anthem last night? I mean, it was obviously extremely rough. She performed it. I, I know for singers like that, if they can't hear themselves, it can be really hard to pull off a good performance. And, you know, being in the enemy territory and stuff too. And I mean, she did, she got a point across, but I think it got made afterwards, right? Like everybody's learning about it now, but may not be effective in the moment. Cause everybody was like, what the fuck just happened? Right? Did she change the words? Why? What's going on? But then, you know, get on with the game.

Don't need that distraction at the moment. But then afterwards I'm like, yeah, I'm really proud that you did that. I think that's kind of cool. I think it's kind of cool too. But I do wish, you know, we could go back and give her a redo because butchering that first line in French, you kind of kind of get your backup right away, right? Like it's like, oh, because I don't speak French. I don't even know what I'm saying, but I know, oh, Canada, Terugia no Sayo. Like I've got this like implanted in my brain from grade school or whatever.

And then when she does it wrong, you're like, oh, and now you're braced for whatever. And then there's different words and you're wondering, did she forget the words? In real time, you're right. It's like after the fact. Because initially I was like, what the fuck? And then as time went on, I'm like,

I'm glad she did something. Hey ref, what was that call, man? You had a deal to close? What was going on with that phone call? Yeah, I had a client call me. I know it's hard to believe, but you know, I got to make another thing too, Mike, you know? When are you going to sponsor Toronto Mike?

You know, the Hayref accounting services. Unfortunately, my moniker, the Hayref moniker really fits this conversation because I saw almost none of last night's game. I was actually refereeing from 6 p.m. until just before 11 p.m. So I saw I had the overtime on as I was driving home, but I was actually driving on the 400, so I was really not watching the game much. I heard what happened.

I think they scored just as I was getting home, and obviously happy about the result, but I really, unfortunately, I'm the one Canadian hockey fan who didn't watch the game. You know? Do you have,, have you heard the anthem on, I don't know, social media or YouTube or something? I heard about the anthem. I certainly, I heard your, your, uh, commentary and I heard all of this

commentary, I don't know, I sort of feel conflicted in that. I mean, number one is I like her and I like her because I saw her on your show. I thought that was a fantastic Hall of Fame worthy episode. And I do think she has a very nice voice. And I guess I'm sort of allowing her to butcher the anthem because I liked her message. Yeah. And so I sort of give her a bit of a pass and then maybe that's maybe that's a little bit hypocritical of me in that I'm I'm doing it sort of I know that's that's the way that but that's the way I feel like, you know,

I don't know whether I liked I don't know whether I supported Julie Black's thing back in the day and so I sort of feel like perhaps I'm a little hypocritical in allowing Chantel that creative expression and not so much Julie Black, but that's what I'm feeling. Well, thank you for sharing. We're on similar sentiments, which is like I wish she had nailed it because I know she is a great singer and I have a lot of respect for her because of the same reason, which is I spent time with her that you watched. And again, afterwards I saw her like Superman or something. She saw a postal woman in distress and she just ran to the scene and protected her from

a road rager. And I witnessed all that, took a little video. But I have a lot of time for her, a lot of respect for her. I think she's extremely talented. She's a great singer. And I think her heart was in the right place last night. And I liked what Julie Black said too. Like I think if your message, if it's an appropriate message, I'm okay. You know, I'm not clutching my pearls saying, you know, don't change that anthem.

Like I think, I think that it's better to try and do something last night in front of that crowd than to do nothing like the formerly known as the great one and we should lose that moniker. So do you want to talk about the game? Yeah. Okay. Let's start with you VP because you're loud and proud in the TMDS studio. What the heck did you think of that hockey game? What a game that was? Definitely one of the more exciting games I've ever seen You know I don't know if I can put it on par with like the 2010 Olympics or the 2002 Olympics Just because of the the length of that tournament and and there are more countries involved obviously

How come you're skipping 2014? Yeah 2014 2014 was good. 2014 was kind of a- You know why? Because the gold medal game was not close. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Both of those 2002, 2010, they were both legendary nail biter games, as was last night.

And you felt like both teams were in it. You knew right from the start that it was just going to be a tooth and nail grind. And it certainly was and worried when Canada goes down two to one. Right. And you're worried about the goal pending, right? Yeah, Bennington had been a little rough, like he was a little shaky in a couple of the earlier games.

But he made some just incredible saves in overtime and just he saved them. Like without him They're they're nowhere Yeah, I want to hear rob rob del mundo for those who haven't heard his two episodes of toronto mike This man covers hockey for a living. Okay, so hey ref is a referee of hockey. He knows his hockey Rob del mundo, man. This guy's a scribe. Okay, so I and then well The great canada kev has uh great opinions on everything great great canadian Rob Del Mundo, man, this guy's a scribe. Okay, so I, and then, well, the great Canada Kev has great opinions on everything, great Canadian.

But I'll just say about Jordan Binnington, I was really worried about him the whole tournament. And I thought, oh God, like, I need him to be like he was when he won that Stanley Cup of St. Louis. And in overtime, he made a few saves. I went to the floor, I dropped to the floor, and I just wanna give mad love to this guy who showed up when it mattered most. He saved our Canadian bacon. What do you think, Rob?

Yeah, I mean in the overtime, I think it was the one Brady Kachuk off to the side. I thought it was over. And then he stopped Matthews, I think, on three separate occasions. And I'm already, because in the group chat, when Cam scheduled that unauthorized meetup Imperial schedule for tomorrow night, I responded in the chat, this was in January, I predict Matthews to score the win over time. I was like in January, okay well if that happens and United States wins but then at least I'd have that feather in my cap but no. All kidding aside. Well for those who don't know though because most listeners aren't in the WhatsApp chat right so but we should point out that Cam Gordon did schedule and not a TMLX event okay

so Michael Lang didn't have to be there okay but it was like a gathering at the Imperial pub on February 20th like that evening and I said to him I'm very clear I said listen if Canada makes the final and you know this close because Sweden won that game in regulation like if we go to overtime and beat the Finns we're not in that final game right but I said if Canada makes the finals, respectfully, I will not be at the Imperial pub because I have a 10 year old who I promise can stay up for the game. And I ain't bringing him to the Imperial pub at 1130 during the

game. So yeah, we had to put a kibosh that event. But you mentioned Brady Kachuk. Canada Kev. Oh, yeah, talk to me about the Kachaks. Like, I'm glad fucking Kachak rhyme. Like, fuck the Kachaks. Yeah. And it just in some ways, just seeing them, it just it takes me back because I, of course, remember their dad who, like when they say the apple doesn't fall far

from the tree in that family. Talk about clones, you know, because why I think it was last week, I heard an interview with the two Kachak brothers and they actually seem like quite, you know, nice guys, Brady more so than the other one. But once that puck drops the ice, man, I'm sorry, they are pure evil. Well that's Saturday night with the three fights in nine seconds. I'm like, okay, we're playing US. On the first shift last night.

Kichuck got dropped to the ice, just pushed down like a pushover. So dangerous with the with the puck at the end, but he was not he was not playing on 100 percent, and I'm OK with that. I find Brady has the more punchable face. Oh, 100 percent. 100 percent. It's more squishy. It wouldn't hurt your hand as much. So I'm gonna, we're gonna wait for Gare Joyce to join before we dive

into the overtime winner. So we're gonna break down the overtime winner by Connor McDavid. But I'll say, the Binnington and overtime mad props. I know Gare Joyce was really sour on Binnington. I think before the game you were saying... I think it was on

unfairly you know deeply it's so easy to pin things on a goalie yeah it's it's and I'm a parent of a goalie daughter who played rap hockey for many years and and suffered through a lot but I'm sorry he kept the goals to under three goals again right yeah he did he had a couple of softies, but like it's going to happen. Right. You can keep it to 300 and yeah, you're going to have a shaky one here and there. Yeah. But when a shaky one thing happens to a goalie, a goal happens when a shaky

thing happens to a forward or defenseman, it can just be like a turnover. And then the team gets it back. Mistakes like that, other than the mistake by the Americans and overtime don't always go punished, right? The goalies tend to be the punching bags for that kind of stuff. Yeah, no doubt. And I was just so glad to see him rise to the occasion when like... Oh yeah. And again, we're going to break down the game winning goal in a moment, but it always felt to me

that I entered this tournament, I think I disclosed this on an episode of Toronto Mike, but I entered this tournament not sure if I was into this Four Nations thing, like this is a thing you just invented, it's going to replace an All-Star break, like I just wasn't sure I was into it. But when Crosby did that back behind the back pass to Nate McKinnon in the early in the Sweden game. Yeah, like less than two minutes in yeah And it was a power play and it was it was McDavid to Crosby and then behind the back this past and McKinnon scored At that moment I realized I have we have to win this fucking tournament like it felt like more than hockey the whole time

It felt like it mattered more than a hockey game Then like like Tyler said it wasn't as long as the Olympics and tournaments. So like it wasn't as much time to get into it, but holy cow, did people get into it? Oh, yeah. And, and the concept too, that this was not an all star break and all star game. Like who, who out there even thought once about the NHL while this was on? Yeah, that's a great point.

I didn't think about one NHL team. Yeah. What does it mean for the league? It was all about countries. Like in such a great point. I didn't think about one NHL team or not. What does it mean for the Leafs? It was all about countries in such a short time. No, without a doubt here. When we had those three fights early in the game, the Canada-US game on Saturday night, it's like, oh, this is not the Olympics. It's almost like, it's almost more intense.

I want to ask you about, and again, Gare's old enough to remember. I mean, Hayref had to leave the Zoom because he's got business to do. He might be old enough to, I don't know how old Hayref is, but he probably remembers 72. I don't think any of us remember 72, but there are a lot of... Diapers? Yeah. I mean, you were in diapers. Del Mundo, were you even alive in 72?

I was two months shy of my three-year-old birthday when that turned out to happen. So yes, I was alive, but yeah, like you guys in diapers. Well, I know that because you put out a book for your... You have any copies left? Oh, it's digital. It's all digital online and I only had made three hard copies and you've got one of them. So yes, it's online. Okay.

Well, before I forget, tell the listeners how they can get a copy of the great book you wrote for your 55th Thanks very much Mike. I just feel free to Send me a note on What do you want to call Twitter or X a Rob underscore dumb? Why you still why you still post their original content in that? That Nazi gathering that cesspool Fair question or get me on Facebook. I'll figure it out on on or on Facebook. I think with episode 1577, just find me on there and we'll work it all out. Okay, get a copy of that. Fine. But so my question was, where do you guys again, we're going to get an

elder statesman in a minute, but where do you think this ranks? Because every time we talk about this, we talk about 72, the guy who said no to his Toronto Mike appearance at the Joe Carter Classic. What's his name again, Tyler? Paul Henderson. Paul something? Okay. Well, we talk about 72.

Then we always talk about Gretzky to Lemieux in the the Canada Cup. Is that 87? Right. Yeah. And then you kind of really you really don't get into it again till 02 when we win our first gold medal in 50 years. And that's in Salt Lake City. What a moment that was. I noticed Rogers can't show any footage from these Olympic Games. So whenever they're doing these montages, you don't get any golden goal or anything. But okay, so you got 02. We don't win in 06. We take it off. Am I good? Sweden won, I think? Yeah, Matt Sundin won. 2010, golden goal, Vancouver. Oh my God, we all remember that. And then we win four years later, but a little different. And then we won. But so we talk about these same moments.

Where does this rank for? I mean, we weren't there watching 72, but where does it rank for you, Canada, Kev? Yeah, I mean, I know from stories from my dad and also my uncle who was working in the forum during the summit series. And it's got some really interesting stories about that with the Russians and special phone lines and some other neat stuff that like obviously that was something way beyond anything that we could imagine this being. However, with the input by that orange ship given south of the border, it really did amp things up and it amped it up fast, which I think makes it more

than any of the other series other than 72. And bringing the political side of it, as much as they say it didn't make a difference, I think it made all the difference in the world. And I put it right up there. That was intense. I'll never forget last night who was with me and where I was. It's awesome.

Especially because earlier in the day on something called Truth social I wouldn't know I'm definitely not there but someone screen capped it on blue sky for me but Trump like a dog with a bone in his mouth like he did more of the maybe sooner rather than later they will be our wonderful 50 first state and I just wish that guy would fuck right off and just that the insult the car, but like just the disrespect and continually calling Trudeau governor and stuff like that. I'm really proud of two is Justin Trudeau, whether people hate him or like him. They said the other thing to see our leader, you know, react in real time

and with such pride and joy, like all of us are at the exact same time with some something to see too. I really enjoyed that. I echo that sentiment VP. Yes, sir. I know you were at the 72. Because you and I are born in the same calendar year. But where do you think this ranks? Where do you think this ranks? Yeah, I mean not being able to fully appreciate the Enormity of 72. I think I think that sort of stands on its own but Based on what we've seen in our life lifetimes. I think it's it's up there with

87 and 2010 and 2002 like I think 2010 stands out obviously just because it was you know the golden goal and it was such a and it was on Canadian soil so it was just a monumental thing. But they were our closest ally in 2010. That's right. That's how long ago that was. Yeah I know. And now don't they feel like they don't feel like they're an ally at all they feel like they don't feel like they're an ally at all. They feel like they don't me Yeah, so I think that I think this is certainly the most political game since 72 And for that reason it probably is if not at the same level as 72. It's it's pretty close

It's it's one or the other and again, I'm waiting Gare said he joined this at noon and it's now 1207. So he's the second guest who, you know, second Buffy to bail today. But Rob, where do you think this ranks? For me personally, I'd, okay, I'm not old enough for 72, but for sure 87 and 2010 are up there. I would put this like kind of on a like a slightly lower tier like maybe around with Salt Lake and I'll tell you why. It's just I mean I think we're all like basking in the glow all Canadians like and you have to factor into it a bit of recency bias maybe not now but a year from now when the Olympics are gonna happen in 2026. I mean we're gonna remember where we were now because of McDavid and the politicization and everything.

But then, like, to be fair, this was like, like, like everyone was saying, a kind of a manufacturer tournament with only four nations. One like one year from now, when it's a true Olympics and it's truly on the world stage, then whatever happens in that game is going to usurp what we're feeling today. And that's that's my take I mean I remember Roger had me on FOTM Roger Lajoi had me on back in that December to talk about the what was of course the forthcoming tournament and I said to Roger at the time well I don't know if anybody remembers where they were in these

manufacturer tournaments like the 2000 World Cup of hockey Shane Doane scoring or Canada beating team Europe in 2016, Brad Shant, not necessarily a where were you moment. And I was skeptical, like many people going into this one, but then when the puck was dropped, that you guys were all saying, Canada, Sweden, behind the back pass, first best on best in nine years. And of course, when I made the statement to Roger, I didn't know that the orangutan down south

was gonna declare annex our country. So with that all political politicization charge, then yes, I would put it up to where I would think right around Salt Lake. Now, will I feel that way a year from now? Well, like I said, I mean, we'll see what happens in the Olympics. Well, we'll see what happens geopolitically, right? We have no idea. Yeah. But because who saw this coming? But I finally, I finally somebody who might remember the 1972 Summit series, Garry Joyce, can you hear us? I can.

Where does, yeah, we can hear you loud and clear. Where does, in a moment we're gonna actually break down, again, we'll get more of your takes in a moment since you're joining us late, but now I'm wondering if you could share with us where you think this ranks in the pantheon of Canadian hockey victories. 2010. Is it on a scale of 2002, 2014? I put it in that range for sure. I think it might be a little sweeter given the political climate. So yeah, not 72, not 2010, nearest thing to can you share with us how you felt about Chantelle's Oh Canada

last night? Oh boy, I I gave my head a shake. I didn't know that it was her. I hadn't been tracking our conversations, mentioning a friend of Toronto Mike as the Chanteuse. I think it's kind of ballsy, but to take liberties with an anthem so long as it's your own, I guess. And she read the room and did her thing. And I don't know that she'll get invited back. But I don't know that she'll get invited back. But I don't know that that was a concern for her. Listen, it was hard to listen to, even if she got, even if she stuck to the script. I don't know that it was a flattering performance. The intent, I think, will stand the test of time better

than the actual performance as that. I skated around that. Speaking of skating, okay, so as a segue to talk about the overtime winner, Gar, give us your take on the game and then close with the Conor McDavid overtime goal and a brilliant, I mean we're going to all speak to this I'm sure, but a brilliant pass by our very own Mitch Marner. So give us your take on the game and then we'll go around the horn and talk about the winning goal and then we'll say goodbye on this special impromptu episode of Toronto Might. Sure. You know, the one takeaway, and it's strictly a personal thing, is that I couldn't help but think of all the principals in that game whose careers I've been tracking

all, you know, for two decades. And like Sid, it's actually more than two decades. But, you know, I met McKinnon before Crosby did. Nathan, I met when he was 13, 14, and Sid before he played a junior game and McDavid, God I remember you know him getting back to his house after after class before his draft year and his dad being as sick as a dog on the couch so it was kind of weird to see all this coming together in just a huge hockey moment. I thought the game was like kind of breathtaking to watch. And the play was elite, but just everything around it, all the background noise and the run up, you know, the downside to

me was seeing Gretzky come out for the puck drop before I just wanted to toss when I saw that. Yeah. That was really hard to take. Like it would have, it would have been like bringing, bringing Trump on the ice.

Yeah. Who would have thought that that we'd equate seeing Gretzky to seeing Trump? Who decided like who read the room and said, yeah, let's put the great one out there as the ambassador. Cause remember in Montreal, when they brought out Mario Lemieux, our hearts filled with this warmth and oh my God, the magnificent one, Mario. And this time it was like, I think we were all booing 99. Wasn't he named like the honorary captain prior to the event starting or was it just

announced last night? I never heard I didn't know it till he was there like when I heard it announced I didn't get a heads up Gretzky would be there but who decided because I noticed remember all those like sports betting ads of Gretzky that they seem to have been pulled like I didn't see any like they said let's let's pause the gretzky ads oh we're not allowed to have celebrities and and whatnot in betting ads well tell that to jamie fox well that's that's when you're watching an american broadcast you sure okay well you're the expert that's fair game that. That's fair game. I mean, you know, we have McDavid and Gretzky and ads and betting ads in Canada and the States, a different deal. But

you know, that's a league production. Yeah. Right. And in conjunction with the PA, that would have been their call and done in advance. What was a dumb call? Even- Oh, it's insane. I mean, it's for lack of, I think it's for lack of Canadian content in the head office of the league in Manhattan. If there had been a Canadian in the room when of the league in Manhattan if there had been a

Canadian in the room when that decision was made that decision would not have been made Yeah, maybe a Phil Esposito or something right and we can remember his speech in 72. Yeah, not bright enough It was what I'd say if he had a bright Canadian but I saw I saw video of Gretzky in the the Canadian room before the game announcing the lineup and I had seen the US team. They had Charlie McAvoy read out the lineup and it was so emotional because he so badly wanted to be in the game,

but he was hurt and the team all kind of gathered around him and hugged him and then you see Gretzky in there like a fucking dead fish just reading out the names and then the team sort of politely tapping their sticks on the floor. Like what a disgrace. If Gretzky were sharp enough and self-aware enough, he'd have known not to be there. You know, like this isn't my time. Let someone else in on that. Or at least wear the Jersey, like put some, put a maple leaf on your chest or something. Like have some sense.

Hell, he doesn't, he doesn't even pick up his order of Canada's for like over a decade. Yeah, exactly. Like we're there. We're SACCIC. Where's again, like, let's get these guys in there. Former Canadian. Iggy would have been perfect actually. And I think of it, okay, Gary, give us your take on the game winning goal. And then we're going to go Canada Kev, Rob Del Mundo, VP of sales, and then I'll close it out.

And I thank you all for this emergency session. And thank you to Elvis who took 10 minutes of his busy North Oshawa life to tell us he hates Chantel's family. Okay, Gare. I would say that you could make a strong case for Mitch being the most valuable player in that game. I mean, he was, it was an amazing, amazing setup, clear-eyed and timely. How McDavid got that open, that's not a question for me, that's a question for Austin Mathews. It kind of brought back a little

a memory of Vancouver in 2010. Was it exactly like Sid crashing the net? McDavid had time and space. He just had to stand there. He didn't have to go anywhere. So yeah, a bit of a throwback in that way. A wonderful way for Marner to wind up his tournament, you know, between that and the two assists last night. And by the way, before overtime, I thought Canada's best player had been Sam Bennett. I mean, he should be on a postage stamp. He was fantastic. I think that, I think it's a nice, not that Marner needs an ego boost or stroke or anything like that, but it sets this stretch or stretch run for the Leafs in a nice way, although we'll see how healthy Matthews

is at the at the end of this. All right, let's hear from you, Canada Kev. Final thoughts. Tell us what you thought of the game winning goal in overtime last night. Yeah, yeah, it was a beauty. It was like, like Gareth said, it was a pretty much a sure thing. And that's why I always for me, I'm always kind of interested with, you know, yes, a game winning goal and overtime is an important goal, obviously. But when it's kind of that easy, like I know that's not easy, but in relative terms compared to the talent on the ice, like pretty much everybody would have gotten that one, right? I don't think I don't know. I feel like that shot by McDavid was, you know,

top shelf by the greatest player in the game. Yeah, you know, but then but yeah, that's why I saw that. Would have given it to Bennington, but that's that's just me being a goalie dad. The thing I was surprised with, too, was like, like you said, as well with it being such elite talent, like both teams on the ice for the whole game. And I know it doesn't relate as well on television, but the speed, it was relentless. Like there was no like, okay, that was a fast first period. Now a really lame and slow counteractive for productive second period. And then saying it was nonstop relentless

and NHL size ranks. This is not Olympic size. Yeah, that helps a lot. And also to the bit with with Marner, like when Mish Marner can kind of be seen as an afterthought with it with a with the plays like he had last night in the setups and it just goes to show how talented the team was just incredible and how they how they adjusted their game compared to the way they played the first game. Right, because they really were boxed out in the offensive zone throughout that first game and they couldn't get inside to get those shots up and look where the goals came from last night. The one thing I'd add to that is that, space was so hard to come by last night. And if there's one thing that Mitch can do, it's find time and make space.

And, and, you know, he, he runs the clock a little on the cycle. And I think that was maybe more to the first goal than the second goal. But boy, I mean, he didn't have to on the second one. I was a little bit surprised that somehow the rat didn't get somehow into the play a bit more or make some sort of impactful play. Well, he's 36 years old, right? I do feel weird being feeling so happy. Him dowdy and Crosby are the the the old three scenario.

So I was just one of the political side of things. Right. Oh, so I was just one of the political side things. Yes. And the phrase from that and as much as it was prevalent last night, I don't think I had the hate on as much as I did in Vancouver now that I reflect on it, because I'm reminded not so much of the men's game, but of the women's game and Haley Wickenheiser at the end of that and her speech and if nobody has ever heard hailey wickenheiser after winning the gold medal in vancouver being interviewed you got to look it up oh yeah she asks the americans if they want her to sign uh sign the flag that they were stepping on in the dressing room and she's so full of emotion too and that just led

right into that man's game it was so exciting exciting. Rob Del Mundo, thoughts on the game winning goal and then your final thoughts on what happened last night. Thoughts on the game winning goal in just 10 seconds. Haley's speech was actually after Salt Lake, not Vancouver. Yeah. Oh, sorry. Sorry. Oh, no, no problem. Still a great speech, right, Canada? Canada.

I want us to know, they want us to sign it. Sweat pouring in the... Do we have a... Don Turing fun cherry and three Bible right there. But yeah, absolutely. Go ahead. Can we we had over over chatter there? What did you say? Oh, sorry.

I was just remembering. Yeah. So like that was also when we had the loony under the ice. Yeah. We have a loony under the ice in Boston. No, I heard Ron McLean asking no, no loony. Sometimes we have these back door Canadians in American cities. You don't need we were 60 cents anyway, but.

Okay, back to you, Rob. So in terms of the goal, I mean, I guess for myself, like, apart from what everyone else has already said, like, I mean, a great, great moment, a great fly by by Matthews there, what's he doing and a great pass by Marner. But in just in a way that sports seems to write the next chapter, I'm just so interested in to see whether or not this takes Connor McDavid to the next step because, you know, he was MVP in the playoffs last year, but the Florida held him off the score sheet in

both game six and game seven. So Connor had to wear that for a while. And in terms of symmetry, I think of Mario scoring that goal in 87. And that was his sort of coming out party on the next stage. And he would eventually, it took him four or five years after that, lead him to two more Stanley Cups and sit in Vancouver. He'd won a couple already by that point. But at the same time, it was more of an iconic moment. But in terms of here we are 15 years later, and it's the best player in, but at the same time, it's not, it was more of an iconic moment, but in terms of here we are 15 years later,

and it's the best player in the world at that time. Mario in 87, Sid in 2010, and Connor McDavid today, scoring at the right moment. So I'm curious to see whether this momentum takes Connor over the hump in terms of, like, I mean, he was so, also close leading the Oilers last year, won the ConceiMite trophy, didn't give a damn about that, but

whether or not it leads him to the promised land and and gets to that next level. Okay, the mic goes to the VP of Sales, Tyler Campbell. Thank you, sir. Yes. I like it when you call me, sir. Just trying to be respectful. Yeah, I mean, I'll echo Gare in just saying, uh, how happy I was for Mitch Marner and what a great tournament he had.

Uh, the overtime winner against Sweden was, was really sweet. Uh, and, and those two assists last night were, were just vintage Marner. So it was great to see it. He's taken a lot of shit in, in Toronto, uh, for a long time. He's kind of been the designated whipping boy for the Leafs failures in the, in the playoffs and certainly he's,, he struggled, but it's, it's definitely not all on him. So I hope that this, this kind of gives him a bit of a boost in terms of coming back to the Leafs and,

and having some success in the playoffs. Otherwise the game was just spectacular. That winning goal to Rob's point, like it, it's amazing how these great players manage to just step up to center stage at the right time. And it's inspiring to see, it's exciting to see. And I loved every second of that game last night. Hook it right to my veins. And again, I play this as the cold open,

but it's only 10 seconds, so I'm gonna play it again. Do you have a prediction? What will the score be tomorrow night when Canada faces USA for hockey supremacy in Boston? Three to Canada. So Marcy Ian did nail the score. Now she had the wrong, you know, she thought it'd be a regulation win and she thought Crosby would get the game winning goal. But I decided not to excerpt that part, but a shout out to Mar Ian who did call the the final score there. So my thoughts are I'm going to just echo something VP just said about Mitch Marner because I was the guy who was whipping him. Okay.

So as you know, I'm a big Leaf fan. Are we all Lee fans on this zoom right now? No, no. Gary, do you have a team? No. Okay. So you're that's your journalistic. A doctor's favorite body part. Okay. Well, the urologist told me his okay. Canada Kev, you're a Leaf fan? Yes. Okay. And Rob, I know you're also a journalist. Are you allowed to answer this question? You're a Leaf fan? The team that I cover and if they win the Stanley Cup. Yes or no, Rob.

the team that I cover and if they win the Stanley Cup. Yes or no, Rob? So Tyler and I were bleeding blue and white in this basement right now, okay? Lifelong Leaf fans, even though you were born in Hamilton. I was, but I come from a long line of Leaf fans. My grandparents had season's tickets, so. My mother was a mutter, my father was a mutter. Okay, because of several playoffs in a row,

I've been disappointed. I mean, the Leafs have had disappointing playoffs for 20 years. I mean, really longer. I don't know when we'll be back when was he okay? Long time, but Marlowe's series. Right. In my, I'm not a journalist. I don't analyze the games like Garrett Joyce and Rob Del Mundo, but Marner seems to disappear in the playoffs. And when we need him most, sometimes I don't even notice him out there. Like this is just stupid Mike in his basement here telling you that. And it's amazing to see him have the game winning goal in Sweden was just such a great goal in such an important time. We needed that extra point, obviously in hindsight, but also that the passes last night and that pass and overtime, his pass,

I've watched it over and over again. What a sublime pass from Mitch Marner, former whipping boy. But now I'm just saying, Mitch, if you're, I know you're a topical guy on Eden Bridge there, listening to Toronto Mike right now. All is forgiven. I said to Monica last night, I said, I will sacrifice a Leafs Stanley Cup for a win tonight. And I meant it. Am I nuts? You're not nuts. I can go with the rest.

I've never seen the Leafs win a Stanley Cup. I'm comfortable with it. I can go long with that. But I said, I want to win this game. It just felt bigger than sports, felt like it was more important than sports. But I'm just saying sorry and all is forgiven to Mitch Marner. What a pass. And Connor McDavid, the greatest player in the game. and it was a patching of the torch of source because

right, like I think Del Mundo said but Crosby was the best player in the game in 2010 and he showed it and McDavid is the best player in the game Nobody just the skill. I'm always in awe of that skill What a great shot. I think the pucks on his stick, but he has to execute and he put it in the perfect spot and there you go. I just want to say thank you to Team Canada for giving me such joy last night. My daughter, who doesn't give a fuck about hockey, I never saw someone say that before. She phoned me this morning from Montreal, I'll say her and her girlfriends watched it last night and it was the most amazing experience and they're all riding the high today. All my kids loved it. The eight-year-old was asleep, but the ten-year-old got to stay up for the game and he was going to bed. I was kissing him good night at midnight last night and he had the biggest smile on his face and he said that was amazing.

He'll never forget it. So thank you to Team Canada for delivering and I would say I wasn't there for 72, but I don't feel like we were in danger of Russia Annexing our country in 72 like to me the president the United States of America the commander-in-chief of the world's largest military is continually continually threatening to make Canada The 51st state and these tariffs are looming in March and fuck him. Fuck America for voting that guy in and go Canada go. Thank you everybody here for joining me today.

This was amazing. And to help with that, you gotta remember, right? Buy Canadian, just like those cans behind you, right? Buy Canadian beer like this GLB. I'm gonna crack open a lake effect. Love the lake effect. Oh, you did it right there. Amazing. I gotta say that it's brewed. I've been to the brewery

It's in South Etobicoke. Okay, it doesn't get more Canadian than that. So by the way So the beer GLB and they're hosting us and Gare. I know you're in Kingston Yes, how do we get you to Toronto for June 26th? I was I was looking at it on the schedule. I'm you're gonna see what you can do to piece it together We'll send a car here car. I was gonna send a helicopter. Okay Land on the roof of glb or something like that. Okay, so great lakes will buy you your first pint At the brewery June 26 from six to nine pm rob I hope to see you there but palma pasta is going to feed us and I just want to say thank you to Palma for that Brad Jones from Ridley Funeral Home

he'll be there you know I say measuring tapes for everybody and Nick Aynes I hope he's there because he's a proud new sponsor of the program he called during this recording I'll have to give him a shout later but he's with Fusion Corp Developments Inc and he's got a great podcast called Life's... Brad Jones' podcast is called Life's Undertaking and Nick Ainii's podcast is called Building Toronto's Skyline. And of course, RecycleMyElectronics.ca. That's where you go. If you have old electronics, old cables, you don't throw that out. You go to RecycleMyElectronics.ca, find out where you drop it off to be properly recycled. My goodness gracious. Thank you so much to Gare Joyce, the legend. Thanks for doing this Gare.

Thank you. Thanks for having me bud. And thanks to Canada Kev. We love Canada Kev. Hey, thanks for having me. And thanks to FOTM Rob Del Mundo. Rob, thanks for joining us today. This is a lot of fun guys.

And the man, like literally I had another guest here. guest here was like I don't know what it was 1115. My guest is not arriving. I'm like I need to talk about the game last night with somebody. I literally called the VP here and I said you're a Mimico. Would you cross the border and visit me in New Toronto in five minutes later you were at the door. So VP of sales. You're the real MVP. VLAD DELTA Always a pleasure.

TROY And that brings us to the end of our 1636th show. Go to torontomic.com for all your Toronto Mike needs. Much love to all who made this possible. That's Great Lakes Brewery, Toronto Mike Needs, Much Love to all who made this possible, that's Great Lakes Brewery, Palma Pasta, or Palma Pasta if you prefer, RecycleMyElectronics.ca, Building Toronto Skyline and Ridley Funeral Home. See you all Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, double header believe it or not because I have a gentleman named Bruce Davis dropping by and he's going to talk about the proposed shelter at 6th and Lakeshore in New Toronto. That's a hyper local F episode. Maybe you can listen from Mimico there VP, but Amen Bhatia, the man's performance is on Michael Jackson's Thriller and he's had the most amazing career and he did these promotional audio for CFNY in the 90s that I loved and we're going to talk about

all that. That's Monday. See you all then! you