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Psychic Nikki likes Leafs chances of beating Bruins ... and winning Stanley Cup
Dave Pollard
Published:
April 6, 2019
Updated:
April 6, 2019 6:37 PM EDT
Blue and White mania took over Maple Leaf Square for Game 4 of the first-round playoff matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins on Wednesday May 8, 2013. (Jack Boland / Toronto Sun)
Get ready, Maple Leafs fans, to party like it’s 1999.
Or, more accurately, 1967.
With the Leafs set to start their first-round playoff series against the big bad Boston Bruins, the Sun decided to get the skinny on which team would be hoisting Lord Stanley’s mug on a coming warm June evening.
So of course, we hit up Nikki, psychic to the stars, to pick her brain on who would win the Leafs-Bruins series — remember folks, Toronto hasn’t beaten Boston in the playoffs since 1959 when George (Chief) Armstrong, Bob Baun and Johnny Bower wore the blue and white — and eventually capture the Stanley Cup.
And she had some damn good news for long-suffering Leafs fans, many of whom weren’t born when Toronto last won the Cup in 1967.
Story continues below
George Armstrong with the 1967 Leafs after they won the Stanley Cup. (CanWest)
“They (the Leafs) haven’t been playing that great but I see something happening,” Nikki said. “It will be a big celebration. I feel good about June. I really think they have a good chance.”
“I had a dream there was going to be a parade. Everybody dressed up in blue and white. People wearing blue wigs. I can see that party in a vision and Mayor (John) Tory is there. I see people going crazy in the streets. I see that really strong.”
Then again, Nikki said, adding a bit of a proviso to her prediction, the parade and party might not happen until next summer.
Psychic Nikki (Facebook)
“I know they have a good chance in 2020, for sure,” she said. “They have a good chance. (But) I like Tampa Bay, too. What colour are they?”
Uh, blue and white, same as the Leafs. Was that the psychic version of waffling?
C’mon, Leafs fans are saying, how about some clarity here.
Well, for clairvoyants like Nikki, it doesn’t really work that way. It’s all about the visions and sometimes getting the timing of an event pinned down just doesn’t happen.
The Bruins, winners of the last five playoff meetings with the Leafs, including The Beantown Meltdown in 2013 and last spring’s seven-game banishment, head into the best-of-seven series as the favourite but that doesn’t seem to faze Nikki much.
“I’m getting Tampa Bay, the Leafs and … Boston,” she admitted. “Honestly, I think (it could be in) 2020. I think Toronto has a good chance. I’m getting a negativity around Boston.”
dpollard@postmedia.com
http://torontosun.com/news/local-ne...ces-of-beating-bruins-and-winning-stanley-cup
Dave Pollard
Published:
April 6, 2019
Updated:
April 6, 2019 6:37 PM EDT
Blue and White mania took over Maple Leaf Square for Game 4 of the first-round playoff matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins on Wednesday May 8, 2013. (Jack Boland / Toronto Sun)
Get ready, Maple Leafs fans, to party like it’s 1999.
Or, more accurately, 1967.
With the Leafs set to start their first-round playoff series against the big bad Boston Bruins, the Sun decided to get the skinny on which team would be hoisting Lord Stanley’s mug on a coming warm June evening.
So of course, we hit up Nikki, psychic to the stars, to pick her brain on who would win the Leafs-Bruins series — remember folks, Toronto hasn’t beaten Boston in the playoffs since 1959 when George (Chief) Armstrong, Bob Baun and Johnny Bower wore the blue and white — and eventually capture the Stanley Cup.
And she had some damn good news for long-suffering Leafs fans, many of whom weren’t born when Toronto last won the Cup in 1967.
Story continues below
George Armstrong with the 1967 Leafs after they won the Stanley Cup. (CanWest)
“They (the Leafs) haven’t been playing that great but I see something happening,” Nikki said. “It will be a big celebration. I feel good about June. I really think they have a good chance.”
“I had a dream there was going to be a parade. Everybody dressed up in blue and white. People wearing blue wigs. I can see that party in a vision and Mayor (John) Tory is there. I see people going crazy in the streets. I see that really strong.”
Then again, Nikki said, adding a bit of a proviso to her prediction, the parade and party might not happen until next summer.
Psychic Nikki (Facebook)
“I know they have a good chance in 2020, for sure,” she said. “They have a good chance. (But) I like Tampa Bay, too. What colour are they?”
Uh, blue and white, same as the Leafs. Was that the psychic version of waffling?
C’mon, Leafs fans are saying, how about some clarity here.
Well, for clairvoyants like Nikki, it doesn’t really work that way. It’s all about the visions and sometimes getting the timing of an event pinned down just doesn’t happen.
The Bruins, winners of the last five playoff meetings with the Leafs, including The Beantown Meltdown in 2013 and last spring’s seven-game banishment, head into the best-of-seven series as the favourite but that doesn’t seem to faze Nikki much.
“I’m getting Tampa Bay, the Leafs and … Boston,” she admitted. “Honestly, I think (it could be in) 2020. I think Toronto has a good chance. I’m getting a negativity around Boston.”
dpollard@postmedia.com
http://torontosun.com/news/local-ne...ces-of-beating-bruins-and-winning-stanley-cup
WARMINGTON: Legendary Maple Leafs usher dies at 80
Joe Warmington
Published:
April 9, 2019
Updated:
April 9, 2019 6:17 PM EDT
Andy MastorisJoe Warmington / Toronto Sun
Andy Mastoris enjoyed being the only staffer working Leafs games who could boast seeing a Stanley Cup win.
But he told me what he would like better is for both his peers and fellow fans to experience one too.
“They deserve it,” he said recently.
“It’s going to happen.”
When it does, sadly — lovable Andy will not be there with his beloved peers down at The Vault.
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He died Monday at 80.
“Andy was one of the best I have worked with! Always a smile for everyone,” said long time game-day manager Celeste D’Agostino — herself a 40-year veteran.
“I will miss him and his legacy is that he touched thousands over the years.”
He started in 1964 at Maple Leaf Gardens, working regularly until recently.
Ady Mastoris, centre, in 1967, with Harold and Stan Gatski
“It was like a dream,” Andy told me of seeing the Stanley Cup presented.
Long before the star names of today like Matthews, Marner and Kadri, donning the blue and white back then were heroes such as Armstrong, Bower, Baun, Duff, Horton and Keon.
Rolling Stones, ACC come through for special fan
Maple Leafs’ fans always faithful
Unsung ACC heroes
Raucous crowd welcomes Leafs home for 2013-14 season
It was the fans that Andy loved most.
“The best in hockey,” he’d say.
And he always cherished the night he got to be one.
During Andy’s 50th season, classy club Chairman Larry Tanenbaum gave him the night off to enjoy a game as a fan with his family.
“It was magical,” Andy told me.
Much deserved for a Maple Leafs legend who certainly made his mark off the ice.
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-legendary-maple-leafs-usher-dies-at-80
Joe Warmington
Published:
April 9, 2019
Updated:
April 9, 2019 6:17 PM EDT
Andy MastorisJoe Warmington / Toronto Sun
Andy Mastoris enjoyed being the only staffer working Leafs games who could boast seeing a Stanley Cup win.
But he told me what he would like better is for both his peers and fellow fans to experience one too.
“They deserve it,” he said recently.
“It’s going to happen.”
When it does, sadly — lovable Andy will not be there with his beloved peers down at The Vault.
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet,
but your article continues below.
He died Monday at 80.
“Andy was one of the best I have worked with! Always a smile for everyone,” said long time game-day manager Celeste D’Agostino — herself a 40-year veteran.
“I will miss him and his legacy is that he touched thousands over the years.”
He started in 1964 at Maple Leaf Gardens, working regularly until recently.
Ady Mastoris, centre, in 1967, with Harold and Stan Gatski
“It was like a dream,” Andy told me of seeing the Stanley Cup presented.
Long before the star names of today like Matthews, Marner and Kadri, donning the blue and white back then were heroes such as Armstrong, Bower, Baun, Duff, Horton and Keon.
Rolling Stones, ACC come through for special fan
Maple Leafs’ fans always faithful
Unsung ACC heroes
Raucous crowd welcomes Leafs home for 2013-14 season
It was the fans that Andy loved most.
“The best in hockey,” he’d say.
And he always cherished the night he got to be one.
During Andy’s 50th season, classy club Chairman Larry Tanenbaum gave him the night off to enjoy a game as a fan with his family.
“It was magical,” Andy told me.
Much deserved for a Maple Leafs legend who certainly made his mark off the ice.
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-legendary-maple-leafs-usher-dies-at-80
WARMINGTON: Don't count the Leafs out. Just ask Don Cherry
Joe Warmington
Published:
April 10, 2019
Updated:
April 10, 2019 6:26 PM EDT
Don Cherry (Michael Peake, Toronto Sun)
The NHL playoffs are Christmas time in Toronto.
And while a majority of the hockey experts have the Leafs going down quickly to the Boston Bruins in the first round, Don Cherry disagrees.
“I don’t know about that,” Cherry said on the eve of Thursday’s first game between the Leafs and Bruins. “People who are counting the Leafs out are forgetting they are a good team.”
One guy, added Grapes, not taking the Leafs lightly is Boston coach Bruce Cassidy.
“As a coach I hated playing against a desperate club and the Leafs are desperate,” said Cherry, who’ll appear every other night on Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada until June.
Story continues below
The Leafs have had two recent heart-breaking playoffs losses to the Bruins and want revenge.
“They are going in with a different attitude,” noted Cherry. “There’s less pressure starting on the road. The Leafs will want to steal one of the first two in Boston.”
Cherry expects a long series, insisting “it could go either way.”
Don Cherry’s NHL playing career with the Bruins consisted of one playoff game against the Habs in 1955. (Postmedia files)
In terms of which team to cheer on, the former Bruins coach said he’s conflicted.
“I have been with the Bruins since I went to rookie camp when I was 16,” said Cherry, who played a game for the team before going on to coach Boston. “But I am from Kingston and I grew up with the Leafs, too. So this is tough.”
That is why, he said, he won’t be wearing either Leafs blue or Bruins gold on Coach’s Corner.
“I will be dressed neutral,” he joked.
Former Leafs star Wendel Clark agreed Toronto will be formidable, predicting, “Leafs in six.”
It wouldn’t surprise Cherry.
“The Leafs have so much talent,” he added. “It’s going to be a great series because the Bruins are good, too.”
While Cherry played for the Bruins during the 1955 playoffs, he’s also in a famous photograph wearing a Maple Leafs sweater.
“People get me to sign it; I would have been one of the most unlikely people to be signing those since I didn’t make the team,” Cherry said, laughing.
But he almost did.
“It was 1963 and I had a good chance but then I filled Ron Ellis in and gave him a good shot, too. When I heard Punch Imlach yell ‘Get that 50-cent hockey player who hit my million-dollar player off the ice,’ I knew I was in trouble,” said Cherry, adding “when I see Ellis today he still doesn’t find it funny.”
All these years later, Cherry said he’s like a kid at Christmas, waiting for the puck to drop.
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-dont-count-the-leafs-out-just-ask-don-cherry
Joe Warmington
Published:
April 10, 2019
Updated:
April 10, 2019 6:26 PM EDT
Don Cherry (Michael Peake, Toronto Sun)
The NHL playoffs are Christmas time in Toronto.
And while a majority of the hockey experts have the Leafs going down quickly to the Boston Bruins in the first round, Don Cherry disagrees.
“I don’t know about that,” Cherry said on the eve of Thursday’s first game between the Leafs and Bruins. “People who are counting the Leafs out are forgetting they are a good team.”
One guy, added Grapes, not taking the Leafs lightly is Boston coach Bruce Cassidy.
“As a coach I hated playing against a desperate club and the Leafs are desperate,” said Cherry, who’ll appear every other night on Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada until June.
Story continues below
The Leafs have had two recent heart-breaking playoffs losses to the Bruins and want revenge.
“They are going in with a different attitude,” noted Cherry. “There’s less pressure starting on the road. The Leafs will want to steal one of the first two in Boston.”
Cherry expects a long series, insisting “it could go either way.”
Don Cherry’s NHL playing career with the Bruins consisted of one playoff game against the Habs in 1955. (Postmedia files)
In terms of which team to cheer on, the former Bruins coach said he’s conflicted.
“I have been with the Bruins since I went to rookie camp when I was 16,” said Cherry, who played a game for the team before going on to coach Boston. “But I am from Kingston and I grew up with the Leafs, too. So this is tough.”
That is why, he said, he won’t be wearing either Leafs blue or Bruins gold on Coach’s Corner.
“I will be dressed neutral,” he joked.
Former Leafs star Wendel Clark agreed Toronto will be formidable, predicting, “Leafs in six.”
It wouldn’t surprise Cherry.
“The Leafs have so much talent,” he added. “It’s going to be a great series because the Bruins are good, too.”
While Cherry played for the Bruins during the 1955 playoffs, he’s also in a famous photograph wearing a Maple Leafs sweater.
“People get me to sign it; I would have been one of the most unlikely people to be signing those since I didn’t make the team,” Cherry said, laughing.
But he almost did.
“It was 1963 and I had a good chance but then I filled Ron Ellis in and gave him a good shot, too. When I heard Punch Imlach yell ‘Get that 50-cent hockey player who hit my million-dollar player off the ice,’ I knew I was in trouble,” said Cherry, adding “when I see Ellis today he still doesn’t find it funny.”
All these years later, Cherry said he’s like a kid at Christmas, waiting for the puck to drop.
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-dont-count-the-leafs-out-just-ask-don-cherry
Leafs fans driving for victory over Boston
Veronica Henri
Published:
April 10, 2019
Updated:
April 10, 2019 7:27 PM EDT
What’s blue and white and rode all over? A pimped-out Toronto Maple Leafs car!
With the Leafs poised to battle the Bruins in the teams’ first playoff game Thursday night, brothers Vince and Carlo Velocci unveiled their effort to honour the Buds: A Honda Civic decked out in the colours of their favourite club.
“This is the fourth car that we have designed over the years … It’s been Chevy Cavaliers, Volkswagens, and this is a Honda Civic,” explained John Velocci
Growing up in a diehard Leafs household left them “bleeding blue and white” — even now.
Garret Sparks returns to Maple Leafs on eve of playoffs, but it’s going to be temporary
SIMMONS: Your guide to the Maple Leafs beating the Boston Bruins
Leafs’ Marner has no confidence issues as series with Bruins about to get underway
“During the playoffs — back in the ’60s and when they won the cup in ’67 — I remember as a young fellow, they were partying and everyone was excited in the household,” recalled Velocci, 59, president of Performance Plus Auto Service, located in North York.
Velocci will only drive the vehicle during the playoffs and plans on heading down to the Scotiabank Arena, predicting the Leafs will win the first round in six games.
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/leafs-fans-driving-for-victory-over-boston
Veronica Henri
Published:
April 10, 2019
Updated:
April 10, 2019 7:27 PM EDT
What’s blue and white and rode all over? A pimped-out Toronto Maple Leafs car!
With the Leafs poised to battle the Bruins in the teams’ first playoff game Thursday night, brothers Vince and Carlo Velocci unveiled their effort to honour the Buds: A Honda Civic decked out in the colours of their favourite club.
“This is the fourth car that we have designed over the years … It’s been Chevy Cavaliers, Volkswagens, and this is a Honda Civic,” explained John Velocci
Growing up in a diehard Leafs household left them “bleeding blue and white” — even now.
Garret Sparks returns to Maple Leafs on eve of playoffs, but it’s going to be temporary
SIMMONS: Your guide to the Maple Leafs beating the Boston Bruins
Leafs’ Marner has no confidence issues as series with Bruins about to get underway
“During the playoffs — back in the ’60s and when they won the cup in ’67 — I remember as a young fellow, they were partying and everyone was excited in the household,” recalled Velocci, 59, president of Performance Plus Auto Service, located in North York.
Velocci will only drive the vehicle during the playoffs and plans on heading down to the Scotiabank Arena, predicting the Leafs will win the first round in six games.