Leaf fans say thank you to Wendel Clark - 2000 playoffs

This is the famous game in 2000 during Wendel's third stint with the Leafs. Even though he was almost completely broken down by this point (he'd announce his retirement a few weeks later), it turns out he had one last great game in him.

Early in the third period he outworkws the Devils to set up the winning goal by Darcy Tucker. Later, at the end of another great shift he broke into the Devils zone and fired one of his patented wrist shots. It beat Brodeur but hit the post, and he heads for the bench.

And then a funny thing happened.

With the game paused for a television time out, the crowd buzz didn't die off. Slowly but surely, the ACC came to life. As the center ice scoreboard showed a closeup of Clark on the bench, people started standing up. The suits in the platinums, the real fans in the upper level, old-timers who'd seen every Clark game, kids who were seeing their very first -- everyone.

The standing ovation lasted through the commercial break, and when they dropped the puck for the ensuing face-off the fans ignored it and kept on cheering. There was no PA announcer begging for noise, no instructions on the scoreboard -- just one of those spontaneous moments that happens all too rarely in pro sports.

Unfortunately, since the CBC was in commercial this clip doesn't really do the moment justice. But it does include a nice interview with Scott Oake after the game where Wendel acknowledges what it mean to him.

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Category:

Sports

Tags:

• wendel
• clark
• leafs
• devils
• playoffs
• 2000
• ovation
• acc
• fans
• standing ovation

[MrTGMM]

If Wendel Clark says Toronto is the best place in the world to play hockey, then Toronto is the best place in the world to play hockey. 'nuf said.

[evh5150316]

Clark has such a good wrist shot.

[Vertigo2903]

legends never die

[MrTGMM]

If Wendel Clark says Toronto is the best place in the world to play hockey, then Toronto is the best place in the world to play hockey. 'nuf said.

[dreadth0rn]

I wish I'd been around for Wendel Clark's glory days. He seems like a real stand-up guy! Thank you for uploading these clips for us newcomers to enjoy. :)

So...who in the NHL today comes (remotely) close to being the next Wendel Clark?

[Vertigo2903]

Wendel Clark defines what a hockey player is. The whole rugged I don't give a f*ck thing. Not only am I gonna score. I'm gonna kick your ass too

[jimkelly812]

Wendel's the Don Mattingly of hockey!



[MrTML67]

@offthelinegt no no your gay an touch other mens cups :D

[offthelinegt]

Clarks gay and the Loafs will never again touch the Stanley Cup

[hendrix1313]

this is the good ol' NHL, rather this than todays

[JimB667]

@sony7870 or you for that matter.