Anyone who knows me is aware that I’m not a “Maple Leafs” fan by any means
However, what I witnessed before Saturday’s game was a touching scene
The first European to play hockey in the NHL
Has been diagnosed with “ALS” and isn’t doing well
He played for “Toronto” a total of sixteen years
His seventeenth was with “Detroit” and then he ended his North American career
He played another three years in “Sweden” over there
The fact he has this affliction all seems so unfair
They interviewed “Darryl Sittler” on this broadcast and he was an emotional guy
He spoke proudly of his former teammate while wiping the tears from his eyes
He was unable to get his last sentence out before they broke away
He showed so much passion on every word that he had to say
They then premiered a video of “Salming” in his prime
He is the best “Toronto” defenseman of all time
Once the reel was finished, they showed him and his family on our screen
Seeing them all there together was such a touching scene
They then panned the “Scotiabank” arena and you could see some fans in shock
His malady has advanced to the point that he is unable to talk
There was heartfelt applause by each and every fan
It was a thunderous ovation for this cherished man
His wife and daughter stood on either side of him and each had an arm they clutched
You could tell by “Borje’s” body language that he was really touched
Covering his mouth with his hand was his immediate reaction
Obviously over these many years he hasn’t lost any of his attraction
“Eric Nylander” and “Oliver Ekman-Larson” faced off at center ice
Both players hale from “Sweden” which was something nice
Borje dropped the ceremonial puck between his fellow countrymen
The tribute to this hockey hero didn’t stop then
“Toronto’s” starting lineup consisted of six “Swedes” including the man in goal
This truly emphasized this man’s major role
He is the one who led the way for these players to play this game
This is just another example of his claim to fame
This team showed a lot of class in honouring their star
As far as an organization, they really raised the bar
In turn they brought “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” into the public’s light
We are wishing Borje all the best in his epic fight
The Black Sheep Poet 