My favourite memories coincide with Mats as well. I remember watching tv on my knees in the living room to watch the home opener of I the 82-83 season. All I remember were the player introductions and out skated number 26 with the name Mats Naslund at the bottom of the tv screen. I remember telling my dad, "that's my favourite player". I later remember being sent to bed after the first period, I was 9 years old.
My first game ever live... 85-86 season at the forum... Montreal vs. Hartford. My grandfather got some tickets through a friend of a friend... anyhow, we ended up getting corner seats, 10 rows or so from the ice. Mike Liut was in net, ended up hurting his groin in the warm up but stayed on in net for Hartford. Mats Naslund scores on a break away. I don't remember how, I was trying to get a good look at his face. I heard the pop of the puck hitting that back of the net and seeing my favourite player pumpernickel only feet away from me. Childlike euphoria! Enough to bring me to tears. I think it ended up 5-0 Montreal.
85-86 final game against Calgary... the game just ended and camera shot of Mats giving a huge punch in the shoulder to Brian Skrudland while celebrating the cup win on the bench.
Ok I'm done.
Thanks for giving me a chance to reminisce.
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