Tip of the Tower
Fansided

The best moments from the Air Canada Centre era

By Austin Owens

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 15: The Toronto Maple Leafs 100th anniversay opening ceremonies honouring past Maple Leaf legends prior to action against the Boston Bruins an NHL game on October 15, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 15: The Toronto Maple Leafs 100th anniversay opening ceremonies honouring past Maple Leaf legends prior to action against the Boston Bruins an NHL game on October 15, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 19: Connor Brown
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 19: Connor Brown /

#4: 2017 – Connor Brown’s Game Winner vs. Pittsburgh

From one moment over a decade old to a memory still fresh in Maple Leafs fans minds. With just two games left in the NHL season, the Leafs were still in a neck-and-neck race to the playoffs with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Islanders.

The goal was simple, win the next game, and the Leafs would make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. But with the Leafs, nothing is simple, as they had to get through either Pittsburgh or Columbus to make it to the postseason.

The game had both ups and downs for the Buds. With just over 13 minutes left in the third, an errant pass took a bounce off Jake Gardiner and past Curtis McElhinney to put the Pens in the lead.

But the Leafs never gave up. After Kasperi Kapanen drew the Leafs even, Gardiner went from the goat to the hero, throwing a shot on net that was tipped in by Connor Brown.

It was the rookie’s 20th goal of the season and the biggest of his short career.

The best moment of the night by far was the shot of the Toronto faithful jumping to their feet after the goal. The reaction is goosebump-inducing to this day.

The Leafs received amazing support from the fans throughout the playoff stretch. The ACC was jumping from thereon and will be filled to capacity when the team takes the ice this coming season.

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