Mario Lemieux - Returns To NHL - 2000-12-27

[@VS-uc2lm]

Whose here after listening to Jagr’s interview talking about Mario’s son and Mario telling him he’s paying again.

[@kbakha]

Yes! Totally after that interview with Jagr. How good both they were.

[@sea8bass]

I am!

[@johntruxal432]

Thankfully there wasn't youtube for him to watch his dad play...and we all got the real deal.

[@nancetardiff339]

I was on Spittin Chicklets not two minutes ago!

[@kurtisholzshu3586]

Hah! Yep, that’s me.

[@adampratt1925]

Imagine the Leafs sitting in the room before the game, listening to the crowd, knowing 66 was gonna be on the ice. "Boys, I think we are fucked."

[@hounddog3476]

Really 66 is back?...... They are playing simply the best........yeah boys we are effed

[@SeaJayAudit]

In the words of Mickey O'Neil: "Proper fucked."

[@Jimbosliceeeeee420]

As a leafs fan watching that game, I knew they were gonna lose lol

[@hanslilja3873]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 yes they was thinking that its al over before they where going in to The ice 😂😂😂😂😂

[@carlhatt9302]

Right? Like, okay let's try not to lose by 5.

[@KevinMcGannon]

What a moment in hockey history.

[@rvermeulen66]

Sports history!

[@hanslilja3873]

Totaly unbelivebel moment The greatest player of al time was coming back and he shoot and he scored yes

[@mikehari5658]

I’m a die hard leaf fan, but my all time favourite player is Mario Lemieux. Remember watching this on tv; could care less about the leafs that night.

[@james_d_eaton]

Chills man! Chills! I miss this era of hockey. All the guys I grew up loving. New era is amazing in terms of skill, but my heart belongs to 80s/90s/00s hockey.

[@militant_daisies]

right there with you friend. well said

[@jtm12180]

The look on Austin’s face is how we all felt watching that #66 banner come down

[@michael.tmclean2095]

Always my favorite player. Even decade in a half reretirement

[@nomercy43]

I can’t believe that’s a young Auston Matthews. Time flies!

[@jtm12180]

@@nomercy43 - no, that’s Lemieux’ kid

[@Mangold2865]

@@nomercy43 😂😂😂 that’s Austin LEMIEUX

[@SuperTugz]

So true story: Austin Lemieux once asked a TV reporter "Was my dad a good hockey player?" He had never actually seen his dad play. This was the biggest motivation for him Mario to return

[@crowlee5111]

One of the greatest days in hockey lore. Mario made no excuses. He played the game with grace and had the best career for the adversities that were handed to him. No man on gods green earth today could have done what he did on the ice and off the ice which was save the penguins from extinction. This man saved Kevin Steven's more than once and many other teammates going through hard times. He never gave up on you so don't give up on him.

[@shanewm7837]

100% agree, this was magic. Only comparable moment I can think of was when Koivu came back from having cancer for the habs years later.

[@jtm12180]

I’ve looked for this footage so many times over the years. Thank you!!! One of my biggest regrets was not pulling the trigger and buying tickets to this game in early December. I knew we’d be up there for Christmas and had a strange feeling this was the game he was going to return. They were going for $1,000 a piece on the open market

[@chuckhayes]

Was there in 4th row. One of my top sports memories.

[@pussydestroyer87]

I got lucky. I have a friend who is a leafs fan so we always went to the game when they came to town.

[@oscarrhe9491]

Amazing to think that during this game the Leafs were only 33 years from their last Stanley Cup.

[@SethFinberg]

Extremely underrated comment lol

[@Outta-hz1ej]

Absolutely uncalled for drive-by stray

[@raymondyu412]

Mario Lemieux come back in 2000 inspired Michael Jordan to come back the following year.

[@michaelmacintyre6996]

The way Bob Cole yells “OOOOOHHHHH, BABY!”, miss you, Bob!

[@cwp2580]

I loved his "Detroyitt Red Wings!"

[@crowlee5111]

Only one player in the history could have done what he done and that makes him forever magnificent. Once in a lifetime player.

[@chrisheffernan7540]

As a Leafs fan growing up my two favorite players growing up were Gretzky followed by Lemieux. It was a very emotional night in hockey as I remember like it was yesterday.

[@isthiswherewecamein]

Anybody else remember when hockey gave you chills? I was on my way home from hospital with my wife, and had to pull car over on the day he announced he was coming back. I was shaking so much i couldnt drive. My 9 month pregnant wife had to drive rest of the way. I told her, i was just excited about our sons upcoming birth, and it had just hit me. Lol, she wasnt buying it!!!

[@Outta-hz1ej]

I would not be bragging about this one bro 😂

[@isthiswherewecamein]

@Outta-hz1ej if you can't grab the half sarcasm in this, don't know what to tell ya bud. But, I was extremely excited about Mario coming back. And my wife drive because she knew I was excited and wanted to give me a chance to listen to the radio. And....blah blah...in saying that, it is easily the most exciting sporting moment of my life!!! More than any single play, or any comeback, or whatever It was the same jfeeling you have as a little kid, in the weeks leading up to Christmas and waiting on Santa's arrival!!! And he definitely didn't take ling to deliver!!! Anyways, I'm guessing you wasn't either a penguin fan or more likely old enough to remember Mario, so that's probably why you don't quit understand the impact he had on pittsburgh and hockey. He showed people how to overcome adversity, time and time again. Showed how to win and lose with grace. Just an unbelievable role model. I believe if their were more role models like him there'd be less rude young people today. But who knows.

[@Poundcakebowler]

The version I’ve been looking for. Tina Turner- Simply the Best

[@seanm.wilson8730]

I'll never forget watching this live on tv. Mario was something else. Should have won MVP that yr in only 43 games.

[@JimmyFunkytown]

This was the moment that started my hockey career. I was walking through Khols with my brother, and I hear the mention of Super Mario. Being a Nintendo kid, I looked up and stood in amusement. Brother kept walking, I stayed watching. Brother signed me up behind my moms back later that month as a screw you, because she never let him play.

[@lelouchvibritannia4028]

W brother.

[@robertosavard6750]

Je me souviens de ce match. Jamais je l aurais manqué pour rien au monde. Mario a toujours ete mon preferé et pour moi il demeurera le plus grand talent et le p,us grand de la LNH

[@24theMoney]

This was amazing. Incredible comeback.

[@luvslogistics1725]

Incredible season he had, even shortened, playing thru injury and saving the franchise and still dominating. The greatest for me. I’m a war veteran with a bad back and hip, that pain is debilitating and I used to play hockey all the way until college…so I can’t imagine what he must of gone through most days.

[@colony8915]

Lemieux gets a point in 15 seconds. Sounds about right. Would of lead the league for 14 straight seasons in scoring by ppg metric if he wasn't injured.

[@ricketycricket4361]

This one of my favourite games of all time and I’m a leafs fan lmao

[@bipolarpunt5721]

As a Leaf Fan, I love watching Mario, so smooth, effortless, makes it look easy.

[@Canadas_Very_Own]

I like how even the dudes in Leafs jerseys were cheering for Mario after that goal.

[@durstdrouin7545]

Top 3 player of all time.

[@yaniktydetmer4153]

Merci Mario

[@johncenter4858]

A lot of his goals looked so easy. Cause he was always at the right place, reading the game so perfectly.

[@jo12danjames]

the best I've ever seen . his name literally translates to :the best:

[@barryallen827]

What a Legend!

[@joshkamons5627]

As a kid growing up in Western PA, I imagined that Roberto would be the greatest sports icon/humanitarian of my lifetime. I was wrong.

[@andrewsutherland3293]

Maybe the most purely gifted player there ever was.

[@joshkamons5627]

Why maybe? Was! Could probably still get a point a night at his age!

[@Thewayfehrer]

That bowl cut, top notch

[@bryansutherland9848]

The goat 🐐

[@Stgangle]

so he came back just to show his kid he played hockey and was pretty good hahaha

[@davew4377]

I remember watching this game live

[@encycl07pedia-]

Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux were the only players I knew before I started following the NHL last year.

[@SuperTugz]

Well I urge you to look up Bobby Orr and Gordy Howe, along with Wayne and Mario those are INARGUABLY the top 4 ever

[@encycl07pedia-]

@@SuperTugz Thanks for the tip! They all seem like extraordinary players. Gordie Howe's longevity is incredible. I can't imagine a pro playing with his sons on the ice. Bobby Orr just seemed to make incredible play routine.

[@billybob2716]

Greatest of all time

[@Steelburgh]

That was an absolutely magical night.

[@simonmarshall19]

I was happy when Super Mario return to the nhl .

[@kbp341]

Super Mario indeed

[@Djjoeyd1167]

Could not stand Mario & the Pens(Hey,Capitals fan here lol) But now? Tears watching this! What an awesome first game back after 3 years of not playing… Decades later, I am so glad I got to see Mario play, Gretzky play… Mike Bossy, Guy Lafleur… All three Šťastný brothers playing together..With Peter the best by far.. & Jari Kurri, who I actually did like back then.. All players that at the time they were playing, could not stand them(Again except for Kurri)because they always killed the capitals 😂 I laugh now..because I’m so glad that I got to see these players play and they were all awesome! ❤❤❤

[@bipolarpunt5721]

Unbelievable, makes it look so easy.

[@Mangold2865]

Simply the Best

[@michaeltavali5597]

everytime that guy touched the puck he was dangerous

[@schnypa]

Came back here on the news of Tina Turner's death. I remember the day so well that I knew I'd find her music here.

[@hugh2hoob668]

Listen to that crowd 😮

[@satyr69]

all time best!

[@Lynx-lh9it]

Tears

[@SingaporeFriedrice]

Look at how Jagr moved back in the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DGrafov]

Anybody else noticed how Mario comes out onto the ice before Slegr (71)....just like Sid these days before Malking (71). I wonder if it's a coincidence...

[@ckendall67]

Here watching this following the announcement of Tina Turner's passing. The Penguins always played her song 'Simply The Best' for Mario Lemieux.

[@LeoWhalen1933]

9:28 look who is clapping. That says it all about Super Mario.

[@TaageVanu]

Who?

[@kurtmanning2667]

Back when no one wore visors

[@cole_harbour_sports_cards]

The only game i can remember when leaf nation was fine losing. These were the Leaf broadcasters.

[@daved1535]

I'll never forget this game because a buddy and i won $500 each betting on the Penguins. Easiest bet i ever made. I still wish i had put more money down on this game

[@chriscreaturo8809]

I don't know if that first goal counts today but I feel the war room still calls it a good goal

[@petrahohaus9752]

Mario war der 2beste Spieler Seiner SPIELZEIT WAYNE GRETZKY IS THE GREAT ONE ❤❤❤❤

[@babouska5985]

No Lemieux first ,Gretzky confessed it

[@pattaccone]

I miss bob cole and harry Neale Kind of sick of Simpson / Cuthbert

[@PrettycoolRYEGUY]

❤

[@stoopsyo]

Jagr is coming back. Mark my words i been saying it since 2019😊

[@acleverusername4866]

The Leafs had no chance in this game, even before it started. And they probably all knew it.

[@francoisgrenier6681]

Lemieuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuux

[@AndrewBergey]

Keystone cops

[@jaygee1616]

Second best hockey player ever

[@tonyvac5026]

There you go, Tina confirmed 66 was the Best.

[@broadstreet21]

Penguins need him behind the bench, coaching Sidney Crosby.

[@adampratt1925]

Sid lived with Mario after he got drafted. Mario is basically his uncle at this point, or a big brother.

[@broadstreet21]

@@adampratt1925 Yeah, well the Pens are slipping. Maybe it's time Mario coached them.

[@joeytrees]

Jan hrdina backhand roof!

[@BRUTALB0RIS]

It had to be the Leafs !! ha ha!!

[@petrahohaus9752]

❤❤❤😅😅😅😅

[@courtneygillespie1187]

Don't you and Keanu Reeves have an epic movie to do? Green Arrow the Robin Hood of Seattle?

[@kurtmanning2667]

Too bad players don’t wear visors anymore

[@PILLUHOLISTI69]

How shit was that defence of shittsburgh Ian moran playin 1.pair

[@crowjones78]

You’re so cool

[@seankramer1270]

Got to appreciate the announcement. Lost his battle

[@MacAttack1776]

I had that stick :)

[@MacAttack1776]

Anyone else notice Mario being followed onto the ice by another 71? Kinda weird foreshadowing..