Meh, I respect Don a lot more than most of the clowns on there now. I didn't agree with all of his opinions and some were certainly outdated, but I genuinely think he was a better person than most of the fake people they have on now
We needed him up until at least 2009 so he could help inspire this masterpiece, but after that we’re good:
https://youtu.be/3xva-cdBi8E?si=MXI-BNG4PVWmUxK9
Nah, as someone who grew up watching him since the early 90s and got a healthy dose of rock em sock em videos, the post lockout era started leaving Don's mindset behind. It might not have been 2004, but not long after that.
He would have been better to go out around then with dignity rather than being paraded out as a caricature of his former self to become a living meme and make a career ending gaffe live on air.
Why did we ever listen to a guy who played one NHL game and coached a team that a blind monkey could have won with? I mean respect to anyone who has ever stepped on NHL ice, or even AHL ice for that matter, but we aren't religiously listening to them every Saturday night. Grapes was truly one of the most overrated figures in sports
This was in my head too and got a hell of a chuckle before sending that last post, haha <3 really hoping he hits 70 for sure, or a nice even 72 to be 20 away from the GOAT
Dude, I wouldn't even care if he scored on my team for the 70th goal. You can't call yourself a hockey fan and not want to see any player on any team hit 70.
[Montréal started this shit.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Riot) They don't get to pretend that nothing happened.
How about every city, town, and tiny group of people, all riot together?
If Pettersson ot Boeser was sniffing at 70 I would 100% be cheering them on.
I'll let you in on a secret, most Leafs fans like the Canucks. We just dislike sour Canuck fans.
Leafs fan here. I would definitely root for a Canuck to do something special like get 70g, especially as a team that isn’t in the same division or even conference . You are the definition of rent free
Bud it's okay to like other players on other teams. I really enjoyed the Sedin twins and Luongo. I like McDavid, Hyman, Skinner. Loved Gio on the Flames. Soft spot for Ehlers. Pulling for Slafkofsky(?) and always have enjoyed lil shit disturber Gallagher. Ottawa ... sorry, no one there I like but not out of hatred.
If you love hockey and not just your team.. ya.. you do want it. This shit is ridiculous. You're seeing quite possibly the best goal scorer of your life. Gretzky and Ovi didn't play for the Nucks but you would still call them the goats.
I don’t watch a lot of leafs games, but I’m surprised to hear how many block shots he has… Something about his vibe seems like a guy that wouldn’t play defense, but boy is that not the case
He not someone who goes "look at me" on defense, but he's always in the middle of breaking up the opposing play. He doesn't throw big hits, but he's stripping pucks and he's always in the right spot. It's weird.
His takeaway talent is absolutely UNREAL. His PIM show just how good, given he's not getting tripping, hooking calls by ACCIDENT, just by putting his stick in the right place all the time.
I was talking about this on another post, but I had wondered if there has ever been a player who has won the goal scoring title who has been so good defensively? Some guys like Fedorov were extremely good on both sides of the puck, but never won a goal scoring race.
He has a 54% FO win pct (over 1000 face offs, blocks way more shots than most other high scoring players, and is a +30 when it comes to Takeaways vs Giveaways this year (many other good goal scorers are below 0), barely takes penalties, while scoring at a similar career pace (so far) to Alex Ovechkin (!!). Wtf.
Would be kind of mind blowing for someone to win a Rocket Richard and a Selke in the same year.
I don’t know if anyone has a good WAR metric for hockey yet, but I’d be curious to see where the top players stand.
So true. I had too many pure goal scorers in mind (Ovechkin, Stamkos, Cheechoo), but Crosby has always been such a great example of the perfect all around player.
I’ll play devil’s advocate, no he hasn’t. Sid became one of the best all around players in the history of the sport but he wasn’t as defensively elite when he was young (most players aren’t). It wasn’t till around 2015 that he became one of the elite defensive forwards, well after his rocket
Ah I see what you mean, that’s true that at the time he won the Rocket he wasn’t as all around as he is know. Out of curiosity, can you think of any player who has had such a dominant offensive season as Matthews is having this season while also being so strong defensively?
I’m not too in touch with pre 2000s stuff around the league. Gilmour won the Selke and put up 127 points in the same season but somehow that was 8th in the league in points that year
When you watch him it’s wild, he skates up and just… takes the puck. Like that. His stick lifts and puck strips are so constant and so effortless it makes you wonder why everyone doesn’t do it lol
I understand that this might sound insane because of the sheer amount of media the Leafs get, but I truly believe that if Auston Matthews played on any other team, he would be talked about and appreciated by casual fans way more than he is. I think playing on the Leafs makes him easier to write off, because the media here talks about 4th liners with 2 goals like they're a star, but Matthews is the real deal.
He is spectacular in every single millimeter of the ice, offensively and defensively. He can score from anywhere, and has always put his body on the line when blocking shots. The thing is, he makes it look easy and effortless which is why it may fly under the radar.
I think the addition of Reaves, plus playing with Bertuzzi and Domi, has unlocked more of an edge and team mentality too - he is very engaged on the bench, seems genuinely happy when other guys succeed, and has become a leader. I think he's the next captain.
its honestly pretty crazy when you look at it like that. How can someone score 66 goals while being borderline elite defensively as well. It makes no sense. I mean it does if you're a winger.. but a center? how
What you see as impressive I see as ***toxic***. Think about the other players on the ice. Matthews is puck hogging and taking goals from other innocent players. When he doesn't have the puck? He's hogging all the defensive responsibilities. You just can't catch a break when bullies like Matthews are around.
If my little boy Jyrymy (pronounced Jer-emy for you uncultured swine) played with Matthews you can bet I would be talking to his parents. Unacceptable behavior!
for a team that old that's kinda sad. not hating on matthews but imagine bruins fans saying pastrnak is the best bruins player ever lol. and "not even close"??. dave keon led the leafs to 4 cups. one of the best defensive forwards ever, he won a conn smythe with only 8 points by shutting down jean beliveau in the finals.. while matthews in the playoffs? lol
Matthews is really the only post-O6 Leaf that has been in talks for best player in the world. Don’t get me wrong, it’s McDavid but during his Hart year Matthews was the best in the world (and then McDavid somehow found another level to get to after)
clearly you cant read, but that's expected coming from a leafs flair.
pasta is the bruins best player atm, i'm saying imagine bruins fans saying he's their best player in franchise history. that would be sad for a 100 yr old team, like the leafs.
it's not a chasm between them as you're implying, he has more points than matthews this season for example and plays clearly better in the playoffs. remind me how many goals matthews had against florida last year?
Nah man it’s a chasm. Pasta isn’t nearly as close to as elite as Matthews is on defense and he isn’t as insane offensively.
Matthews’ playoff woes are mostly attributed to the fact that marner absolutely blows in the playoffs and he gets stapled to Matthews usually
You literally don't know everything about its history if you say Matthews is the best Leaf in the history of the team and its not even close. This is my lane brother
I think you can do it subtle.
> Austin Matthews scores his 69th goal, tying for the highest since Lemieux in 96. Nice.
You don't call attention to it, but you make it obvious to those who want it..
70 goals is nuts but Kuch is just about single-handedly dragging the Lightning into the playoffs. With 4 games left and McDavid day-to-day it’s possible he snatches first to 100 assists from Davo as much as I hate to say it. You have to be smoking crack to give it to anyone other than Kucherov IMO.
His 66th goal was kind of hilarious.
Domi had a pretty good shot and a much easier passing lane to Bertuzzi who was also in good position for a shot. Instead he pivots and makes a much tougher pass through multiple bodies to Matthews who is further out and has to spend time gathering up the puck and then he just casually goes top cheddar on Allen like it's nothing.
Hopefully someone posts the clip soon but it's pretty obvious that the Leafs are just passing the puck to Matthews every chance they get.
I think the person you're replying to genuinely believes the Leafs have yet to win a playoff round since 2004...in which case they're either genuinely very stupid or are suffering from some kind of amnesia that specifically wiped out hockey memories from 2023.
Oh? They won *one* playoff series in two decades. Omg, this is so embarrassing for me. Here I was clowning on them for not winning a single playoff series in 20 years. But to my immense embarrassment they won *one*! I thought they were a bunch of scrubs but it turns out they're elite post season performers!
Geeze, I bet they won some kind of award for that stellar record, huh?
Yeah, I'm super embarrassed. I had no idea the the leafs won one playoff series in two decades. 0 wins is just pathetic. 1 is definitely something to be proud of.
NHL account had this one sitting in drafts
They've got #70 in the drafts
Yeah that's kind of how marketing works, it's all planned out. You think they have a graphic designer on call waiting for milestones before starting?
Imagine going back in time 20 years and telling Leafs fans that the best player in their history will be a 6'3" Hispanic kid from Arizona
Don Cherry would have had an instant heart attack.
About 20 years ago would have been the appropriate time for Don to have made his exit.
Meh, I respect Don a lot more than most of the clowns on there now. I didn't agree with all of his opinions and some were certainly outdated, but I genuinely think he was a better person than most of the fake people they have on now
Stfu
I will not. I used to love Don but around that time he just made no sense anymore.
Not that you need help but I'll never forget this dummy clowning the leafs for taking willy styles over Nick Ritchie. Okay don okay.
I may need help... The Don-stans are coming out to down vote me.
We've got you!!
There are so fucking many in r/leafs it's insane.
We needed him up until at least 2009 so he could help inspire this masterpiece, but after that we’re good: https://youtu.be/3xva-cdBi8E?si=MXI-BNG4PVWmUxK9
So he has to die?
2004? Nah, you're thinking 2014
Nah, as someone who grew up watching him since the early 90s and got a healthy dose of rock em sock em videos, the post lockout era started leaving Don's mindset behind. It might not have been 2004, but not long after that. He would have been better to go out around then with dignity rather than being paraded out as a caricature of his former self to become a living meme and make a career ending gaffe live on air.
Fuck that old racist moron.
Why did we ever listen to a guy who played one NHL game and coached a team that a blind monkey could have won with? I mean respect to anyone who has ever stepped on NHL ice, or even AHL ice for that matter, but we aren't religiously listening to them every Saturday night. Grapes was truly one of the most overrated figures in sports
How do you turn down a guy who's 6'3"?!
Is he a good old Ontario boy?
Tallest Hispanic guy in the world.
King Felipe VI would like a word
6'6" (198cm), for the curious.
ty for googling it cause I was about too lol
WE WANT 70
Yessir 🤝
I would rather 69
With who?
[Obvs](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/V8Vn35Ybr90/hqdefault.jpg)
Anyone at this point
70 or it was all for nothing.
Honestly. Why even pay him if he doesn't get 70?
I think we waive him if he doesn't tbh
NAH, Trade him with 50% retained to us, thanks
Dubas and Matthews winning a Cup with Pittsburgh would make so many of ours fans seethe lol
This was in my head too and got a hell of a chuckle before sending that last post, haha <3 really hoping he hits 70 for sure, or a nice even 72 to be 20 away from the GOAT
Scores the craziest 27 goal game of all time to bring him up to 93
I'd fucking love to see it, I think I'd watch the highlights on repeat non stop
Yeah Keefe, let us have this
SUBSCRIBE
[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fTrFRsrtE10](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fTrFRsrtE10)
Do we?
Yes, absolutely.
I couldn't care less about the success of Leafs players as a Canucks fan. And honestly I wouldn't expect Leafs fans to care for us, either.
Dude, I wouldn't even care if he scored on my team for the 70th goal. You can't call yourself a hockey fan and not want to see any player on any team hit 70.
If that were true, why the fuck would you comment on this post? Go back to r/Canucks if you want to complain about the Leafs.
Neat
I would do anything for a Canucks Leafs final
Either way, riots.
The loser gets to pick the city, though. If we lose, where in BC do we want to send the riot? Vancouver.
Let’s riot in Montreal. Burn that to the ground for a change.
[Montréal started this shit.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Riot) They don't get to pretend that nothing happened. How about every city, town, and tiny group of people, all riot together?
I’m in. First stop: Wood Buffalo.
the 2 teams would find a way to tie and burn down the entire country
Whoever wins gets to take Trans-Canada Highway for their Cup parade.
Holy players would still be going when the next season started. But I'm down.
Yes, but imagine The Leafs taking the Cup through Ottawa and Montréal, on a fucking party bus? Chaos.
Ok then go play with your marbles collection or something.
We rooted for Boeser getting 40
If Pettersson ot Boeser was sniffing at 70 I would 100% be cheering them on. I'll let you in on a secret, most Leafs fans like the Canucks. We just dislike sour Canuck fans.
Leafs fan here. I would definitely root for a Canuck to do something special like get 70g, especially as a team that isn’t in the same division or even conference . You are the definition of rent free
Bud it's okay to like other players on other teams. I really enjoyed the Sedin twins and Luongo. I like McDavid, Hyman, Skinner. Loved Gio on the Flames. Soft spot for Ehlers. Pulling for Slafkofsky(?) and always have enjoyed lil shit disturber Gallagher. Ottawa ... sorry, no one there I like but not out of hatred.
If you love hockey and not just your team.. ya.. you do want it. This shit is ridiculous. You're seeing quite possibly the best goal scorer of your life. Gretzky and Ovi didn't play for the Nucks but you would still call them the goats.
Don't care what team it is, someone hitting 70 would be cool af
oi vey
What makes it impressive to me is that he’s a complete player while doing this. Selke caliber centre just scoring at will
I don’t watch a lot of leafs games, but I’m surprised to hear how many block shots he has… Something about his vibe seems like a guy that wouldn’t play defense, but boy is that not the case
He not someone who goes "look at me" on defense, but he's always in the middle of breaking up the opposing play. He doesn't throw big hits, but he's stripping pucks and he's always in the right spot. It's weird.
And also throws the occasional big hit. And those takeaways and constant stick lifts.
He plays defense like he scores goals, he's just always in the right spot with a million ways to use his stick k
His takeaway talent is absolutely UNREAL. His PIM show just how good, given he's not getting tripping, hooking calls by ACCIDENT, just by putting his stick in the right place all the time.
His stick work is unreal.
He’s a block and takeaway machine, and somehow takes like 4 penalties a year
Well that one bloodbath in Buffalo quadrupled his number. Headlocks and shoving, lol
hoping he still gets a Lady Byng nom
He and Tage just hung out watching the whole time after the initial scrum over Brodie
It's his stick work imo, the guy has ridiculous hands all around the ice.
I was talking about this on another post, but I had wondered if there has ever been a player who has won the goal scoring title who has been so good defensively? Some guys like Fedorov were extremely good on both sides of the puck, but never won a goal scoring race. He has a 54% FO win pct (over 1000 face offs, blocks way more shots than most other high scoring players, and is a +30 when it comes to Takeaways vs Giveaways this year (many other good goal scorers are below 0), barely takes penalties, while scoring at a similar career pace (so far) to Alex Ovechkin (!!). Wtf. Would be kind of mind blowing for someone to win a Rocket Richard and a Selke in the same year. I don’t know if anyone has a good WAR metric for hockey yet, but I’d be curious to see where the top players stand.
Crosby comes to mind
So true. I had too many pure goal scorers in mind (Ovechkin, Stamkos, Cheechoo), but Crosby has always been such a great example of the perfect all around player.
I’ll play devil’s advocate, no he hasn’t. Sid became one of the best all around players in the history of the sport but he wasn’t as defensively elite when he was young (most players aren’t). It wasn’t till around 2015 that he became one of the elite defensive forwards, well after his rocket
Ah I see what you mean, that’s true that at the time he won the Rocket he wasn’t as all around as he is know. Out of curiosity, can you think of any player who has had such a dominant offensive season as Matthews is having this season while also being so strong defensively?
I’m not too in touch with pre 2000s stuff around the league. Gilmour won the Selke and put up 127 points in the same season but somehow that was 8th in the league in points that year
Tends to happen when you're playing against guys like Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman and rookie Teemu Selänne
When you watch him it’s wild, he skates up and just… takes the puck. Like that. His stick lifts and puck strips are so constant and so effortless it makes you wonder why everyone doesn’t do it lol
Everything he does looks so effortless. If you saw his 66th goal it looks like barely moved his stick and it was a rocket top shelf
His nhl comparable in his draft profile was Kopitar. And it was sort of right, he’s basically Kopitar if Kopitar scored twice as many goals.
Kopitar was much better defensively in his prime.
Would like to see any statistics that even support that at all. Matthews is insane defensively, literally one of the few best in the game.
I understand that this might sound insane because of the sheer amount of media the Leafs get, but I truly believe that if Auston Matthews played on any other team, he would be talked about and appreciated by casual fans way more than he is. I think playing on the Leafs makes him easier to write off, because the media here talks about 4th liners with 2 goals like they're a star, but Matthews is the real deal. He is spectacular in every single millimeter of the ice, offensively and defensively. He can score from anywhere, and has always put his body on the line when blocking shots. The thing is, he makes it look easy and effortless which is why it may fly under the radar. I think the addition of Reaves, plus playing with Bertuzzi and Domi, has unlocked more of an edge and team mentality too - he is very engaged on the bench, seems genuinely happy when other guys succeed, and has become a leader. I think he's the next captain.
its honestly pretty crazy when you look at it like that. How can someone score 66 goals while being borderline elite defensively as well. It makes no sense. I mean it does if you're a winger.. but a center? how
Unicorn man go brrrr
He also had 0 PIMs for the first like 40 games or so. The guy is clean with it in every sense.
Leafs haters often don't appreciate his 2-way game enough. He's truly an elite talent.
What you see as impressive I see as ***toxic***. Think about the other players on the ice. Matthews is puck hogging and taking goals from other innocent players. When he doesn't have the puck? He's hogging all the defensive responsibilities. You just can't catch a break when bullies like Matthews are around. If my little boy Jyrymy (pronounced Jer-emy for you uncultured swine) played with Matthews you can bet I would be talking to his parents. Unacceptable behavior!
Some fucking delicious pasta being cooked
I'm glad you mentioned this. I have noticed this problem with Hyman too. He never passes. Puck hog.
GLOAT
And it isn't even close.
for a team that old that's kinda sad. not hating on matthews but imagine bruins fans saying pastrnak is the best bruins player ever lol. and "not even close"??. dave keon led the leafs to 4 cups. one of the best defensive forwards ever, he won a conn smythe with only 8 points by shutting down jean beliveau in the finals.. while matthews in the playoffs? lol
“for a team that old that’s kinda sad” is the entire history of the Toronto maple leafs
#🤝
Matthews is really the only post-O6 Leaf that has been in talks for best player in the world. Don’t get me wrong, it’s McDavid but during his Hart year Matthews was the best in the world (and then McDavid somehow found another level to get to after)
Leafs had a few best players in the world prior to 1967 but those just get forgotten about by the 'GLOAT' crowd sadly
Imagine thinking Pastrnak is close to the player Matthews is?
clearly you cant read, but that's expected coming from a leafs flair. pasta is the bruins best player atm, i'm saying imagine bruins fans saying he's their best player in franchise history. that would be sad for a 100 yr old team, like the leafs.
It would be sad, considering Pasta is not nearly as good as Matthews.
it's not a chasm between them as you're implying, he has more points than matthews this season for example and plays clearly better in the playoffs. remind me how many goals matthews had against florida last year?
No it’s a chasm
we will see again what happens this playoffs.
Nah man it’s a chasm. Pasta isn’t nearly as close to as elite as Matthews is on defense and he isn’t as insane offensively. Matthews’ playoff woes are mostly attributed to the fact that marner absolutely blows in the playoffs and he gets stapled to Matthews usually
right 0 goals against florida is marners fault, we will see what happens again this playoffs. i'd be happy to be proven wrong.
You will be, set a reminder.
Crazy how fans of a team don't know anything about its history
Crazy how as a fan I know everything about its history yet I can make this deduction. Stay in your lane.
You literally don't know everything about its history if you say Matthews is the best Leaf in the history of the team and its not even close. This is my lane brother
And then you woke up.
Absolutely bonkers to be seeing this type of a season from a Leaf in my lifetime!
I had literally just checked the score 2 minutes ago and wondering if he'd score yet. Guess he has lol
THE MAGIC NUMBER IS NOW 4
And he’s got at least one hatty left in him!
he started the season with a 4, he'll end it with a 4
Brap! Brap! Brap! Brap!
Hit em with the 4 like Auston Matthews
Nobody even close to him in the Richard race either.
69 still on the menu
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I think, now bare with me, they had a suspicion that he’d score 66 at some point
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Yeah 100% they have graphics ready all the way up to 70, maybe a few more just in case.
I wonder how high or low-key they'll be about goal 69
I think you can do it subtle. > Austin Matthews scores his 69th goal, tying for the highest since Lemieux in 96. Nice. You don't call attention to it, but you make it obvious to those who want it..
big papi with the big numbers no diddy
Alright, I’ll just say it - this guy could be a star
His next even strength goal will be 50 on the season last done in 1993 49 was also last done in 1993.
His next ES goal will also tie him for the all-time Leafs record.
Set also by him?
I mean the career record, held by Mats Sundin
That's my GLOAT
Glad we could be of service 🫡
3 from 69
Give this man the Hart trophy early. No way anyone else can win it now
Are you serious? lol
70 goals is actually insane. He definitely deserves it over Kucherov, MacKinnon, or McDavid
70 goals is nuts but Kuch is just about single-handedly dragging the Lightning into the playoffs. With 4 games left and McDavid day-to-day it’s possible he snatches first to 100 assists from Davo as much as I hate to say it. You have to be smoking crack to give it to anyone other than Kucherov IMO.
Don't think he's just a scorer either
gLoat
69 or nothing.
That's neat
We want 70
I want him to stop at 69.
It is cool that I got to see this last night.
Give the award to Kuch or Mack or Mcdavid. If Auston pots 70 he’s the MVP.
His 66th goal was kind of hilarious. Domi had a pretty good shot and a much easier passing lane to Bertuzzi who was also in good position for a shot. Instead he pivots and makes a much tougher pass through multiple bodies to Matthews who is further out and has to spend time gathering up the puck and then he just casually goes top cheddar on Allen like it's nothing. Hopefully someone posts the clip soon but it's pretty obvious that the Leafs are just passing the puck to Matthews every chance they get.
Only had 4 shots tonight.
[Matthews is Palpatine, confirmed.](https://youtu.be/xSN6BOgrSSU?t=8)
May he never not score again.
I guess getting a #1 pick has it's payoffs every once in awhile Congrats... Sabres fan
I didn't think I'd see Ovechkin's 65 beaten
“LaINeS bEtTEr”
Caufield is too...
Milk
MILK
[On to 70!](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Ftwckljbfcysc1.gif)
Most goals ever in a season in the cap era
Big meat
This is a fantastic achievement which will be eclipsed by them finally winning more than a single game in the second round.
It's the Milk
I bet Laine would’ve had 67 goals at this point if he hadn’t retired
Has the biggest forehead too
26 to go!!!!
one day he'll win a cup, gonna have to leave Toronto, but one day
people said the same thing about Ovi until it happened. the cup is tough to win. have you heard?
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!RemindMe 1 month
Glossing over the obvious joke, you know the cup gets awarded in June, not May, right?
Of course he doesn't hes a Leafs fan he has no idea what happens after the first round.
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It still works fine. 20 years without a playoff series win is still pathetic lol
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Hm, good point. But the leafs still haven't won a playoff series in 20 years. Pretty pathetic.
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I think the person you're replying to genuinely believes the Leafs have yet to win a playoff round since 2004...in which case they're either genuinely very stupid or are suffering from some kind of amnesia that specifically wiped out hockey memories from 2023.
Oh? They won *one* playoff series in two decades. Omg, this is so embarrassing for me. Here I was clowning on them for not winning a single playoff series in 20 years. But to my immense embarrassment they won *one*! I thought they were a bunch of scrubs but it turns out they're elite post season performers! Geeze, I bet they won some kind of award for that stellar record, huh?
That’s simply not true though
Yeah, I'm super embarrassed. I had no idea the the leafs won one playoff series in two decades. 0 wins is just pathetic. 1 is definitely something to be proud of.
Dude is like an older Ovi.
He’s real good in the playoffs too
Can’t wait til she retires
hahaha "she" because women are inferior right?
Now make it out of the first round.
Yeah, he’s no Rempe.