My name is
Joey Bird.
I was born
and raised
in Brighton,
Ontario, Canada.
I had a great
childhood.
The beach is
beautiful there.
Its people are all
friendly and all we did
from the moment I could
walk is play hockey.
On the streets, on the
pond, in the back yard..
I loved it.
Then everything came to
a halt when my mom died.
It seemed like my
dad kind of blamed me.
So all we had between
the two of us was hockey.
Didn't talk much.
He started drowning
himself in self-pity
by drinking and
just being a nasty,
sarcastic
individual.
But all we had
was ourselves.
I kept playing hockey
and I got drafted at 18
by the Cincinnati
Cheetahs in the States.
Sometimes you get lucky
and people embrace it.
And sometimes
you get lucky
and people
disgrace it.
I disgraced it.
I started drinking
and doing drugs
and basically
fucked my career up.
But Mr. Brown, the
owner of the team,
for whatever reason
just tried to help me.
But my dad
washed his hands
and basically
turned his back.
This is my story about
the game that I love..
hockey.
I wonder why
sometimes I cry
I wonder why
some day I'll die
I wonder why I
just can't fly
I wonder
all the time
I wonder why I
just can't see
I wonder why
you just left me
Am I the one
that only sees
I wonder
Some day I'll be
a better person
I know that
I can be
Just give me a
chance to find me
I wonder
Sometimes I wonder
what it could be
Sometimes I wonder if
I was better than me
Sometimes I wonder if
I was someone else
Lou, I understand you
believe in this kid.
But you gotta
trust me...
a snake may shed its
skin but not its habits.
-Jesus Christ.
Come on, Derek.
I had to do something
and this is what I did.
It was my choice
to do it, I did it.
And it's your choice to
make, I understand, Lou.
But you brought
me on this team
to make a winning
team out of it.
For 38 years
we've had a dry run.
Look, I brought you on
this team because I knew
you could do the job
and you've done it.
You've brought
me to the point
where I want
to be with it.
But I own this
fucking team!
And I want to
get him here!
How I get him,
I don't know.
I've been looking all
over for the fucking guy.
But I do believe in
him, alright, Derek?
I do believe-
It's the
seventh game!
We could take the
championship and you're
gambling everybody's
hopes and dreams
on this wild kid!
Derek, I signed this
guy to 20 years
of his
contract, alright?
He worked for me
for ten years.
I continued to pay
his salary because
I believed
in this kid.
This kid earned a second
chance with me because
we might not have
won a championship
but he brought us to
the fucking playoffs
ten fucking
years in a row!
It's my fucking fault
we didn't win, okay?
Maybe I did something
wrong, but not him.
I fucking
believe in him.
I believe in him!
I believe he's
gonna do it
and I'll die
thinking that.
Lou, it's
your team.
It's your money,
you own it.
But every player
on this team..
their hearts,
their dreams
are gambling on
your choice-
I believe that Joey Bird
will fly high again!
Period!
End of story,
I'm outta here.


Kid? Kid!
[sighs]



Big sports news
out of Cincinnati.
Cheetahs owner Louis
Brown has lost his mind
over Joey Bird.
Bird, you may recall,
the disgraced goalie from
nearly two decades ago
is now in for game seven.
Brown should have
never signed this guy
to a contract for 20
years in the first place.
It's a disgrace.
When you run a
sports franchise,
you can't think
with your heart.
You have to think
with your brain
and your
pocketbook.
I think this goes back
to his personal life.
Brown lost his son
to heroin and suicide
years ago, and I
think he was trying to
mentor the kid
because of that sad
and dark experience
with his son.
And what does
he get for it?
This sad and
dark experience.
Joe, I'm sorry. I'm
disappointed in you.
Are you
running for mayor?
Mr. Brown has done
his best to bring a
championship team and for
you to refer to his son..
that's grossly
unfair.
[knocking]
Joey!
There's
someone at the door!
[knocking]
Joey!
[knocking]
Lou! Hi!
Come on in.
Joanne..
you're the last person
I expected to be here.
-Yeah, me too.
Is Joey here?
-Yeah. Joey!
Joey!
-Didn't I tell you not to
open that fucking door?
But it's
Lou Brown!
He's the same guy,
eh? Never changes.
-No, consistent.
How are you
feeling? Good?
I am, yeah.
I'm good.
-You look great.
Mr. Brown...
You didn't forget
me then, huh?
Good seeing
you, kid.
Look, uh.. Excuse
me, Joanne,
but could you see me
over at the restaurant
in 30 minutes? I'd
like to talk to you.
-Across the street?
Yeah, across the
street. Okay?
-Absolutely.

[knocking]
Hi Joey, you
want anything?
-I'm good.
Uh, look. I do lots
of favors for people
and I'm not accustomed
to asking favors,
but I'm gonna ask
you for a favor.
-Anything.
I want you
to play.
-Play what?
[laughs]
Uh.. "play what?"
We're in the seventh game
of the championships,
you know that.
-Yes.
I want you to
play in that game.
-Ask me anything
but that.
Mr. Brown, I haven't
played pro hockey
in about 15 years.
I'm gonna
embarrass you
and I'm gonna
embarrass myself.
Everybody's
gonna hate my guts.
Joey, you're
on my payroll.
-Yes, and I
appreciate it.
And I'm asking
you as a favor
to play in
that game.
I need it.
Can you give
me a chance to
think about it
today, please?
We signed a 20-year
contract, you and I.
And I kept paying. I
kept paying because
nobody else
would hire you.
But I did.
I'm asking you
for a favor.
You've got to commit
to me right now
that you will
do the game.
I need you.
-I'll do
the game.
You're gonna
do it?
-Yes.
I have your word?
-You have
my word.
That's why I
love you, kid.
I'd like you to go
over to the rink
8:00 am tomorrow.
I want him to look
you over and then
let me know what it's
gonna cost me for the
additional insurance to
put you back on the ice.
I have to do that,
you know that.
I'm a
businessman.
Get some rest.
You're sure you
don't want something?
-Thanks, Mr. Brown.
Okay. Joey?
Get some rest,
you look tired.
See you later.
-Okay.
Listen, he's hated.
Fans hate this guy.
He hates his
own guts.
He's the poster
boy for a loser.
I'll tell
you what.
If this guy can
do anything right,
it's beyond me.
How is this guy
gonna get in that net
- against the
New York 21s,
one of the best teams
ever put on the ice
- in the championship
game and stop the puck?
I say no.
I have a feeling, Joe,
that they won't hate him
after the game.
This guy has put his
reputation on the line
and he's got a young
guy that can play goal.
We'll see what
happens come game time.

I just gotta wonder
why you put me under
Hey, Joe.
-What?
You see it?
Wow!
-Alright!
Ho ho ho!
Tough.
Whoa!
Dammit.
-A fucking
gutter ball.
-Whoa, I can't
stay up.

Hi! So what
did he say?
I think
he's crazy.
He, uh.. wants
me to play..
-Play what?
..wants me to play
in game seven
of the
championship.
-Well, what are
you gonna do?
I don't know.
And I don't know
how to say no.
He's been
really good to me.
-Where are
you going?
Um.. I'm gonna
go see my dad.
Why? Your dad is
the Dr. Kevorkian
of motivational
speakers.
Why do you still
smoke? Really?
Thank you
for noticing.
Well, I
covered both sides.
-Got left
and right.
Let's see
a double.
Let's see you
double up.
-I can't do any
worse than that.
Come on.
[pins falling]
Ho ho ho!
-You've got
it going!
You've got a perfect
game going, man.


[ringing]
Come on, Joey.
Hey, it's
Joey Bird.
I'm not here,
leave a message.

One pin!
One dime!
You got one.
[laughing]
That's better.
-Hook!
[pins falling]
That's better.
Better.
-Pretty shitty.
Alright, you're
going for a turkey.
-I know, I
know, I know.
-You got it..
Oh!
Son of a bitch!
The worst kind
of split.

[ringing]
Hey, I'm not here,
it's Joey Bird,
leave a message.
Fuck! Fuck!
Hey, Joe!
Joey's here.
Hey, hey! Kid!
[mumbling]
You in
trouble again?
-No, no. Um..
came to ask
your advice.
-What advice?
Lou Brown, the owner of
the Cincinnati Cheetahs,
uh.. came to see me
and asked me to play.
-Play what?
Game seven
this Sunday.
-Don't play.
You know why?
'Cause you're
a loser.
I'm a loser. Your
uncle's a loser.
Your grandfather
was a loser.
The only difference
between you and us
is you get paid
to be a loser.
Thanks dad.
Hey, don't listen to
that nasty old dog.
He buried his bone a
hundred years ago and
he can't remember
where the fuck it is.
You go play
the game.
You're a winner.
-Thanks.
Joey! I've been
trying to call you.
-Why?
Why didn't you
pick up your phone?
-Why should I
pick up my phone?
I was worried.
-About me?
Yeah.
-That's new.
Anyways.. Let's
get out of here.
I always worry
about you.
What did he
say to you?
-Does it matter?
Yes, it does.
What did he
say to you?
-Let's go.
Okay, just
wait here.
-Don't.
Just wait here.
We're going
home together.
What did you
say to him?
-The truth.
You don't know
anything about the truth.
-What, did I
hurt his feelings?
What is he,
a pussy?
No. My husband's
no pussy.
But I'll tell
you one thing.
You're a cunt.
Come on.
Let's go.
Can't you take
a day off?
-What? I'm retired.
From being
an asshole.
-What is it with
everybody today?
Personally, Joe, I
see this as a script
for a
Hollywood movie.
Only in Hollywood can
this kind of crap happen.
The only Hollywood movie
I see happening here
is a disaster
movie.
And there will be
a disaster because
this is real life and what
you're going to see here
is real life and
he will crap out
and take the
championship with him.
I wonder why
sometimes I cry
I wonder why
someday I'll die
I wonder why I
just can't fly
I wonder all
the time
I wonder why I
just can't see
I wonder why
you just left me
Am I the one
that only sees
I wonder
Lou, I don't know
where to start.
You know I'm not
only a journalist,
I'm also a fan.
I've been a fan of this
guy for so many years.
Tom, how long have
we known each other?
-Many years.
People didn't
believe you.
They called you somebody
who was not willing
to win a
championship.
-Wait a minute.
You're one of the guys
who didn't believe in me.
-I believed in you.
I believed in Joey.
Yeah, but out
of the 38 years
you were here
with me about 15.
-And I always
believed, like you,
in his skill set.
I always thought he
had the best technique.
Brilliant goaltender, he
tanks for many years,
people think you should
get a better goaltender.
You stuck with him.
I signed a 20-year
contract with him.
You know that.
-Yeah.
And he left me
after 15 years
because he had that
problem as you know.
Tom, you covered
it. You were there.
Also, I want to
congratulate you
and thank you
very much
for the way that
you've treated me.
There were so many people
doubting and saying I was
crazy to even have him on
the team but it was you
who had the positive
look at it and said
he's better than
we think he is.
He had a problem.
Let's give him
a second chance
if he does
come back.
You said that.
I did not work my
whole goddamn life
to get where I
am just to lose.
Gentlemen, we play
against them tonight.
A lot of things
I can say.
On this paper I got them,
I'm throwing it away.
You've treated
him like a son.
We're talking money,
we're talking sports.
It's about money, but
it's not about money
in your case.
I have to tell you, I
spoke to Marcel Dionne
before the game and
Marcel looked at me
and he said to me:
You're gonna win today.
-He said this
to you tonight?
He said this to me:
You're gonna win today.
I said, Marcel,
come on.
I know you're a
great hockey player with
Gretzky and Bobby Orr and
everybody, but come on.
I wish I
could be as sure.
-What craziness
made you do this?
'Cause I'm a nutjob.
I'm a nutjob.
Game seven..
Joey!
-What are you
doing here?
I came to
watch the game.
-I appreciate that.
I gotta go, I
gotta go, thanks.
-Good luck...
sweetie.
Game seven..
now we can go
straight to heaven
or you can all go
straight to hell.
Welcome back.
They got kryptonite
on their team.
Their kryptonite is they
got an old fucking goalie.
Their goaltender
stinks. Get on him.
Get on him hard.
Alright?
Character
always wins.
Let's go at him, go at
him hard, and we win.
Now let's do our best
to bring a little pride
back to this team!
Now you sons of bitches
go out there and you win!
Let's go.
Come on.
Come on,
let's go, boys.
[shouting and
clapping]

He is the poster
boy for loser.
He is his own
worst enemy.
And I don't understand
how an old guy
like Joey Bird is
gonna get in that net
- against the New York
21s, one of the best
teams to ever
take the ice -
in the championship
and stop the puck.
I say no.
I know you say no, but
you're gonna run for
mayor and you're
gonna be told no.
But I can
tell you,
Joey Bird is a
student of his art.
He loves
goaltending.
He knows
how to play.
He knows how to
play the game to win.
All he's gonna
have to do
is keep his
team in the game
and he can thank
Lou Brown for that.
And I'm still
disappointed
in what you
said about him.
Bill? You're dreaming
but I still love ya.
[laughs]
[music and
applause]
[player
introductions]
[player
introductions]
[player
introductions]
[player
introductions]
And please welcome back
number 35, Joey Bird!

Mr. Brown.
-You didn't
forget me then, huh?
Good seeing
you, kid.
We're in the seventh game
of the championship,
you know that.
I want you to
play in that game.
Kid?
Don't play.
You know why?
'Cause you're
a loser.
Ladies and gentlemen,
boys and girls,
please now stand for
our national anthem.
Oh, say can
you see
by the dawn's
early light
what so
proudly we hailed
at the twilight's
last gleaming
whose broad stripes
and bright stars
through the
perilous fight
o'er the ramparts
we watched
were so
gallantly streaming
and the
rockets red glare
the bombs
bursting in air
gave proof
through the night
that our flag
was still there
O say does that star
spangled banner yet wave
o'er the land
of the free
and the home
of the brave
[sticks banging
and applause]
Well, for every
player out there
this is their
big chance.
They've never had
this opportunity
and here
they are.
-Well, 37 years in
the making, Joe.
It's worth it.
I know I don't
deserve to be here.
I know I do not
deserve to be here.
But please, if not for
me, but for my family and
the fans of this team and
all the hockey players,
help me succeed.
I don't want to
punish this team.
I don't want to punish
the coach or Mr. Brown,
my wife and my father
and all the fans here
for being
a loser.
Please.
Puck into the New York
21 zone out to center.
Back on the 21s.
New York...
Little bit of
pressure by New York.
In the zone and he
turns the puck over.
Dump it deep.
Come on, Joe!
I'm sorry.
Joey, fly high!
Back in front,
back onto New York,
the 21s bring
it to center...
Scores!
[buzzer]
Fuck!
I mean, that was
a beautiful goal.
Top cheese.
Hey Bird!
You suck!

Well, they
appear disinterested.
I know they
aren't, Jim,
but they've gotta
show more enthusiasm.
They've gotta get some
drive in their game.
They're just wasting
time out there
and they can't expect
Joey Bird to score.

Joey! You got no
help, Joey, babe.
You got no
offense.
Son of a bitch.
What's he
supposed to do,
play this whole
game himself?
Hey Bird!
You suck!
Hey lady! You
ever play hockey?
What's it
to you?
I'm asking!
If you ever played hockey
you'd shut the fuck up.
-Ah, fuck off.
Alright,
face-off.
Cincinnati
wins it.
Past Bedeka
on the far side.
Thrown back
to the point.
Kyle.. shot!
and it's kicked away
with a right pad.
On to the right side,
back on New York.
21s get it
to center.
Cheetahs trying
to turn up ice
out of their
own zone.
Eric Becker
after him.
Becker behind
the net.
Puck to center..
Bastasin
couldn't get it.
New York trying
to get the zone.
Thrown in front..
And there's a
great opportunity
for the
Cheetahs.
Back on the 21s.
Puck possession inside
the Cincinnati zone.
Spun out in front,
that's knocked away
and back
come Cincinnati
- the Cheetahs
over the line.
Here they
come again.
Here come
the Cheetahs.
Shoots! And
that's stopped.
Back comes
New York.
Played out
the right side.
Little bit of
pressure by Cincinnati.
Picked off
by Harpur.
Back come Cincinnati
over the line.
Harpur with it.
It's Harpur
over the line
and Harpur spins into
the left wing boards..
circles...
after it
behind the net.
Tries to flip it out,
knocked back down.
Back come
the Cheetahs.
And Harpur again with
a great opportunity
but is stopped
in close.
And Luke
Gazdic with it.
Here we go, guys.
Here we go,
we're coming!
It's up to
you, Joey!
-Joey Bird!
Cincinnati
to center.
They're just gonna
play it inside the line.
All kinds of
possession
but nothing
getting to the net.
The Cheetahs still
looking for that goal
to get back
into this game.
They throw
to the point..
back come
New York.
Here's a two on 0..
Over to the right..
Shot! Bird got
a piece of that.
That almost found
the back of the net.
That's my boy!
[cheering
and applause]
Back come
Cincinnati.
Cincinnati
to center,
they're gonna play
it inside the line.
And the 21s taking
care of any rebounds
in front of their
own goaltender.
Played out
the side.
Shot! And it's
kicked away.
[cheering]
And that's
knocked away.
Back toward the
left wing boards.
Now Kyle.. Konopka
on the far side.
Back come
the Cheetahs.
Turned back
the other way.
Dump it deep.
Pass to Medica,
on the far side.
Thrown back
to the point.
Puck into the 21s
zone up to center.
Yashin throws it
up the middle,
here comes
Gazdic!
Gazdic.. oh!
That almost found
the back of the net.
Ready with
the face-off.
Back come
New York..
to center..
The next goal
could be a big one..
back in front and
it's fired just wide.
Cincinnati
to center,
they're just gonna
play it inside the line.
Thrown in front and
that's knocked away.
Cincinnati looking
for their first goal.
And Harpur waits.
Konopka on the far side,
back come the Cheetahs.
He's a little
shaky right now,
but you see how
he's playing.
-Yeah.
Over the line,
here come New York.
Threw the puck out
of their own zone.
Off his stick
and wide.
..with a slap.
Looks back...
New York...
Dump it deep.
Breakaway pass
has picked off,
turned back
the other way.
[whistle]
He's kind of shaky.
He doesn't seem..
-Got plenty
of time.
He's covering
the net,
he's coming out
a little too far.
I would hope that he
stayed back a little.
This way he'll have
to cover less ground.
-He's a little slow.
He's slow, yeah.
-Resting.
But he's coming,
he's coming.
I got all the confidence
in the world in him.
Please, give
me the strength
not to be a
coward. Ever.
And let me
win this game.
Let me win this game
for all the people
who thought
they were losers.
I want to
win this game.
Please.
Off the
face-off again.
Puck possession inside
the Cincinnati zone.
New York trying
to get the zone.
Thrown back
to the point.
Over the line.
And New York
once again.
They throw it
to the point..
Shot! Bird got
a piece of that.
Shot! Scores!
[buzzer]
Oh, man!
This might be the last
of somebody's career
if the Cincinnati
Cheetahs don't find
a way to get back
into this game.
-I would say Lou
Brown's career.
This could be it
for the Big Lou.
Dammit. We're
down two.
-The period's
almost over.
The guys are
skating now.
-He's looking
better.
Hey moron!
Bird!
You're a moron!
Lady, will you please
shut the fuck up.
What's it
to you?
I've as much right to
say anything as you have.
Lady, if you do not
shut the fuck up,
I will tear out
your dentures
and bite your
fucking ass with them!
Oh, I don't wear
dentures, lady.
If you don't shut the
fuck up you fucking will!
How could I
let that in?
Oh, fuck.
I got the reflexes of
a pregnant rhinoceros.
Alright, face-off.
Cincinnati wins it.
And New York
once again..
they'll clear the puck
out of their own zone.
Now Kyle in his zone and
he turns the puck over.
21s continue to
hold onto it.
Harpur...
Puck possession inside
the Cincinnati zone.
Shot! And it's
kicked away!
[cheering]
The Cincinnati
Cheetahs
find themselves
in some trouble.
Very early they find
themselves in a hole
and they have not been
able to climb out of it.

We're joined by
Cincinnati Cheetahs owner
Lou Brown.
And Lou, a lot of
people are wondering
have you lost your mind
putting Joey Bird in goal
for the
championship game?
Well, at this point I'm
not quite sure, you know?
Everything is
sort of in the dark,
in sort of a maze,
and I'm not sure
exactly what's
gonna happen.
I took a chance
but it wasn't
really a big chance.
I needed somebody, I
had two goalies out.
I truly had no
alternative and the
closest thing to a
solution I thought
was Joey Bird.
-You're
the owner,
you have to make those
decisions and you did.
You showed compassion
for a young man
who had lost
his way.
I admire everything
you've done along the
way whether you've
won 37 or lost 37.
You showed Joey Bird
another opportunity
and I know
one thing.
Based on my
recollections of him
as a goalie, he will
not let you down.
-Listen, Lou.
I hate to disagree with
my partner Bill here,
but you're a
sports owner.
-Yeah.
Your job is to
win a championship.
How are you gonna
do that with a guy who
hasn't played since
I don't know when?
-Well, I'll be
honest with you.
I think we're gonna find
that out relatively soon.
And I have faith
that he can still play.
Sure, he hasn't
played in 15 years
and it's partly
my fault.
He left us after 15
years and I didn't
find him for a
long period of time.
I tried reaching
out to him
and I was
unsuccessful.
Some people told me
he was playing in a
beer league so I
thought he was still
somewhat active.
I realized he was past 40
but there was no one that
I trusted enough that was
free to be my goalie for
a championship game
that I had any faith in.
The faith I
had was in Joey.
It's just that I
believe he can do it.
He's told me
he can do it.
He's probably as
unsure as I have been
but he has told me.
He looked right into
my face and he said
"Mr. Brown, I promise I'm
gonna do everything I can
to bring you your
first championship".
Which of course
would have been
his first
championship as well.
So I went with
that. I believed.
I believe and maybe
there's a guy upstairs
- or a woman,
whoever that is -
will allow us to live
the dream that we have,
both he and I, and
the rest of the team.
Because, listen, I
have a great team.
Great offense, great
defense - great team.
-Your compassion
and trust, to me,
is what makes this
opportunity for Joe Bird.
But I gotta tell
you, I'm so nervous.
And I understand your
reason for being somewhat
negative but you're being
awfully kind even in your
negative approach to me
and I understand you're a
reporter trying to get
as much information
as possible, but
I.. I trust him.
And I hope you understand
that I'm not a fool.
I've been in this
business too long,
you know, and Marcel
Dionne once said to me,
he said "Lou, I love
you. You're a winner".
Of course it's taken
me 38 years to get,
and hopefully
that will happen.
-Well, Joe's
gonna run for mayor,
so we're gonna see
how good he is.
-Are you really?
We'll see
about that.
Lou, I do
admire your faith.
I do admire
your faith.
It's honorable
but I just think
you're making
a big mistake.
I've told
Billy that,
I've told the
folks at home.
-But you don't
have that right
just because you're
an announcer.
I feel like you're
making a big mistake
but you're gonna do
what you're gonna do.
You're the
owner of the team.
It is your right to do
what you want to do and I
wish you the best of luck
and I want to thank you
for coming on
here and joining us.
Can I tell you
one last thing?
If we don't win,
I'm gonna cry like
a son of a bitch.
Excuse my language,
can I say that?
-Oh, sure.
-You just did,
so it's okay.
Thanks for
joining us.
-Thanks Lou.
Alright,
here we go.
Cincinnati again.
Back to the
middle of the ice.
Puck zone
to center.
It bounces.
Cheetahs trying to turn
it out of their own zone.
Over to the
right! Shot!
Bird got a
piece of it!
What a save!
[crowd cheering]
They've got a big
mountain to climb,
that's for sure.
And I really can't say
I like their chances.
Alright, back
under way.
Cincinnati wins it.
New York.
Puck possession inside
the Cincinnati zone.
That's knocked away.
New York
once again.
Back in front and
that's fired just wide.
Tries to flip it out,
knocked back down.
Dump it deep.
[whistle]
Cincinnati
Cheetahs.
down it's gonna go to
a face-off to the left.
Now the Cincinnati
Cheetahs goaltender
Joey Bird...
[whistle]
Alright, back
under way.
Puck into the New York
21s zone, out to center.
Liambas drops it.
Left side,
thrown in front.
And Zenon Konopka
almost knocked that in.
Back comes Yashin.
Yashin on a
two-on-one break.
Yashin drops
it for Harpur.
Harpur's attempt in
front goes off his stick.
Yashin tracks it down to
the right wing corner.
Yashin throws
it in front.
Long shot
by Becker.
That's kept out
by Colton Incze.
-They've at least gotten
themselves into the game
a little, Jim, which is
encouraging if you're a
Cheetah fan
like you and Joe.
There's Liambas.
Liambas over
the line.
Liambas in front -
oh! Off the goalpost.
Oh, my!
[crowd noise]
Come on, Joey!
Come on!
Come on, Joey!
[crowd noise]
He's looking good.
It's gonna be alright.
You got confidence
in him, right?
-Mm hm.
So do I. And I think
the team does too.
-Yeah.
Look how they're
reacting around him.
Look how
defensively
they're playing
around him.
-Well, he could
get a little help
from the
fucking team too.
Defense is
looking good.
Maybe if the offense
picks up a little bit
we'll be on
our way.
I'm not worried. No,
I'm scared, shit.
Trying to turn up ice
out of their own zone.
Puck to center.
Bastasin couldn't
get it deep.
Medica now
picks it up..
gets it to Kyle.
Back to the middle -
Medica with a shot!
And that's taking the
midsection and held on
so the Cheetahs still
looking for that goal
that would give them some
hope to mount a comeback
and get back
into this game.
[crowd noise]
Well, we talked about
it off the top, Jimmy.
You can only expect so
much from Joey Bird.
One of the things you
have to do is to protect
him by getting yourself
back in the game.
Take some pressure
off your goalie.
Back on the 21s.
New York.
Puck possession inside
the Cincinnati zone.
Spun out in front,
that's knocked away
and back come
Cincinnati,
the Cheetahs.
He's a little
shaky right now, but...
You see how
he's playing?
He's not as fancy as he
used to be, but remember,
15 years he
hasn't played.
And I want to
thank you personally
because I knew the
moment I saw you
- I was surprised
to see you -
but if it wasn't for
you he wouldn't be here.
I know he was
doing me a favor
but you prompted
him to do it.
I owe you.
He wasn't doing
you any favors,
you saved
his life.
-Believe me, I didn't.
But thank you.
Mishandled by Kyle
on the far side.
Kyle throws it in
behind the net.
And Luke
Gazdic with it.
Gazdic, back
to the point.
Harpur...
Harpur waits.
Harpur hooks
off his skate,
and Gazdic's gonna have
to go back and get it.
Time becoming
a factor.
Back come Cincinnati
over the line.
Two-on-two
break...
sharp angle - and throw
it in the side of the net.
And that's
knocked away.
And the New York 21s
have done a great job of
taking care of
any rebounds,
any garbage in front
of their own goaltender.
-Exactly what
the Cheetahs
have to pick
up on, Jim.
They're not doing a
good job of clearing
in front of the net,
although, in fairness,
they've been better
in the second period.
[crowd noise]
Joey, go!
Yeah!
Here they
come again.
Konopka's open in
front, here's the pass,
redirected and that
goes just past the
outstretched pad of
Joey Bird and wide.
Back comes
Gasdic.
Here come
the Cheetahs.
Gasdic over the
line - shoots!
And that's
stopped.
So the lead that the
Cincinnati Cheetahs
are trying to
cut into remains,
as Cincinnati looking
for their first goal.
So all of a sudden
you go from Joey Bird
being the story early
on giving up a couple..
now the story is the
Cincinnati Cheetahs
unable to find themselves
back in this game.
[crowd noise]
Paid a fortune
for that guy.
With a little
traffic up front
we could take
some more shots!
Well, they're starting to
resemble the Cincinnati
Cheetahs team that
made it this far.
-Yeah, they're showing
something in the second
that they certainly
didn't in the first, Joe.
-Another shot.
Face-off gonna
be to the left.
So game seven,
you can feel the tension
in this building.
Go Joe!
Eat em up!
Eat 'em up, Joe!
They know if New
York gets another one
back the other way
this game is done.
Cincinnati needs
something good to happen,
whether it's from
the hockey gods or
whether it's from one
of their skilled players.
Behind the net Yashin
now tries to get it.
Picked off by
Ryan Wells,
played out
the right side.
Over the line..
Here come
New York.
Long shot - Oh,
that's off the goalpost!
Oh, my.
That's three that
have found their way
past Joey Bird and
off the goalpost.
Yashin now.
For the Cheetahs.
Yashin circles in
the front of the net.
Spins back towards
the left wing board.
Yashin in
the corner.
Back in front and
Yashin can't handle that.
And New York
once again will
clear the puck out
of their own zone.
Liambas gets
to center.
Offense! Come
on, offense!
One on three but
Liambas holds onto it.
Gets into the
slot, looks back,
throws it across
to Chris Harpur.
Alright, get back,
defense! Get back!
Help him out!
Shit! He's
got no help!
Harpur with it.
Time becoming a factor
here as the Cincinnati
Cheetahs find themselves
in some trouble.
And the story of the
game was Joey Bird.
Could he hold
them in it?
He has since the 21s
took the early lead.
Fuck! Fuck!
Well, he's
certainly done
as well if not
better than the
general consensus
would have expected.
Joey Bird has been
a significant part
of this game.
As we pointed out,
he can't score
so the
game's over.
If the Cheetahs don't
decide to play more like
a team and take a
facsimile from the
New York 21s..
they're dead meat!
-Well, right now this has
turned into a nice story.
But if you want this to
be the thing that legends
are made of, there
has to be a comeback.
Joey Bird has
been solid
since they fell down
early in this game.
The crowd was on him,
he responded well
and the team responded
well around him.
But now is the time
for them to find a way
to get back
into this game.
And unfortunately
for Joey Bird,
whether you think
it's right or wrong,
he's gotta be the story
of the third period.
He's gotta be
absolutely perfect.
-Well, he can't let
any more goals in.
That's a pressure
that nobody needs, Jim.
But that's a pressure
that comes with a team
that didn't
come to play.
For the Cheetahs,
Yashin circles in
the front of the net.
There's Alexei
Yashin over the line -
rebound - scores!
[crowd cheering]
Yashin, over the line
right off the face-off.
Walks in, first
shot is stopped.
Yashin
follows it up
and Yashin slips
it into the goal.
Is this the start of
something special
for the Cincinnati
Cheetahs?
-I'm looking
down the tunnel.
I see a flicker of
light there, Jim.
It's pretty
faint, I must say.
-What's the
old saying:
is it a train or
is it daylight?
And we knew at the
start of this period
for them to get
back into this game,
they're gonna have to
start taking some chances.
The defense are
gonna have to pinch,
forwards might
have to cheat a bit
leaving the zone.
It's gonna create scoring
chances at one end
but we could see,
because of that,
teams trading scoring
chances at both ends.
[announcer in
the background]
I can tell you
this, Jimmy,
without any
equivocation:
Next goal wins.
That's all I'm
telling you.
Back in front and
that's fired just wide.
Yashin can't get
into the corner.
Back come
the 21s.
Liambas throws it
to center but Yashin
back to Harpur, back
in over the other way.
Harpur in
front - shot!
And that's
kicked away.
[crowd sounds]
The defense around
him isn't as strong
as I would hope,
but they're not bad.
They seem to be
coming together.
How do you feel?
-I feel great.
Are you
proud of him?
-Yeah.
15 years, honey.
It's been a long time.
You have the confidence?
You feel the way I do?
-Shut up.
We're gonna see
how this plays out.
Is this gonna be decided
by one final bounce?
Another goalpost,
as Joey Bird has had
a few of them to
keep him in this game.
Back into the slot -
shot off his skate.
Now Kyle in the zone and
he turns the puck over.
Cheetahs again!
There's Alexei Yashin,
had trouble handling it..
kept in again.
Harpur.. picked
up by Yashin,
tries to flip it out,
knocked back down.
Konopka on
the far side.
Back come
the Cheetahs.
Breakaway pass,
picked off,
turned back
the other way.
New York.
Dump it deep.
They're just trying to kill
time off this clock now.
We said at the very
start of this game
that this was a game
that was gonna be
talked about for
years to go.
So again,
come back.
Alexei Yashin.
Yashin back to center,
throws it up the middle.
Here comes Gasdic.
Two on 0.
Gasdic gets
it - oh!
What a great
opportunity for
Gasdic stolen
with a blocker save.
Gasdic keeps
it deep.
Yashin goes to the
front of the net.
Yashin makes a
pass - scores!
Gasdic has
scored again!
This game
is tied!
[unintelligible]
has tied this game.
-I mean, that was
a beautiful goal.
Top cheese.
[whistle]
Here we go again.
It's Harpur
over the line
and Harpur spins into
the left wing boards.
Throws it way out in
front and it bounces!
passed to Medica
on the far side.
Thrown back
to the point.
Bastasin throws it into
the middle of the ice
and another
shot by Medica.
That was harmless
and swallowed up.
And the face-off
is gonna be
to the right of the
New York 21's goal.
Cincinnati Cheetahs
back in this game.
They looked like they
were absolutely done
in the early goings
of this hockey game.
-This is really one of
the greatest comebacks
I can remember.
Harpur - Harpur
throws it in front.
Kyle - shot
and it's kicked away
with a right pad.
Back into the slot.
Right in front.
Shot once,
rebound..
and Harpur again with
a great opportunity
but is stopped
in close.
Back come
New York.
21s get it to center,
stolen by Yashin.
Yashin, thrown to
the right side.
Eric Becker
after it.
Becker behind
the net.
Becker tries to
throw it in front -
shot by Justin Kyle -
off his stick and wide.
That almost found
the back of the net.
Come on, take a
shot! Take a shot!
Back come
the Cheetahs.
Alexei Yashin.
Yashin to center.
Yashin's got
Harpur with him.
Kyle trailing...
oh! and Yashin..
Off the left pad.
This game is
getting late.
Come on, ref!
What about that?
Hey, ref! Open
your eyes, will ya?
Come on, you're
missing a good game!
We've said it
a few times.
The next goal
could be a big one.
Alexei Yashin
wants to make sure
it's off his
stick again.
Here's Becker
in the corner.
Yashin throws
it in front.
Kyle in the
far corner,
they throw it
to the point.
It's knocked down.
Back come
New York.
Here's a
two on 0 -
a two on 0 for
the New York 21s.
Over to the
right - shot!
Bird might have got
a piece of that.
-Yeah, for sure.
New York, another
odd man rush
and Joey Bird
turns 'em away.
Come on, guys!
Change, change, change!
Cheetahs have not
led in this game.
Puck thrown
to center.
McLean can't handle
it. It bounces.
Johnson falls.
Joey, fly high!
Picked up, it is
a two-on-0 break
the other way.
There's a shot
at Joey Bird.
Bird got a
piece of it.
Oh, baby! Joey Bird
just gets his stick on it
or this game is
back in the hands
of the New
York 21s.
Bird with perhaps his
best stop of the night.
-Joey Bird's kept
them in the game
the last 30
seconds, Jimmy.
Back come
Cincinnati.

Yashin..
Yashin.. shot!
Scores!
[cheering]
Score - Alexei Yashin
down the right wing.
[cheering]
Oh, what a
night he's had!
Bird at one end,
Yashin at the other.
-Isn't it funny, Jimmy,
how they make a big save
at the far end, they come
down and score to tie.
Joey Bird is doing
what he has to do:
keep his team in the
game by making saves
and hope that
Yashin and the crew
can continue
to put them in.
I think the amazing
thing for game seven
is how wide open
things have turned
here in the
third period.
-Yeah, it's redefined
game seven, I think, Jim.
-The Cheetahs had a
completely changed
method of play.
They were just
dead in the water.
-Yeah, I think Yashin
picked them up
by the scruff of
the neck, Joe,
and showed them
what had to be done.
You lead
by example.
-What does New
York have left?
One last chance as we
get into the final minute.
Empty net.
Cincinnati.
Cheetahs can't
do anything.
New York
dumps it in.
They got the
extra man on the ice.
Can Bird hold
the fort?
Thrown in front..
and that's
knocked away.
Harpur on
the far side.
Harpur holding.
Harpur trying to get it
to the front of the net.
Harpur in behind the
goal, thrown in front,
picked off.
Back come
Cincinnati to center.
They're just gonna
play it inside the line.
Wells with it.
Wells' time
running out.
[crowd
counting down]
Here's Curran.
Curran on the right
wing side to Liambas.
[suspenseful music]
Wells with a shot -
the shot is blocked.
And they've
done it!
They've done it!
They've done it!
The Cincinnati Cheetahs
with Joey Bird in goal.
[cheering]
-What an accomplishment
for what that man's
been through and
what he's done tonight.
[cheering]
[cheering
and clapping]
I wonder why
sometimes I cry
I wonder why
some day I'll die
I wonder why I
just can't fly
I wonder
all the time
I wonder why I
just can't see
I wonder why
you just left me
Joey, I'm so
proud of you.
am I the one
that only sees
I wonder
[cheering]
Tonight he had the
post as his friend,
there was
no question.
But he was there at the
most important times.
Before the winning
goal was scored
he made a superb save
and down they came..
the Cheetahs came down
to score the winner.
-What did we expect
out of Lou Brown?
A decision that was going
to win a championship.
Naysayers are not
coming into this game.
He proved that he
made the right one.
[cheering]
How'd you
manage to do that?
That was
a winner.
[laughing]
Thank you, guys.
Thank you
very much.
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.



Ladies and gentlemen,
boys and girls..
your champions the
Cincinnati Cheetahs!
[cheering]
Where's Joey?
-Joey's with
his dad.
I wonder
do you know
that I love you
I wonder if
you can see
I'm so sorry I
doubted you.
I'm the one for you and
you're the one for me
Thank you for giving
me a chance, Mr. Brown.
I never doubted
you for a minute
and I want to thank
you and Joanne
for doing me a favor
I'll never forget.
38 years and
you did it.
-Thank you.
Greatest hockey
game I ever saw, kid.
-Thank you.
-20 more years.
Let me get out and we'll
go eat something. Okay?
[cheering]
I wonder if that's
all you'll see
I wonder
(I wonder)
I wonder
if all of it
drowned in the sea
I wonder if
you love me
Joey Bird will
fly high again!
we danced
nice and slow
I twirled you
around my soul
we drank so
much gin
that it turned
into an ugly sin
sometimes I
wonder why
if you love
you must cry
if you love
it must die
I'll never
know why
here we are together
for the first time
please, my love
don't turn it into
a heartless crime
we danced all
night long
we made love
all night long
for a moment
you made me feel
that I belong
here we are
in the dark
sitting in
the park
wondering if this ecstasy
will last an eternity
here we are together
for the first time
please, my love
don't turn it into
a heartless crime
we danced all
night long
is this where
I belong?
we danced all
night long
all night,
all night long




we danced all night long
we danced all night long
yeaaah
we danced all
night long
is this where
I belong?
or is this just
another song?
we danced
all night long
we danced all
night long
is this just
another cheap song?
we danced all
night long
all night
all night
I've been involved
with myself
for such a
long time
and I felt like the whole
world revolved around me
I know it sounds
egotistical and
narcissistic but that's
all that I've always
wanted to see
because you
know what?
I've had to get along
with me and I'm the guy
when I wake up
in the morning
I gotta deal with
myself all day.
life.. what is it?
what is the
meaning of life?
is that profound or
is that a cliche?
is that something
in a drink
with a little
umbrella?
'cause I don't
understand it.
maybe I'm not
that smart.
maybe I didn't see
it on CNN or CNBC.
why have I become
frozen in my own cocoon?
what do I believe
it means for me
to be a
better soul?
please help me
see more than me
please help me be the
one you want me to be
everyone in the world
walks around all day
staring at their smart
phone which is really
some fucked up shit
because it makes no sense
'cause the more you look
at your smart phone
you seem to get more
stupider, more dumber,
and more lonely.
there's no such thing
as an app that's gonna
grab you and make you
understand what it means
to have that
precious moment
where you're alive.
But you got
no choice.
you get seduced by
your own stupidity.
you get seduced by your
own needs because
you believe you are the
center of the universe.
you're hypnotized
by your own shit.
you're hypnotized
by everything
that you
need to be.
but you don't
understand.
there's a positive
and a negative.
and without those
two terminals
there is no energy.
I want to make
you understand
that you're walking in
a shroud of darkness.
I want you
to understand.
can I see more
than I could be?
can I be the one
you want me to be?

I woke up
Saturday morning
to the sounds
that I know
outside my window some
kids playing in the snow
a homemade net
and a tennis ball
is all they
need to play
the only game I'm
gonna see today
'cause all the big
rinks have gone dry
and we're all
left wondering why
there's no one
left to cheer for
there's no one
there to hear us
when we're
shouting go team go
we used to cheer for
Wendel or Lindros
and Lemieux
Lafleur, Messier
and the Great One too
and now we cheer
for Tucker, Iginla,
Roberts
and Balfour
and Coach's
Corner on the CBC
now all the big
rinks have gone dry
and we're left
to wonder why
there's no one
left to cheer for
there's no one
there to hear us
when we're shouting
go team go
when we're shouting
go team go


it's Saturday night and
the boys are all here
and just like
we've always done
but there's nothing
to watch this year
so we grab our
sticks and hats
and head out
in the snow
you take center
and I'll take goal
we'll play the game
that we all love
we're playing for
all the memories
and the good
times yet to come
and we'll find
something to cheer for
the whole world's
gonna hear us
can you hear us?
go team go!
(go team go!)
go team go
Vancouver!
Calgary!
Toronto!
Ottawa!
go team go!
Halifax!
Edmonton!
Winnipeg!
Montreal!
go team go!
please, for Canada..
bring back our game.