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#NorthernNostalgia Week one: The shot heard ’round the Verizon Center

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In honour of the Toronto Raptors‘ 20th anniversary this season, Raptors Cage is bringing back pieces of history for fans to cherish and remember. This is the first installment of #NorthernNostalgia- a 10 week segment featuring selected moments or figures from the team’s past that longtime supporters will remember and newer fans will (hopefully) become educated on. Hold back your tears ladies and gentlemen, because it’s time to go coast-to-coast down memory lane.

mo pete

For the first week of #NorthernNostalgia, we revisit March 30, 2007. George Bush was still in office and YouTube was on the cusp of world domination. The Raptors played visitor to the Washington Wizards in a late-season game with enormous implications for playoff seeding. It was an even fight, as both teams remained close in scoring throughout. Toronto trailed 106-107 with 3.8 seconds left before star Wizard guard Gilbert Arenas knocked down two free throws. The deficit was now three. In one final act of desperation, the Raptors’ Anthony Parker heaved a full-court pass straight into the hands of opponent Michael Ruffin, who proceeded to throw the ball upwards in celebration. The home team rejoiced. Toronto began to hang its collective head in disappointment. But what happened next? Not even the wisest of coaches could imagine:

Veteran swingman and fan favourite Morris Peterson tosses up a cry to the heavens and is affirmatively answered. Always the facilitator of circus shots, he bolsters his resume with an astounding game-tying three pointer which leaves the Washington crowd in the purest form of disbelief. Note the obnoxious quips of “Canada sucks” and “God bless America” before the shot, the naive declaration that the contest was over during the shot and the ensuing shock/anger after Mo Pete’s miracle. While there’s no understating the epic TV call from commentator Chuck Swirsky, this raw footage taken directly from the crowd should be considered a gem in Raptors history. The stark contrast in fan commentary is simply beautiful and it illustrates the sheer intensity of the moment. Toronto went on to win the game in overtime, finish third in the Eastern Conference and win the Atlantic Division for the first time in franchise history. Ruffin went on to…well…let’s hope his nightmares about this are over

Where were you when Peterson sank that legendary three? Use #NorthernNostalgia on Twitter to let us know and share YOUR favourite moments or figures from the last 20 years of Raptors basketball.

Stay tuned to Raptors Cage for next week’s edition!

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