The crowd at a hockey game doesn't generally give a standing ovation to the guy calling the game.  But they did Monday night at ScotiaBank Arena. And so did the players. 

It was Joe Bowen's final night in the home gondola, as he retires after four decades of calling the Leaf games and becoming the de facto radio voice of the team. 

"After 44 years of calling Maple Leafs games, Bowen announced earlier this season that this would be his final one behind the mic. As such, the 75-year-old was honored with a scoreboard tribute during a stoppage early in the third period, eliciting a standing ovation that lasted over two minutes.

Cue the weeping."

Bowen still has one more game to call before the last minute of play comes for real. It airs Wednesday on TSN1050 vs. the Senators in Ottawa. 

Sportsnet has video of the standing O and aired a moving tribute filled with highlights of his career on Monday's broadcast. You can hear it by scrolling down a bit on their home page. 

Bowen honored by Maple Leafs players, fans at final home broadcast