Having fun listening to the St. John's - Binghampton game on Radio Newfoundland at the moment. It's neat to check in with the Baby leafs from time to time, and hear the names of the future. Tonight, names like Gavey, Moro, Doull, Ponikarovsky, Cereda and Tellqvist are up against the likes of Spezza, Emery, Langfeld and Ricci. A futre Leafs-Sens matchup. I think NHL fans forget that lots of times, guys that make it to the NHL are not unscathed virgins. Most of them have seen their peers grow up too, in junior or college hockey and then in the AHL.

Anyway, it's tied 1-1 right now as the third period has just begun.

Posted 4:45 PM by Chris |

December 28, 2002
Toronto 2 at Edmonton 3 (ot)

Forwards
Renberg – Druken – Fitzgerald
Healy – McCauley – Green
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund
Tucker – Antropov – Mogilny

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
McCabe – Lumme
Berg – Pilar

Goal
Belfour

Good game. Tough loss.

What with Sundin out, Druken stepped in nicely to fill the bill. He's a pretty gritty guy, playing up to whatever style Quinn wants out of him. I can see why Quinn made an effort to reunite with him. A player that will play like that for you is a sweet deal.

Belfour kept the Leafs in this as the Oil were swarming in the first period, outshooting the Leafs 15-5. Carter, Comrie and Smith all looked good.

The season's trials and tribulations are beginning to take their toll. Mogilny injured his back last night colliding with McCabe in overtime. Renberg has a Belfourian infection in his finger, the same thing that happened to Belfour after the first game of the season: nicked it on a skate lace ringlet and got infected. Don't these guys wash their hands?

And Sundin is still out with a very sore shoulder, breaking his ironman streak at 269 regular season games for the Leafs. Tim Horton holds the record at 486. Druken is at 2. :-)

New Year's Eve, Vancouver. This'll be a fun game, even without our big three in the line up and Jovonovski nursing a broken foot for the 'Nucks. It's always a party when the Leafs come to town out here, and a lot of ribbing takes place either side of this game, one of two appearances this year. The winner gets bragging rights for the next three months, until the leafs return in March. It seems that games in Toronoto don't count, mostly becasue over the past few years out here, the Leafs have played great hockey in Vancouver, with some dynamite overtime wins (2 in 2000, with Thomas scoring with five seconds left on January 17 and Sundin winning it on March 6 of that year). 1994 is becoming a thing of the past. It's doesn't get lorded over us Leaf fans like it once did.


Posted 11:42 AM by Chris |

December 27, 2002
Toronto 4 at Calgary 3

Forwards
Green – Sundin – Fitzgerald
Healy – McCauley – Druken
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund
Tucker – Antropov – Mogilny

Fitzgerald – Reichel – Hoglund
Green – McCauley – Healy
Tucker – Antropov – Mogilny
Domi – Sundin – Druken
Domi – Antropov – Tucker
Healy – Green – Druken
Mogilny – McCauley – Tucker

Tucker – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Antropov – Reichel – Hoglund (pp)

Reichel – McCauley (pk)
Mogilny – Sundin (pk)

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
McCabe – Lumme
Berg – Belak

McCabe – Kaberle (pk)

Goal
Kidd

Man oh man. What a game. Coming into Calgary, I would have thought that the Leafs would have had an easier time of it than they did, but the glove was dropped in front of the blue and white early and they were almost not up to the task.

Calgary won the battle of spirit tonight, with some outstanding physical play, big hits all over the ice, on Mogilny, Tucker and even one on Sundin that put him out of the game with a screwy left shoulder. Iginla, Conroy and Yelle were very dangerous all night and Turek played well.

But it was a few late game heroics by Jonas Hoglund and a couple of crucial saves from Kidd that sealed the deal as the Leafs came from behind to win.

Running down the lines (which changed a lot again, partly due to tinkering by Quinn and then later necessitated by Sundin’s injury), we saw a weird combo with Sundin anchoring Fitzgerald and Green for two periods. Renberg had the flu and Corson isn’t expected to play on this western road trip, so that’s what the star line looked like. They weren’t bad, and Green especially played good defense all night. Fitzgerald also got the call for at-home duty late in the game to protect the lead, after scoring to tie the game at two apiece.

The offensive line of the night was Reichel’s, as Hoglund put in the tying and winning goals, in the later case beautifully assisted by Harold Druken who was into the line up tonight.

Kidd was dynamite in his first win in more than two months. He let in three goals, but he made some sensational saves late in the game, with a crucial one coming off Yelle who almost scored from the slot with the extra attacker on. His defense played well in front of him, especially McCabe, who seems to be able to read plays like an open book, and Svehla who was a stalwart. Belak had the sixth spot, but he and Berg only had 11 to 12 minutes each as the big four did major duty. Holding down Iglina’s line was a tough assignment tonight and, despite some hard clearing attempts and a couple of harmless turnovers, the d-corp played well.

Powerplay was all the rage with 2-5 being the harvest and the PK continued to shine only allowing one goal on seven attempts.

This game had all the atmosphere of a playoff game. Really entertaining, and a useful win for the Leafs. We’re watching the standings now and with tonight’s victory they occupy sole possession of sixth spot, but only three points ahead of ninth place Washington. Hopefully Sundin’s injury isn’t long term and the Leafs can hang on to the momentum. Druken’s showing, consisting of some tenacious and creative play, was a better than 12th man performance, so that’s good news.


Posted 4:45 AM by Chris |

And in other Leaf news, propects Carlo Colaiacovo and Ian White had a great game in the opener of the World Juniors in Halifax.

Posted 1:04 PM by Chris |

The Leafs head out on the road with the first game in Calgary tonight:

Matchups: Game day analysis
Flames at home: Home stand will make or break playoff chances

Posted 1:03 PM by Chris |

December 23, 2002
Atlanta 1 at Toronto 5

Forwards
Renberg – Sundin – Fitzgerald
Healy – McCauley –Green
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund
Tucker – Antropov – Mogilny

Tucker – McCauley – Mogilny
Domi – McCauley – Healy
Tucker – Green – Mogilny
Renberg – Sundin – Hoglund
Domi – Reichel – Healy
Healy – Green – McCauley

Renberg – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Tucker – Reichel – Hoglund (pp)

Sundin – Mogilny (pk)
Fitzgerald – Reichel (pk)
McCauley – Healy (pk)

Reichel – Hoglund (4 on 4)

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
McCabe – Lumme
Berg – Belak

McCabe – Berg

Goal
Belfour

The Leafs skyrocket to three games above .500 with a tough win against Atlanta. Not tough as in hard, although with the luck Toronto has against the Thrashers, nothing is given in these contests. Tough as in a gritty win, capped by a magnificent hattrick from Mogilny, who now has six points in the last two games, adding to three from the unblogged San Jose tie.

Belfour saved the bacon in the early going here, and his efforts weren’t lost on the Leafs faithful at the ACC who serenaded hime off the ice with “Eddie! Eddie!” cheers. The Leafs are about to start a big road trip (14 out of 19) and Eddie is the man for it. A GAA of 1.98 on the road and a save percentage above .950. Not frigging bad for a guy that was washed up at the beginning of the season.

And Mogilny, the guy who warned us all not to expect too much from him this year, was scintillating tonight, turning on the speed and getting a couple of nice breakaway goals. He is dangerous everywhere and on every line he plays with.

Hoglund had a goal in his 500th game, and Berg got the other one. Tucker was in on three of them, which is nice since he is currently riding a 15 game goalless streak. Sundin passed Ron Ellis to take fifth place on the Leaf's all time scoring parade with his assist tonight

Nik Antropov went off early for a cheap hit from behind necessitating a big line scramble for the rest of the game. The dog’s breakfast at the top of this entry is just anal retentiveness on my part. Quinn’s line up card was a mess, with the result that Healy, Domi and McCauley split the sitting duties. The other result was some botched line changes, which have otherwise been pretty tight this season. One too-many-men penalty and the lone Thrasher’s goal were the price to be paid.

Special teams were great tonight, with the PK still showing that it has the stuff to be among the best in the league. McCabe and Lumme both stood out in the defensive category, whle Kaberle had a pretty good all round game.

More of the same from these guys please, as they hit the road for a back to back in Calgary and Edmonton later in the week.

Merry Christmas to the half dozen of you or so that follow this blog. Sorry it’s been so spotty this month. Lots of work and life impinged on my ability to follow games too closely. Without Steve Church’s help, I would have had a big black hole in December. Now the deep dark season is upon us, and I’ll have more time to spend with the blue and white.

Have a good holiday.

Posted 2:08 AM by Chris |

Preview for tonight against San Jose:

Home ice win streak on line as Leafs face Sharks
Shark look to bite back after beating in Ottawa
Joe Thornton could return
Leafs injury update: Corson and Renberg to sit again

Posted 1:14 PM by Chris |

December 19, 2002
Toronto 2 at Tampa Bay 1

Forwards
Green – Sundin – Fitzgerald
Healy – McCauley – Belak
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund
Tucker – Antropov – Mogilny

Tucker – Sundin – Mogilny

Tucker – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund (pp)

Sundin – Mogilny (pk)
Fitzgerald – Reichel (pk)

Lumme – McCabe – McCauley (4 on 3 pk)
Lumme – McCabe – Reichel (4 on 3 pk)

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
Jackman – Lumme
Berg – Pilar

Goal
Belfour

Leafs hang on to scrape two points out of this game.

The game itself wasn't played badly by Toronto, and once again they were able to put together a two goal lead, and once again they were forced to protect it. Tampa came on well in the third, and LeCavalier, who reminds me of a young Brett Hull, was ever dangerous. As it was he didn't get a goal, but he came close.

Quinn rejigged three of his forward lines, leaving only Reichel's line intact. They responded with the first goal. Sundin was not especially stunning with the defensive specialists on his wing. He had a few chances, but seemed not to be able to click. The line of the night continued to be Antro's. Mogilny finally had his goal, his first in eight games, and the rest of the time, Antropov, Tucker and Mogs played havoc with the Tampa defenders. Mogilny played really well defensively too, making a stunning play late in the third to come back and break up an odd man rush. Other backcheckers included Alyn McCauley who lifted Modin;s stick in the firt to do the same. Responsible defensive play from the forwards was a big reason why the Leafs were able to hold on to this lead.

Belfour continues to play in the groove, robbing Modin and LeCavalier on a couple of occasions. He was fairly screened by Aki Berg on the goal, and Jackman may have kicked him too as he was trying to clear traffic in front of the net. All told though, it was a fine defensive effort, and the Leafs regained some confidence by holding on to a thin lead after more late game pressure.

A tip of the hat to the PK which is absolutely outstanding these days. They have killed 74 of the last 79 penalties and 43 of the last 44 in the last 8 road games. This is due in large part to the great positional play and stunning ability to read plays, especially from the defesemen. It is going to be crucial to maintain this as the season progresses, and continue to use it to stupify opponents, whittle away at their confidence and seize the momentum. I actually think the PK has been the Leaf's secret weapon. Since they got it clicking, lots of other things seem to be falling into place.


Posted 3:21 AM by Chris |

December 18, 2002
Toronto 2 at Florida 2

Forwards
Renberg – Sundin – Fitzgerald
Tucker – Green – McCauley
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund
Healy – Antropov – Mogilny

Antropov – Mogilny (ot)
Sundin – Mogilny (ot)

Renberg – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Tucker – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Hoglund – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Domi – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)

Sundin – Mogilny (pk)
Fitzgerald – Reichel (pk)
McCauley – Tucker (pk)

Sundin Kaberle Svehla (ot pk)
Reichel Berg McCabe (ot pk)

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
McCabe – Lumme
Berg – Jackman

Goal
Kidd

Both teams came into this one with a big stake in the outcome. The Leafs lead the Panthers by two points for the final playoff spot, and dropping out of the top eight would be a symbolic setback at this stage. So it was all on the line for this game, and both teams played like they wanted it.

A combination of goalposts and sensational cross crease saves by Roberto Luongo in the Florida net eked out the tie for the Panthers. That combined with a momentary Leaf lapse at the end of the second period that erased the Leafs momentum 20 seconds after Domi put the Buds ahead by two. And early third period goal on a McCauley turnover spelled doom for the lead, and despite great pressure through the third and overtime, the Leafs couldn't get another.

Big kudos go out to the the Antropov line. Healy and Mogilny and big Nik are dynamic and were sensational in the third, generating pressure on nearly every shift. Luongo's heroics saved his defense who played like drill pylons when this line was out. One play in particular stood out early in the thrid when Mogs split the defense threw a pass over to Healy who redirected it to Nik and Luongo had to come clear across his crease to get a pad on it. Sundin's line was great in the second but then they lost Renberg to an injury and struggled getting anything else happening with a rent-a-winger.

In the OT, the Leafs were the dominant team and Florida tried to play for the tie. Late in the period the Panther's got close, but a turnover resulted in one more Leaf rush which resulted in McCabe hitting the post with three seconds left.

Obly smelly part of the game was the officiating which, although not as bad as the St. Lousi game earlier in the season, nevertheless almost decided the match. Two late calls in the third period on highly questionable situations (one for either side) did not wear well on the zebras. Luckily nothing resulted from the penalties other than the usual shift in energy, making the ending of an otherwise entertaining game a little boring.

The trip through the Bible belt continues with a visit to Tampa tomorrow night.

Posted 11:54 PM by Chris |

Steve Church completes his residency at "Blogging the Leafs" with this gem of a report.

Thanks Steve!

December 12, 2002
New York 1 atToronto 4

Forwards
Renberg - Sundin - Fitzgerald
Healy - Antropov - Mogilny
Domi - Reichel - Hoglund
McCauley - Green - Tucker

Renberg - Sundin - Mogilny (pp)
Antropov - Reichel - Domi (pp)

Mogilny - Sundin (pk)
McCauley - Fitsgerald (pk)
Reichel - Hoglund (pk)

Defense
Svehla - Kaberle
Lumme - McCabe
Jackman - Berg

Goal
Belfour

Have a game between:- a team with an injury list almost as expensive as some team's payrolls, and; a team that needs a win more than it needs to put on a show; ... and you have last night's meeting.

Belfour was great, and the Leafs' D pounced on the loose dust. Belfour stopped a wild variety of 35 shots; only one got by and that was on a power-play. Blackburn wasn't as good and he wasn't as lucky - colour the 19 year old burnt out after 18 straight games, and burnt up with Dunham coming to town.

Sundin and Renberg were the dervish brothers more than a few times. Sundin's first goal was a blast that tonked off the top-back iron - Harry Neale said it right - "He didn't see it ... but he heard it." Likewise Renberg's goal early in the third was a beautiful blue-line steal and pass from Sundin. The second goal was Kaberle wristing it from the point and Antro giving it a beaut of a down-deflection that left Blackburn wondering where the puck went ... the crowd gave him a clue. The funny finale to the goal-scoring was Domi's marker.

Reichel chopped a turnover at the Rangers blue-line, it skipped over to Hoglund, who wheeled and made a nice pass to Domi on the left side. In he came - full tilt and Domi-style focused. Blackburn dove at his slapper and missed ... as Domi's shot went high and left of the net. Then the red de-light went on. ... the shot hit the backboards just below the glass and came straight back to Domi's shoveling stick.

Most of the rest of the game was a bit ratty and tatty. Holik got burned on Antro's goal - he missed the coverage. Kaspar got burned on Renberg's goal. Lindros got burned missing half a dozen good opportunties, Poti got burned on Renberg's goal. After all that, the edge in play went to the Rangers ... and the 2 points went to the Leafs.

The "Eddie, Eddie" chants were still there. The loudest and longest was when he was called for slashing. The victim was Mathew Barnaby ... it all happened a little while after referee Ron Shick gave Barnaby a warning about trying to start stuff after the whistle had gone.

There were a few scuffles - about what you'd expect given the teams and the tilt. The cutest was gentleman Tom Fitzgerald vs Ron 'who?' Petrovicky. They managed to land 5-minute majors for their sweater-stretching contest, but the audio nailed it - there's no '1-minute major for attempted fighting'.

A special compliment is due the Leafs' D. They've taken a lot of criticism for sins from A to Z, but lately they've been as good to Eddie as Eddie's been to them. Kaberle and Svehla are working out real well with Svehla taking the senior role and letting Kaberle skate forward; Lumme and Berg are working out surprisingly well (it's the best Lumme has played since coming to the Leafs over a year ago). The real gem has been Jackman playing well with Berg. They don't get the time (12-16 minutes a game), but they hit hard, cover completely, and Jackman will occasionally jump deep on the forecheck. It's a treat to see the improvement.

Posted 12:54 AM by Chris |

Steve Church makes it easy for me again, and gets me another great game summary, even if was the summary of a not so great game...

December 12, 2002
Toronto 1 at Philadelphia 2

Forwards
Renberg – Sundin – Fitzgerald
Healy – Antropov – Mogilny
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund
McCauley – Green – Tucker

Renberg – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Antropov – Reichel – Domi (pp)

Mogilny – Sundin (pk)
McCauley – Fitsgerald (pk)
Reichel - Hoglund (pk)

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
Lumme – McCabe
Jackman – Berg

Goal
Belfour

A game broke out with a bang at 7:33 of the third period. Jeremy Roenick put his shoulder into heads-down Robert Svehla and knocked him into tomorrow. Svehla came back from the locker room five minutes later looking like he tried to stop a car with his teeth. It happened so quick that the refs were in a bind. They threw a five-and-a-game at Roenick. The replays showed that it was black flag stuff (take no prisoners), but a legal check. The blood boiled over - Thomas Kaberle went after Roenick after the hit.

Up until then it had been a sporadic contest. Lots of action, good defensive cover-ups, and the goalies were making the stops. The first goal didn't come until early in the third - a long laser from Simone Gagne on the rush. It was a double trouble after the hit. With Roenick on a major and Kaberle in for roughing on Roenick, Eric Desjardins scooped up a rare rebound and made it 2-0. The Leafs got one of the tallies back in the ensuing PP left from Roenick's penalty. A cross-crease pass from Renberg to Sundin deflected off Desjardin's skate into the net (yea, we'll take it). There were chances to to tie it, and chances to seal it after that ... but for all the activity there was nothing left but the clock ticking.

The game wasn't memorable for it's play as both teams missed too many passes and too many finishing shots went wide. It was memorable for a bunch of little things.

In the first period Roenick and Tucker shoved on their way to the benches, Roenick went stick to shoulder, and the gloves came off ... so far, so normal. Then it blinked. Roenick took a swing and missed. Tucker took a roundhouse that hit the beak bullseye and Jeremy went down like a sack of flour.

The second period had a little scratcher in it. Travis Green had his stick knocked out of his hands and Filly was on the rush. Everything was moving towards the Leafs end. The play stops and Travis Green was charged with obstruction in the neutral zone. The camera replay showed that the only thing he grabbed was a bunch of free-floating oxygen. The commetator quipped - "Two minutes for attempted obstruction."

Early in the third was the rarest oddity of all. It started innocently enough. The Leafs lobbed a shot from the neutral zone into the Filly end. It dunked down along the boards by the faceoff circle to Cechmanek's right. Cech mis-judged the flight and started to chase it; in a wink he was on the puck but he was also along the boards with Jonas Hoglund right beside him. A tender fight for the puck broke out (Hog's was trying to get the puck without getting a repeat of the bizarre goaltender interference calls that were part of this particular game). The puck squirted up and deeper into the Filly end - right onto the stick of Tie Domi. Without a pause, Domi twirled and fired at the net (missing it completely) while the only thing between him and a grand canyon empty net was a Filly defender snowplowing backwards in a very uncontrolled fashion. A bit more 'poise' and he would have scored ... but then again a bit more 'poise' and the whole thing never would have happened.

The last bit of mouse-cheese was a fight in the third. Tie Domi isn't the most popular visitor in Filly (clips of Chris Falcone crashing the penalty box are still regular intro's to the games), and it got harder as the game wore on to avoid a crowd-pleasing fight loss. Problem for them was, he won. It wasn't the usual Brashear tilt - Brashear was spending his time hounding Lumme, Hoglund, and material of that type. Big Todd Fedoruk did the nasty in the third (and yes, the crowd was up for it). Fed got the early punches in, but at the end 6'2" 245 lb. Fedoruk was outa gas and back-flat on the ice underneath 5'10" 215 lb. Tie Domi. Domi had a big grin about the 'win' after it cleared away.

As a game, forget it. Frustrating to come away with no points. As an oddity on the landscape it had way more than its share. However, if you watch some games carefully, you'll find that these 'rare oddities' are quite common.

Posted 3:01 AM by Chris |

I'm in deep with a bunch of stuff this week, so I haven't been able to keep up with the Leafs like I like to. However, a pair of eyes has rushed to the rescue and incurable fan Steve Church came over the boards to give me a hand. So here is the first of two great game summaries from Steve, this weeks "Blogging the Leafs" guest editor...

December 10, 2002
Pittsburgh 2 at Toronto 4

Forwards
Renberg – Sundin – Fitzgerald
McCauley – Green – Tucker
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund
Healy – Antropov – Mogilny

Some tinkering on the PP, with Mogs getting double-shifted

Mogilny – Sundin (pk)
Reichel – Hoglund (pk)
McCauley - Fitzgerald (pk)

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
McCabe – Lumme
Berg – Jackman

Goal
Belfour

The League's premier power-play machine sliced into town to take on the League's 5th-rated penalty killers. The pre-game talk was all about magical Mario and not giving them a chance to unleash the power hounds.

When the final buzzer sounded, it had come off like a script. Neither team could pull off the killer strike, and an empty-net goal sealed the deal. Both teams had more than enough chances for running up the score. Both goalies were the key reason it didn't happen.

Mario was the like a jack-in-the-box. He'd pop up steal the show and then disappear off the radar. He passes without looking ...
successfully. He passes, and his pass is mysteriously in the net. Expectations of a win were almost crushed by a Lemieux flip-in off his own post rebound. On the Leafs' side, Sundin stood out and matched Lemieux's leadership by example.

The prettiest goal of the night was Kovalev on a breakaway - highlight reel stuff. A turnover, long-shot laser pass, from Lemieux caught the Leafs up-ice forechecking. The 'suddenest' goal of the night was an innocent puck loss behind the Pens net. Robert Reichel pounced and passed, and Jonas Hoglund wristed one over Aubin's right shoulder (the cameras almost missed it). The funniest goal of the night was Sundin's first goal. He had the puck to the left of the Pens' goal and got hooked off his feet; his stick swept around and the puck started hitting skates. While he was turning to complain about the hook the puck was sliding through Aubin's skates into the net. The clip right after was priceless - Mats was busy scowling about the call with a 'yea, yea I got
a goal, now where's your whistle, winkie?'

The first period was the most entertaining. Few whistles, lots of energy, and two teams sizing eachother up with 8th place in the
Conference at stake. Quinn was pulling an old rabbit out of the hat as he matched up the Sundin Line with the Lemieux Line. The pace-changer was the Leafs 2nd goal, like the condition lines were now drawn. It got more combative than free-flowing and fancy. Momentum shifted noticeably towards the Pens after a Leafs' goal was disallowed because of a hand-pass (Fitzgerald was flat on the ice and used his arm like the blade of stick ... it was more 'get that away from my face' stuff than a pass). After the score was tied it was face-to-face growling.

There was something almost wrong about what set up the deciding call. The refs had become more interested and whistle-happy as the game went on. A really lame interference call on Ference gave the Buds a break. On the PP rush, a Mogilny pass to Sundin (deja vu) hit paydirt.

The Pens didn't stop pressing, but the time was going short. The Leafs played aggressive defence to squeeze the clock down under a minute before Aubin could get off for a sixth attacker. The HAM Line (Healey, Antropov, Mogilny) battled the puck to Leafs' blueline, then out, then ganged it to their blue line. Healey's shot into the empty net was the curtain-dropper.

At the end of it, the game was two teams with stuff on the line playing great hockey. Leafs deserved the win. Pittsburgh didn't deserve the loss.

Posted 2:51 AM by Chris |

Those of you out there that collect memorabilia might be interested in a big Leafs auction that starts on December 10.

Are you listening Rich? "Rich...!" in South Africa is the perennial winner of the "Blogging the Leafs furthest flung fan competition." He recently won himself a small bag of Leaf goodies (actually it was an exchange for some South African cricket knick knacks).

This ain't a big blog, but it has reach...sort of a Salming type of thing.

PS. Jaunty readers: I have a lot of work coming up in the next week, so I won't be blogging the next few games. If anyone out there wants to do it for me, make sure you get the line combos so we can format it consistently and some personalized commentary and I'll post it all with good links when I'm back to the grind. Anyone who contributes gets free kudos from me.

Posted 2:41 PM by Chris |

December 7, 2002
New Jersey 0 at Toronto 1

Forwards
Renberg – Sundin – Fitzgerald
McCauley – Green – Corson
Domi – Reichel – Tucker
Healy – Antropov – Mogilny

Renberg – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Antropov – Reichel – Domi (pp)

Mogilny – Sundin (pk)
Reichel – Fitsgerald (pk)

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
Jackman – Lumme
Berg – McCabe

Goal
Belfour

Sixty three career shutouts, five this year and four in the last eight games. Belfour is playing as well as anyone in the League at the moment. Tonight was a tricky one to hang on to with the Devils pressing for about the last four minutes of the game, first with a power play and then with the extra attacker, but Eddie made all the stops, including huge ones of Turner Stevenson and Scott Gomez, to pull out the two points.

This game made the Islanders game seem like the anomaly that it was. Everything was back to normal for this one, including some good D from Kaberle and Svehla, picking up where they left off. Mogilny had a great game too, generating a lot of chances off the forecheck, and pressing on the powerplay. Several others had star turns as well, including Corson (who tweaked his groin again), Sundin and Green, who notched his first goal in 14 games. Kudos to the PK who remain in the top three in the league.

The key to this one was Belfour though, and especially late in the third period when New Jersey had a late powerplay, and then when they pressed for the tie in the dying seconds. Nieuwendyk was nearly perfect in winning his face offs against Sundin, but the Leafs D, especially Mogilny and Fitzgerald, Kaberle and Svehla were outstanding in keeping the play outside as much as they could, and clearing the crease when they did get beaten down low.

Actually in retrospect, there isn’t much else that can be said about this game apart from Belfour’s heroics. Sure the Leafs could have used another goal or two, and could have seized a little tighter control of the game, but overall, a win is a win and a shut out is a shutout, and the fact that I’m feeling complacent about writing anymore about is really the best of all possible signs that winning is the modus operandi again.

I now declare the turnaround complete. The next goal is making up some distance on the division rivals and grabbing a playoff spot.

Posted 3:47 AM by Chris |

December 6, 2002
Toronto 2 at New York Islanders 4

Forwards
Renberg – Sundin – Fitzgerald
Tucker – Corson – Belak
Domi – Reichel – Hoglund
Healy – Antropov – Mogilny

Tucker – Antropov – Healy
Domi – Reichel – Mogilny

Renberg – Sundin – Mogilny (pp)
Tucker – Reichel – Antropov (pp)

Mogilny – Sundin (pk)
Reichel – Healy (pk)
Reichel – Fitzgerald (pk)

Defense
Svehla – Kaberle
Jackman – Lumme
Berg – McCabe

Goal
Kidd

The billing for this one was better than the game itself. There were all kinds of things said before hand about how the Islanders were going to get a piece of the Leafs. Notable orators like Dave Scatchard even went so far as to warn the Leafs of doom if the Isles got a lead. in the end, Peca and Tucker seemed to have reconciled,. and any lingering hatreds were resovled when Shane Corson and Dave Scatchard fought after Domi and Godard

Other than Steve Webb’s late hit on Hoglund that concussed him out, utter stupidity was largely absent from the game. Unless you count the defensive zone coverage of Robert Svehla, who didn’t have his bets game of the last little while.

But after a week which saw the Leafs roll through another shutout in Philly, nuke the Sabres 3-1 to crawl back to .500 and come back to beat Tampa Bay in overtime (yeah Karl Pilar!) I guess the Leafs were bound to have a smelly night. Too bad Trevor Kidd had to be in goal for it. This was his first game with the “new and improved” Leafs, and he didn’t exactly hold up his end of the bargain.

The Antropov line, which has been really hot to date cooled right off, and other lines just rolled up and disappeared. Sundin’s line had the only goals, the first from a gritty piece of work by Sundin and Fitzgerald and the second shorthanded. The penalty kill continues its amazing play, but gave up one crucial goal. Otherwise the offense sputtered out a very low 15 shots while the defense conceded 37 and left the spot in front of the net very clear and open. Three of the Isles four goals were scored by unchecked men in front of the Leafs net.

With McCabe back in the line up, perhaps Quinn should reassemble his pairing with Kaberle. Svehla and Kaberle played like they did at the beginning of November when things were falling apart. Made me a little worried with Kidd in goal and the D turning the puck over and not being able to clear the zone.

Lots of intangibles to this game too, enough to make it an anomaly. The Leafs got in a day late due to a blizzard, and Quinn talked about how much the hype around the game had turned off the Leafs. It certainly had the opposite effect on the Isles.

The “playoff rivals revisited” tour continues back home tonight with New Jersey in the house.


Posted 1:27 AM by Chris |