LEAFS PERSEVERE IN BOSTON

A Leafs comeback was finally completed as Toronto beat the Boston Bruins 4-2 in front of a scarce TD Bank North Garden.

After another poor start to a hockey game, the Leafs found themselves down 2-0 early for the second straight game. And for the second straight game the Leafs staged a comeback, and this time completed it with a win in regulation.

There was a positive for the Bruins as Patrice Bergeron scored his first goal of the year, and first since missing 72 games last season due to a concussion injury. That goal meant a lot to Bergeron on a mental note. The other Boston goal was scored by Blake Wheeler that was deflected in off Leaf defenceman Anton Stralman. That was all Boston could get, and those goals were scored in 31 seconds.

The Leafs could’ve easily bowed out of this game because the Bruins actually looked like bears on the ice. They were playing big and mauled any player that came into their sightline. Just ask Matt Stajan, who got knocked down on a clean body check by Denis Wideman. The kid, Luke Schenn, came in and stood up for his teammate and went after the Bruins. He was penalized but the Leafs didn’t mind it. Next time Matt Stajan shouldn’t admire his passes, instead he should keep his head up.

Then Milan Lucic got into the act and rubbed out Mike Van Ryn along the boards and the glass itself shattered into pieces. The two players got out of the incident with not a scratch, while two fans got cut above their heads.

The Leafs didn’t back down in this game, they played hard and got themselves a power play in the second period. They made good use of it with a Mike Van Ryn goal, which was his first as Maple Leaf, and of the year. On the night, the Leafs went 2-7 on the power play.

That goal pretty much summed up the night in those two minutes; because they did everything right to score a goal. With some good hitting, a cycle game, smart passing, and set up screens.

Still in the second, the Leafs scored an even strength goal from Nik Antropov who deposited a pretty pass from Alex Ponikarovsky. And Antropov now has four goals in his last three games. The line of Stajan, Ponikarovsky and Antropov has really been playing well together ever since head coach Ron Wilson called them out.

Heading into the third it looked like another Leafs game was headed for overtime or the dreaded shoot out, but didn’t. The go ahead goal all started from their own end of the ice. Boston’s Phil Kessel streaked down the ice, was stopped by Luke Schenn, and he made the outlet pass to get the Leafs out of the zone. In doing so, got checked by Michael Ryder into the boards and paid the price for a good goal. Alex Steen dumped the puck into the Boston zone; the Leafs retained the puck, took a shot towards goal and was stopped. The rebound leaked out to Anton Stralman who scored the game winning goal through the legs of Tim Thomas with 9.14 left to play in the game.

From then on, the Leafs held on, and Boston had their chances if a few bounces went their way. For good measure Nik Hagman scored into the empty net with two seconds left in the game on a power play that ran out the clock.

Once again the Leafs were backed by another strong start from Vesa Toskala who made 26 saves and recorded his 100th career NHL victory. Mike Van Ryn has really come into his own and is playing some good smart hockey. With each passing game Luke Schenn is building his case to prove he belongs in the NHL with the Leafs. Jason Blake was a healthy scratch for the game due to his bad performance so far this season. Jeff Finger, it looks like will make his Leafs and season debut this Saturday, October 25 versus the Ottawa Senators after recovering from a broken toe.


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