POGGE SHINES IN NHL DEBUT

Well then, this had to be one of the top items on Brian Burke’s list, which was to see the 22 year old blue chip prospect Justin Pogge get into an NHL game. With a groin injury to starter Vesa Toskala, Pogge was called up and got his chance to show what he is capable of doing in net.

He got to start in Atlanta versus the defensive lacking Thrashers, and put up a great start, to what could be a promising career. Pogge earned his first career NHL win with a 6-2 win, which was high lighted by two spectacular and game saving saves.

His first ever NHL save was a real test, as it was off a one-timer and made a real good stop, with good rebound control.

Both those big saves came at crucial points during the game, where the Leafs were up 2-0 in the second period, and 3-1 in the third period. The first save came on an Atlanta power play, and he made the save with his left leg on a low cross ice pass with about 10 minutes to go in the second period. The second save was probably the best of them all, and literally stopped the shot with his stretched out toe, on what should’ve been a sure goal in the third.

If that save had not been made, the Thrashers would’ve cut the score down to 3-2 with twelve minutes to play in the game.

The Leafs built up on that save and scored a goal on the power play to make the score 4-1. The Thrashers did come back with a second goal, but the Leafs answered and restored their three goal lead, and potted an empty netter to seal the game for a 6-2 victory.

This game was controlled by the Leafs from the get go, and outplayed the Thrashers and exposed them on their week defensive game. This game was reminiscent of the one that was played this past Saturday when the Leafs beat up on the Penguins for a 7-3 win.

A second before the game turned one minute old, the Leafs scored on a broken play as the Thrashers did a horrible job on trying to clear the zone. But, Matt Stajan made a nice play on the line to keep the play on side and fed the puck to Nik Antropov who took a shot towards goal. Alex Ponikarovsky was the goal scorer, as he got one through the legs of Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen for his eleventh goal of the year off the rebound.

On the play, Nik Antropov picked up his first of three assists on the night, and extended his point scoring streak to four games. In that span, he has three goals and six assists.

The line of Stajan, Antropov and Ponikarovsky was on fire and the best line for the Leafs in the game. That line scored nine points, with each player picking up three points each, and Stajan had two goals.

One of the other Marlboro call-ups, Jeremy Williams, has shown he can pretty much score at will, and snapped home his fifth goal of the year, in just six games and improved his shooting percent to 33, making good on 5 of 15 shots so far. Williams also picked up an assist on the fourth Toronto goal.

Williams was playing on another line that has been clicking of late, with Jason Blake and Dominic Moore, which was the second best line for the Leafs. And that line had five points.

At that point Toronto had scored two goals on just seven shots, and out shot the Thrashers 18-6 in the period.

The Thrashers offensively had zero chances and no real threats. If they ever did gain the zone, the Leafs defense played the Thrashers tightly, and got the puck out of the zone quickly.

That kind of play helped out Justin Pogge, and the best part of it all, was the Leafs played smartly and consistently through the game.

In the second period, the Leafs continued their strong play and did not let up as the Leafs scored one of their best goals all year on a great passing play. Who else, but the Stajan, Antropov, and Ponikarovsky line scored that goal as things have just been going good for them as of late. And Stajan was the recipient who received the final pass and had an easy tap in goal.

On that goal, the Thrashers were caught on a bad line change with some tired players on the ice, and Ilya Kovalchuk was in position to make the play a 3-on-3 rush, but was just skating around and let his man go to the net untouched.

That put the Leafs up 3-0, and the goal came right after the Thrashers had their first real good scoring chance of the game which came at the 9.50 mark of the second period. Atlanta also had a power play opportunity, but wasted that chance. And you knew this wasn’t their night when Ilya Kovalchuk fanned on a one timer from the point. That rarely ever happens.

Late in the second, Colby Armstrong raced down the wing and shot a nice high shot short side, which would’ve been a difficult save to make for Pogge.

That late goal by the Thrashers helped them out to start the third period and showed some life, and had the momentum. But the Leafs killed all the energy Atlanta had built up, and made the score 4-1 on a power play.

The Leafs needed just six seconds to execute, as Pavel Kubina shot the puck from the point, and Dominic Moore scored on the rebound.

The Thrashers did get something going after that on solo penalty killing rush by Kovalchuk that hit the post. If he had scored that would’ve been his 500th career point. Later on Todd White did score with about 5.30 left, but again, the Leafs answered back.

Niklas Hagman scored his second goal in as many games since his return from the injured reserve. That play was created off as stupid no look back hand pass through the neutral zone made by the veteran Mathieu Schneider.

John Mitchell intercepted that pass, and made a slick pass across to Hagman for a 5-2 score.

Atlanta did have their moments in the third, but the Leafs thoroughly dominated the Thrashers in a complete team effort.

As for Justin Pogge, he was excellent in the game, was solid with good rebound control and did not show any signs of being nervous, and stopped 19 of 21 shots. The Leafs out shot the Thrashers 38-21, and went 1/5 on the power play.

As for the three game road trip, the Leafs went 2-1 with some impressive victories, outscored the opposition 18-13, and now find themselves three points out of a playoff spot. In their last ten games the Leafs have gone 6-4, and outscored the opposition 36-32.

In the next five games, the Leafs face three teams that are currently out of a playoff spot, and of the two teams that do have a playoff spot, they face the Buffalo Sabres, a team that is three points ahead of the Leafs. Don’t get your hopes up with the streak the Leafs are on. The Leafs have shown that they are consistent in being inconsistent, with the stretches of wins they have put together, which are shortly followed by a series of losses.

Up next is a home date with the Dallas Stars, who currently have some issues to deal with, and Niklas Hagman will most certainly be up for that game.


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