What a wonderful tribute to Toronto Maple Leafs legend Borje Salming. His 16 year career started in 1973-74 and ended with him becoming one of the greatest Leafs ever. There was another tribute before tonight’s game – I can never get enough of this !
Tonight’s match brought the 4-7-3 Vancouver Canucks to Scotiabank. Team President Jim Rutherford has been making some noise in the press, taking pot shots at his popular coach Bruce Boudreau. The Canucks are 6th of 8 in the lightweight Pacific division and will need success shortly if Brucey is to survive. Second stringer Spencer Martin got the start in goal, sporting a respectable 3-0-1/3:45 GAA/above >900 save percentage. The promising # 1 Thatcher Demko has struggled thus far (1-7-2/4.01/.874) and will play the second of the back-to-back vs the Bruins tomorrow.
Erik Kalgren got his second start of the weekend for Toronto. We are being told that Matt Murray will be ready to start on Tuesday. Without the most under rated Leaf, TJ Brodie, in the line-up Jordie Benn was got his first start as a Leaf.
In honour of another great Borje opening ceremony, Coach Keefe sent his own gesture, by starting Nylander/Engvall/Jarnkrok/Liligren and Sandin to open the game. Once the contest got going, it was easy to tell that Marner was back with Tavares and Mathews had Nylander on his right. Great start – but you could see that the Canuckuckelheads had come to play. Bo Horvat opened the scoring less than 3 minutes in with a beautiful tip off a Luke Schen point shot. JT Miller popped in a power play goal (his 8th) just 10 seconds after Michael Bunting was sent off. Did I hear some boo birds from way up in the greys ?
The Leaf players shut those bleacher bums up in a hurry to start the second. They were handed a power play at the :30 second mark and Mathews just hammered his 7th with a bullet from Marner and Tavares. During the 7th minute the Toronto forecheck was so ferocious with 3 or 4 legitimate chances, that finally the near invisible Pierre Engvall popped in an open netter that even you and I couldn’t miss. New recruit Jordy Benn got his first Leaf goal in his first Leaf game to give Toronto heir first lead thanks to support from Reilly and Nylander.
Great battle between 2 teams that really needed a win. That third period provided drive from both squads, solid goaltending, and a will to win. I love Brice Boudreau and wish him well – but this just doesn’t seem to be his kind of team – I hope I’m wrong. Kalgren was full measure for the win. A well deserved Tranna win.
HOPPER NOTES: Am I the only one that is totally amazed that Brock Boesser has not scored an NHL goal ?!? …wouldn’t you have absolutely loved to have been in that box with Salming, Sittler, Tiger ? No matter the sadness…I can see where Jordie Benn could become a real Leaf favorite (along the lines of Bob the Baun, Glennie etc)…down the line, would Bo Horvat, Ryan O’Reilly ?….seems those boo birds went home disappointed…guys I’d like on my team Tyler Myers…Sorry about Brucey – we’re about the same age – we were both pretty good looking back in the 70’s, we both went bald and chumped up….I always cheered him on….we were both too short but he had skill and I never did…always love your comments -CHEERS !
Good game and report Dave. Couldn’t agree more about the tributes to Salming. He is the best athlete I’ve ever seen up close on the ice. I’d like to see more of Jordie Benn to get a sense of who he is as a player. Although it seems to me that it would make more sense to sit Holl in favour of Benn. Was Holl a minus two last night? He was certainly on the ice and out of position for both Vancouver goals.
The Leafs in a nutshell..
They never ever dominate an opponent or make the opponent play their game.
Leafs 3 Vancouver 2
Next game the Canucks play..
Boston 5
Vancouver 2