TAKE TAKE THAT TB !

I did not know what was going to happen in game two of the Eastern Conference quarter final between Tampa Bay and the Toronto Maple Leafs.  There, I said it.

The Lightning came out SO hard in game one, completely smothering the Leafs in every facet of the game.  They went up 2 zip in the blink of an eye, scored 4 PPG and were dominant throughout – Brayen Point, Ilya Kucherov, team defence, their 4^th line – you name it.  One of the only things in the Leafs favour was that 2 stud defencemen, Erik Cernak and Victor Hedman would not play.

Coach Keefe naturally had to make some adjustments.  In came 20 year old Mathew Knies from the press box to play on a new third line with Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Accarai.  Alex Kerfoot was promoted to the second line and Callle Jarnkrock moved up to first line left wing to replace Bunting.

What a difference a couple of days make – 48 little hours.  In an almost ”opposite world” phenomenon, the Toronto Maple Leafs went ahead 1-0 within :47 seconds of the first with Mitchell Marner pounding a 5 hole slapper past Vaselevski to re-ignite the faithful.  Marc Giordano then got the better Bogoshian in a brief scrap at the 4 minute mark to show the Leafs meant business on this night.  Ilya Samsanov looked solid on a couple of occasions to maintain a shutout form.  Morgan Reilly made an assertive move in to the corner off a face off to feed John Tavares for a 2-0 lead.  Just to match Tuesday night’s debacle, Willy Nylander made it 3 zip on Reilly’s 3^rd assist.  No BOO Birds tonight.

If not for All World Goalie Vasilevskiy the Toronto club could have made it 6-0 in the first 5 minutes.  Hats off to the guy.  The Leafs totally dominated the first 9 minutes with all 4 lines.  Ian Cole came up on a harmless rush to challenge and a 3-1 goal.  A great breakout from tonight’s MVP Reilly led to Captain Johny’s second and the apparent backbreaker at 4-1.  The hard working 4^th line of the T.O. squad got a well deserved slammer as Ashton-Reese put in a David Kampf rebound.  Had enough?  No, Marner popped in his second from TJ Brodie to twist the dagger as had happened on Tuesday.  6-1 Tranna after 2. 

Somewhat surprisingly, Coach Cooper left goalie Vasilevskiy in the cage for the third period.  If I was in that room, I’d be saying as ALL coaches would be saying, “Let’s go out there and win the third”.   Luke Schenn (warrior that he is) got goaded into a scrap with Jeanerette early and held his own.  My question: other than him, who is going to stand up ?  Que Wayne Simmons.  Nemisis Perry scored to make it 6-2 before John Tavares completed his hat trick to make the final 7 to 2 Toronto.

HOPPER NOTES:  That Mathew Knies is a keeper – watch as he keeps control of the puck along the boards…LOVE that third line with O’Rielly, Accurai and Knies…think about it- do the Leafs have the toughness to match Bogosian, Perry, Morron ?  My ACE Reporter was on location on Tuesday and after the Leafs went south there were reports of shameless heckling from behind directed at one Justin Holl…in one case, Justin face planted in the corner, only to hear a heckler say, “that’s OK Justin, I remember when I was first learning to SKATE.”…loved the Leafs 4^th line tonight…AM34 please come back ! …Leafs Nation Rejoice – all is well ! CHEERS !