Media a-buzz with Schenn’s Monday night shoot-out winner
September 30, 2008 by MrT
Filed under Daily Round-Up
Luke Schenn took the first non-driveway hockey shootout attempt of his life last night and wound up with the game-winning goal, sparking yet another flurry of media speculation as to whether he can make the Leafs roster out of camp this year.
In addition to the many recaps of last night’s 4-3 SO victory over the Blues, there is yet another rumour of RIM’s Balsillie being poised to purchase the Preds (quickly denied) as well as various reports of goings-on around the NHL.
Last Night’s Game
- Luke Schenn-sational for Leafs in shootout Toronto Star
- Rookie steps up Toronto Sun
- The Poker Dude Toronto Sun
- Schenn continues to shine in preseason MapleLeafs.com
- Leafs lifted in shootout by Schenn NHL.com
- Schenn lifts Leafs over Blues in shootout CBC Hockey
- Cool Hand Luke TSN
- Schenn shows offensive flair in shootout win Faceoff.com
Leafs NHL News
- Mayers relishes playing for hometown team Globe & Mail
- Living in Leafs’ spotlight SLAM
- Maple Leafs roster shrinks Toronto Star
NHL News & Rumours
- Balsillie reportedly close to buying Preds (again!) FAN590
- Balsillie denies Predators rumour Sportsnet
- Hawks put Khabibulin on waivers Toronto Sun
- Gonchar likely to miss up to 6 months Pittsburgh Post-gazette
- Kelly: As many as eight teams could open next season in Europe ESPN
- Truth & Rumours SI.com
- Spector’s Trade Rumours Spector’s Hockey
Schenn shoots out the lights in Leafs win
September 29, 2008 by RobDM
Filed under Leafs Game Recaps
Leafs rookie defenceman Luke Schenn scored the shootout winner in Toronto’s 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues at Air Canada Centre on Monday night. Schenn made a nice backhand move on Blues goalie Manny Legace, firing the puck over the netminder’s pad for the goal that held up as the game winner.
Niklas Hagman had a pair of goals for the Leafs in regulation time with Alex Steen registering his first tally of the pre-season.
Former Leafs first-round pick Brad Boyes, a 43-goal scorer with the Blues last season, had opened the scoring in the game.
The two teams meet again at St. Louis’ Savvis Center on Wednesday.
Forward Lines: Kulemin-Antropov-Grabovski, Tlusty–Mitchell-Devereaux, Ponikarovsky-Steen-Hagman, Rogers-Mayers-Bell
Defence pairings: Kubina-Colaiacovo, Van Ryn-White, Kaberle-Schenn
Goaltenders: Toskala (W 64:50, 28 SV, 3 GA ), Joseph (0:00)
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards
Leafs prepare for the Blues…in more ways than one
September 29, 2008 by MrT
Filed under Daily Round-Up
While Ducks fans rejoice at the sweetheart deal Teemu Selanne has given to Burke, Leafs fans (or rather, Leafs beat reporters) are already showing signs of impatience. Luckily, coach Ron Wilson doesn’t share that sense of frustration and sees some encouraging things to build upon.
John Mitchell seems to be turning a few heads with his pre-season performance as the somewhat battered and bruised shot-blocking Leafs team prepares to host the Blues tonight at the ACC. Toskala will start, with CuJo slated to be between the pipes when the rebuilding two teams square off again in St Louis on Wednesday.
Kypreos’ expense account defies all logic, but he does have a nice sit-down with Mats at the former Leafs captain’s cottage on the Baltic Sea.
All that, and more, in today’s round-up.
Tonight’s Game
Leafs NHL News
- Mitchell building a case SLAM
- Shot blocking creates better defence, nice bruises too Toronto Star
- Wilson keeps Leaf collapse in Buffalo in perspective Toronto Star
- Shoalts fails to grasp the idea of rebuilding or to comprehend Wilson’s central message to the press Globe & Mail
- A mystifying pretzel of logic (?!?) from Loewen Toronto Sun
- Spector’s “Eastern Conference Storylines” preview FOX Sports
- Preaching patience Yahoo Sports
- Picking up Leafs (SN’s team preview) Sporting News
- Leafs season preview Faceoff.com
Marlies & Leafs Prospects News
- Marlies camp overview from John Bartlett Marlies.com
ExLeafs Leafs Media News
NHL News & Rumours
- Spector’s Hockey Rumour Roundup Spector’s Hockey
- Kevin Allen’s take on the NE Division USA Today
- Selanne inks two year sweetheart deal to remain a Duck NHL.com
- Cox fishing for a raise? Toronto Star
- NHL launches beta version of its new website NHL.com
- Truth & Rumours SI.com
Pogge shows brilliance, still needs work
September 28, 2008 by RobDM
Filed under Daily Round-Up
Both the best and worst of Leafs goaltending prospect Justin Pogge were on display at HSBC Arena last night. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding for the first 57 minutes of the game, but his flub on the last shot he faced – in overtime – cost Toronto a chance at two points.
“Obviously, he wishes he had the last goal back and that’s kind of why he’s not ready to play yet in the NHL,” said head coach Ron Wilson following the game. “He shows he’s got great talent and we have to be patient with him.”
Here are the headlines of stories relating to the Leafs and the Marlies in the news this morning:
Leafs NHL News
- Anger management Toronto Sun
- Wilson: Pogge ‘not ready to play in the NHL’ Toronto Sun
- Pogge perfect…for 57 minutes Toronto Star
- Kotalik’s OT goal lifts Sabres past Leafs AP
- Precious Little Mercy From Wilson FAN 590
Ex-Leafs News
- Richardson earns another year here Ottawa Sun
NHL and Hockey News
- Farewell, Reggie Dunlop Toronto Sun
- Putting the pieces together Ottawa Sun
- Silenced voice still resonates in puck essays Toronto Star
- Aucoin knows his job could be on the line Calgary Herald
- Sens leave on winning note CP
- Canucks win third straight AP
NHL News & Rumours
- Truth & Rumors SI.com
- Spector’s Trade Rumours Spector’s Hockey
Dejavu: Leafs cough up lead in defeat
September 27, 2008 by RobDM
Filed under Leafs Game Recaps
For the second consecutive night, the Toronto Maple Leafs held a third period lead, only to squander it, and lose the game. Buffalo’s Ales Kotalik scored at 1:03 in overtime to give the Sabres a 3-2 win at HSBC Arena.
The game was scoreless after two periods. Toronto jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of third period goals by Ian White and Pavel Kubina. Derek Roy responded with a power-play marker for Buffalo with 2:21 remaining in regulation. Less than five second remained in the period when the tying goal was scored by Paul Gaustad on a power-play with the Leafs’ John Mitchell in the penalty box, and Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller on the bench.
The end result spoiled a superb outing by Leafs goalie Justin Pogge, who went the distance between the pipes making 29 saves.
Toronto heads home to host St. Louis on Monday evening.
Forward Lines: Tlusty-Stajan-Blake, Earl-Mitchell-Ponikarovsky, Kulemin-Grabovski-Williams, Hollweg-Devereaux-Bell
Defence pairings: Kubina-Van Ryn, White-Kronwall, Stralman-Frogen
Goaltenders: Pogge (OT/L 61:02, 3 GA, 29 SV), Toskala (0:00)
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards
Leafs regroup after loss to Pittsburgh
September 27, 2008 by RobDM
Filed under Daily Round-Up
Leafs first-round draft pick Luke Schenn is impressing during the pre-season, but will likely be returned to junior.
The team attempts to shake off its late collapse at the hands of the Penguins in last night’s 5-4 loss. Toronto’s exhibition season continues in Buffalo tonight.
Here are the headlines of stories relating to the Leafs and the Marlies in the news this morning:
Leafs NHL News
- Leafs set new goals Toronto Sun
- There’s method to Fletch’s madness Toronto Sun
- Schenn in tough Toronto Sun
- Late collapse spells defeat for Leafs Toronto Star
- Crosby and Penguins undo some good work by Leafs Toronto Star
- Leafs let lead slip, fall to Penguins National Post
- Leafs Notebook: Wilson takes shine to Schenn National Post
- Pair inject some fighting spirit into Leafs lineup The Globe And Mail
- Wilson Knows Leafs’ Tendencies FAN 590
NHL and Hockey News
- Crosby makes impressive return CP
- Hossa defends ‘crazy’ choice Toronto Sun
- Ducks deal Schneider to Atlanta Toronto Sun
- Ducks cooked in salary cap deal Toronto Star
- Alfredsson gets to take NHL home Ottawa Citizen
- Tavares in top gear Toronto Sun
- Habs blank Sens CP
- Historic Habs celebrate 100 years The Globe And Mail
- With Gretzky The Globe And Mail
NHL News & Rumours
- Truth & Rumors SI.com
- Spector’s Trade Rumours Spector’s Hockey