2013: The NHL season that almost wasn't

They had a quick interview with him after the game and he seemed like a different guy. More respectful, more mature and more serious. Hell, if Chicago can put with that douchebag Kane, they can bring Ray into the fold.

I don't think the stuff in Ottawas was overblown at all. He routinely was late for practices, crashed his Hummer and was, by some accounts, a bad teammate . He has this "tough guy" image going on although he'd be the last goalie in the league you'd want to get into a fight with.

 

Paging Sam Mills....the Leafs play the Whalercanes tonight. Leafs win and they jump to 7th in the conference.

 

If the Whalercanes win, maybe they can start thinking about eventually getting into the top eight. Need more from the forwards considering the offseason talent acquisition. Need stronger and more disciplined play from defense (think the recent home game vs. Ottawa). Need Cam to be ... well, Cam.

On cue, it's 1-0 Leafs in the Centre of the Hockey Universe.

 

Canes were turning over the puck like crazy but both Ward and Reimer were steady.

Old Mr. Perimeter, Phil Kessel, keeps hitting the post from the sideboards and shakes his head wondering why he didn't score .

 

Good to see two of my boys, Jay Harrison and Bobby Sanguinetti, manning the blue line for the Whalercanes.

 

It has been a long road through Charlotte for Sanguinetti, and there are times he has struggled so far this season.

As for Harrison, he has been invaluable. Excellent, steady stay-at-home guy who fully understands his role, stands up for teammates and seems to be an top-notch guy off the ice, too.

 

Leafs do a "Brampton Battalion" second period, fall asleep and go down 2-1.

 

Yeah, the Canes have been turnover-prone. Hasn't helped Ward's save percentage. There have also been some big brain farts in the back. Problem is among the six defensemen, only two - Tim Gleason and Jay Harrison - are comfortable staying back.

JR, didn't agree with the goal being waved off. IMO, no conclusive way to tell that Bozak was trying to kick in the puck. As a fan of the other team, cool. But more objectively, didn't agree.

 

Talked to Sanguinetti a bit yesterday. I am sure he figured he would be in the NHL a long time ago but he has stuck it out. he is working hard to improve his defensive play, that was always his biggest liability.

Harrison is one of my all-time fave people, a terrific, hard-working, dedicated player and a tremendous person off the ice. He really stuck it out and paid his dues to get a regular shot in the NHL.

 

Apt description, sadly, for me. And I thought that was a good goal.

 

Further proof that hockey players, including refs, are tough as nails. Ref Marc Joanette loses 2 teeth, takes 13 stitches when a Phaneuf clearing shot off the glass hits him the face. Comes back and finishes his job.

 

About the only thing that went wrong, excepting an early shot that got by Mr. Ward, on Monday night. Good to see him back.