Unlike most hockey players, Auston Matthews didn’t grow up playing hockey outside on a pond, or a backyard rink. Not a lot of mistakes or a lot of chances.
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The big stage is one thing, and it promises to be a good show in front of an expected crowd of 35,000 down by the lake shore but after soaking up the atmosphere during a practice Saturday, the Leafs are ready to get back to business.
Dave Keon, who spent 15 seasons with the Leafs, winning the rookie of the year award in 1961 and guiding Toronto to four Stanley Cups, highlighted 15 Maple Leafs announced.
“It was a blast”, he said after taking advantage of an oppoortunistic carom off the backboard and wristing the puck past Detroit goalie Jared Coreau for the game-winner. He didn’t have a great angle.
Not even the late third-period Detroit comeback could prevent Toronto from building on the confidence the Leafs say they acquired during this winning streak.
“It’s disappointing losing. It’s really disappointing losing in overtime”, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. We’re not suggesting Matthews get the C in the middle of his rookie season, but certainly, we can expect a news conference some time during the off-season or around the time of training camp next fall.
Matthews grabbed two goals during the matchup. Obviously we know they’re having great years and their skill and creativity is evident. I took a little peek before Tats shot the puck at the time left.
Crosby: “The game on the line and to see this many people, I mean, it’s mind-boggling”. They had the same kind of period.
The Maple Leafs were in control at 4-1 with just over seven minutes remaining thanks to Leo Komarov, Mitchell Marner, Connor Brown and Matthews, until the Red Wings rallied to force an additional period in Toronto.
“With his shot, he’s going to score a lot of goals”.
After two periods, Detroit had an 18-17 edge in shots on goal.
“The fans enjoy it and the players enjoy it”, Bettman said, adding that three games are now planned for next year, regardless of whether the National Hockey League participates in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. “I thought he held his ground real good”.
The game created as part of the Leafs’ and NHL’s 100th season and it was this city’s first dalliance with the NHL’s outdoor games. Matthews is now on pace for just over 220 with clubs averaging nearly three fewer power plays per game.
Coreau said of his performance: “Not good enough”. That’s not to mention that the Raptors went to the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals last spring and remain a hot ticket this season, the Blue Jays made the Major League Baseball playoffs again in the fall and sold tickets through the (retractable) roof, and Toronto FC reached the MLS Cup final for the first time in franchise history.
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Off the ice, Martin has tried to set an example and be a mentor to the younger players, in particular Mitch Marner and Matthews. “We’ve got the world juniors going on now with this outdoor game it’s definitely a fun time and a great atmosphere for us and a great experience”.
