Toronto Vs. Anaheim Game Review- Plus: Thoughts On The Shootout

Last night’s game was a well played, surprising game. The Leafs were able to show they can compete.  There was however one small thing I can’t get over.

Many times over the last little while, the Leafs have gone into 3^rd periods with leads that they have built-up over the first 2 periods. Every time blowing the lead in the last five minutes. Last night the exact opposite happened. 2-0, the Leafs closed the gap to one heading into the 3^rd period.

Nik Antropov scored twice for the Blue and White to tie the game in the last minute of the 3^rd period, with goals assisted by Ponikarovsky. The Leafs, for the first time, were on the good side of a comeback. Toskala had played somewhat well in net; it certainly was not his best outing, held off the (once Mighty) Ducks during Overtime.

Even with Toskala holding fort in the pipes, the Leafs were unable to put the rubber behind J.S Giguere.

The Leafs had yet to win in the shootout this year, and last night would prove no different. This is the part that really gets me, after the OT, just before the shoot-out began, Leafs Coach Ron Wilson made the switch,He exchanged starting goaltender Vesa Toskala for Back-up Curtis Joseph. Nothing against CuJo, but......Really Ron, really?

Only once have I ever seen this work, it also included Ducks (this is the only video I could find of it, it’s a little long):

Watch this video by clicking here

All in all, the Leafs played a solid game last night. Nothing too bad happened, no one put the puck in their own net in Overtime or anything. Keep it up boys; we’ll win another game sooner or later