Toronto Maple Leafs: Injuries at Forward Could Spell Trouble

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to Boston last night, dropping a 5-2 decision in a game which saw young Blake Wheeler net his first career hat-trick.

Some female fan was so overjoyed about it, she threw her bra on the ice in lieu of a hat, which, for the record, I am all for embracing as a new way of celebrating a player who turns the hat-trick.

It was also a game where, once again, the Maple Leafs fell back 2-0 early, and 3-0 going into the third, before eventually trying to make a game out it.  However, they apparently went to the well one too many times, and couldn't come back to erase the deficit.

The loss dropped Toronto to 5-5-4, good for 10th in the Eastern Conference. 

Mikhail Grabovski and Alex Steen scored for the Maple Leafs. 

The storyline of the night however, appears to be injuries suffered to two of the Leafs' key offensive contributors.

Nik Antropov left the game early after blocking a point blast off of his foot.  He has what the team is describing as a bruised foot, and coach Ron Wilson says he doesn't think it's major.  X-Rays done on Antropov early Friday morning were negative, and he is day-to-day. 

John Mitchell, however, wasn't so fortunate.  He went down last night with a shoulder injury, after taking a hard hit from Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward.

Mitchell spoke to reporters after the game and said he separated his shoulder.  Although the club said there is no immediate timeframe for his return, it will be measured in weeks.

If these two injuries are even the least bit serious, look for Cliff Fletcher to throw his press box defensemen in play in an attempt to shore up the forward position.

Fletcher has gone on record saying he was looking for a scoring forward, and if these injuries are serious, it will certainly get the ball rolling.