Darren Calabrese
The smart move for hockey fans last night was to ignore the guys in blue and white with the maple leaf on their chest in favour of the guys in red and white with the maple leaf on their chest.
While Canada put in a solid team effort in waxing the Americans 4-1 at the world junior hockey championship semi-final in Buffalo, the Leafs struggled in the same areas that have plagued the team all season in a 2-1 loss to the Bruins. So much for that 2011 enthusiasm generated by the 5-1 slaughter of the Senators on New Year's Day.
Instead of wallowing in yet another defeat, we'll use the first Leaf Links column of the year to point out a few positives. The blue and white actually had a strong start last night, highlighted by that sweet Luke Schenn lob pass that sent Mikhail Grabovksi in all alone on Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask. While we're on the subject, Schenn and Grabovski have been far and away the most consistent performers for the Leafs this season. Mercurial winger Phil Kessel seemed fully engaged against his former squad for a change and James Reimer didn't look out of place between the pipes.
Sure, it's not a long list, but at this point in another lost season it's important to cling to the rare bright spots.
The links:
Good take by Mirtle on the latest Ron Wilson media rant. It's like he forgets he coaches in Toronto sometimes.
Toronto Star columnist Rosie DiManno says the Maple Leafs are a Bermuda Triangle for goalies.
Toronto Sun reporter Lance Hornby on the loss.
Michael Traikos of the National Post on the strong play of Tuukka Raask.
Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald on the Bruins' win.
Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe says the Bruins are feeling good.
Tim Hortons has launched Leafs-themed doughnuts. Disgruntled fans prepare to launch said doughnuts on to the ACC ice.
Michael Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories says the rebuilding project is stuck in neutral.
Down Goes Brown offers up a mid-season evaluation of the six Canadian teams.
Random hockey link: I quite enjoy this Ovechkin ESPN commercial.