Leafs Lose, Broad Side of Barn Safe

by Greener on Dec 31, 2009 2:00 PM EST

In preparing to write this post about last night's Leafs/Oilers game, I tried to think of a bunch of cliches that I could use to illustrate my frustration. "Flat as a Pancake" was a good start. "Give the Shirt Off Your Back" was a bit of a stretch and "You've Got Ants in Your Pants" kind of turned me on, so it wasn't until I came across "The Leafs Can't Hit the Broad Side of a Fucking Barn" did I know I hit the seam.

So, the Leafs can't hit the broad side of a fucking barn and doesn't newly minted Vezina trophy candidate Jeff Deslauriers know it? Deslauriers, yet another average NHL goalie who gets the once a season treat of having his stats inflated at the Leafs expense, coasted to the win at Rexall Place for once not disappointing his parents. I'm not sure about you but I am sick to death of the Leafs making their opponents' 'Goalie of the Future' look like their 'Goalie of the Present'.

Remember the good old days when all we had to fuss about was Jason "I Hate Logos" Blake making sure he ruined the very center of a goalies' jersey with yucky black puck marks? Well the Leafs have decided to be the bane of a different team employee; going from the guy who does the teams laundry to the guy who paints the end boards at the end of the season.

He_score_he_shoot_leafs_barn_medium

On an interesting side note, this was going to be a post about how much I hate Vesa Toskala, but I found that typing is hard to do with clenched fists. I learned early on in life that anger is something which needs to be expressed, and not buried deep, deep, deep inside, so I promise I'll talk about this black hole in my heart the next time Vesa Toskala is inextricably given the start in another Leafs game. Until then I want to wish Joey MacDonald all the best for the new year.

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Comments

did i hear they scored one because Vesa DUCKED?

Trying to find the video of that one.

Yeah, what can you do. This team. Building blocks of the future are definitely there, but nights like last night remind me that the nuggets we have are still very raw and lack consistency. I’m impatient for the future to be now.

This team’s hard to love sometimes, but I do. Without regret.

by pevans on Dec 31, 2009 2:12 PM EST reply actions

Check the Maple Leafs website for “Game in six” nice recap and about 3 different angles on the bad angle shot that went over Toskala’s head. It was brutal

Wendel Killer Joseph

by MapleLeafMole on Dec 31, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

haha

just saw it. Hilarious.

Why a goalie would be down, his knees on the ice, to face a slapshot from inside the blue line along the boards I don’t know, but I’m not an NHL goalie. Of course, neither is Toskala.

I also like Millen’s comment when Toskala makes a nice glove save in the second. “He just made up for his mistake in the first.” Um, no. It’s still 1-0. Making up for a goal that was your fault would be scoring a goal in response. Which would be awesome.

by pevans on Dec 31, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

Pevans, I had the EXACT same shouting match with the TV.

He Score, He Shoot! Number To Be Retired After Illustrious Career

by Greener on Dec 31, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

me too
THE GOALIE IS SUPPOSED TO SAVE THE PUCK. MAKING ONE GOOD SAVE DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR A SOFTY

All we are is dust in the wind

by Duster on Dec 31, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

And the other thing is, a terrible goal like that has more of an affect on the bench than a huge save. Especially with a team like the Leafs who have no confidence in Toskala. There is a game long impact to a mistake that big.

He Score, He Shoot! Number To Be Retired After Illustrious Career

by Greener on Dec 31, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

before the goal, the Leafs were all over the oilers, they werent hitting the net, but they had them hemmed in the offensive zone all period
after the goal, flat as 2 day old spilled beer

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 31, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

Cut to: The Leafs coming back to life with two minutes left in the third. Thanks Ves!

He Score, He Shoot! Number To Be Retired After Illustrious Career

by Greener on Dec 31, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

Totally agree. It’s amazing how many missed shots they had.

by Connie Kim on Dec 31, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

It’s almost exactly what Toskala did on the first goal by the Penguins. A shot from outside the circles and Toskala was on his knees already.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Dec 31, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

Every time the camera finds Toskala after a shot he looks like he’s getting himself out of bed.

He Score, He Shoot! Number To Be Retired After Illustrious Career

by Greener on Dec 31, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

In case you were wondering, MacDonald looked fantastic in the Marlies win last night, shutting Peoria out until about 7 minutes left in the third until the Marlies seemed intent on giving the game away. He made a number of great point-blank saves and a bunch of nice saves in traffic.

Resident Capologist

by clrkaitken on Dec 31, 2009 2:58 PM EST reply actions

Peoria is a talented bunch

If he can shut em down thats saying something.
Also
If you push the keys really hard you can pretend each one is a miniature punch to Toskalas face.

by Icion on Dec 31, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

I didn’t watch this one… I saw the first 7 minutes of the game and then it was 10PM

1) Edmonton – long losing streak
2) Toskala in net

That does not equal win.

"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 31, 2009 6:23 PM EST reply actions

Toskala in net rarely does equal win. The Leafs almost have to play with superhuman effort to win with the Vesa in the net… and we know with the current group of skaters that that does not happen very often.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on Dec 31, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

I was at this game. I use the word “game” loosely. A pathetic display from both sides. A couple of lucky breaks and the Oiler’s win. Was looking forward to this game for months. Sorely disappointed. The Leafs are a way better team with Jonas behind them. They definitely play with more confidence. Trade Vesa to Kentucky for a bucket of chicken and bring back Joey.

by Rythmnman on Jan 1, 2010 5:24 PM EST reply actions