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# Sunday's FTB: Semifinal day
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/sundays-ftb-semifinal-day/
- Published: 2026-11-15T11:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-15T11:00:00.000Z
- Description: And the Leafs dulled their way to a dull loss.
- Author: Cathy Squires
- Tags: From The Branches

At worlds today, the semifinals feature Canada vs Sweden at 9 am Toronto time, and USA vs Finland at 1 pm. 

The new format has delivered one surprise that is deserved. Sweden earned their way into the semis. 

The gold medal game is Monday because the IIHF is just like this. 

Meanwhile, the IIHF has made a move in the battle over reinstating Russia:

> The IIHF has filed a challenge with the Court of Arbitration for Sport on the grounds that two of the three panel members in the decision to reinstate Russia had undisclosed business ties to Russia, per TSN’s Gord Miller. [pic.twitter.com/LsIYZCJxqp](https://t.co/LsIYZCJxqp?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — TSN (@TSN\_Sports) [November 13, 2026](https://x.com/TSN%5FSports/status/2121340242267705536?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

This comes after Russia asked to have the WJC moved out of Canada because of the government ban on Russian athletes playing there. 

> Informed that the Canadian government has refused to allow Russian players to take part in the upcoming World Junior Championship, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation responded that there are two alternatives: find another host country (it says Russia should be considered) or cancel the tournament.
> 
> — [Gord Miller 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 (@gmillertsn.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:s2h5nxtza3ijjbecksrjol7j?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2026-11-13T13:14:00.387Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:s2h5nxtza3ijjbecksrjol7j/post/3n272tt4qik2e?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

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[Quick Shifts: Why Zack MacEwen has been good fit for Maple LeafsThe Maple Leafs' Zack MacEwen has drive and enthusiasm that is refreshing. Luke Fox digs into what makes him a home run and 11 more observations from around the NHL in this edition of Quick Shifts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/sn_favicon-ac61bb5d-7c90-417d-be97-63139ac6cdfe.ico)Sportsnet.caLuke Fox![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/CP177261639-1-9b873a31-8e9e-4899-9d07-510fffd993b3.jpg)](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/quick-shifts-why-zack-macewen-has-been-good-fit-for-maple-leafs/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

About last night. 

I don't know exactly what to think of that game. The Oilers were not great, but they were better in most ways, just not by much. The Leafs did well enough at checking the McDavid line, but they had no meaningful offensive answer of their own. 

The Leafs one goal was correctly called back for a high-stick tip-in. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that had been a good goal, and they were tied. Not an unfair outcome since the Oilers didn't play well enough to pad their lead, although they did play very strongly with the one-goal lead. But that's as good as I can say the Leafs were.

Read the names on each team that had the most effective shots:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-14-214306.png)

In reality, Ryan Tverberg had a couple of grade A chances. One he dusted the puck off, put it up on a golf tee and then fired a shot. That works in the AHL. Not his fault, but it's one of many reasons why a not-bad or maybe even good effort ends in a loss. 

This is the reality that is holding them back from surviving injuries or bad goalie nights: 

![](https://hockeyviz.com/fixedImg/shotLocOff/2627/TOR)

Even if they have the puck more, that has to change. Which I needed a lot more words to say here: 

[What's really wrong with the Leafs?Not what's getting the buzz, that's for sure.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/PPP-Goalie-Logo_RGB-5c1cac6a-a06d-4a9f-bf14-b610abfa829f.png)PPP LeafsCathy Squires![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1664526937033-fe2c11f1be25-6d1422b5-2f52-4a93-8551-903d2162cca7.jpg)](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/whats-really-wrong-with-the-leafs/)