Leafs Get Back Into Series With Gutsy Win

With their backs up against the wall facing a must win situation, the Maple Leafs put forth their best effort of the playoffs in the most important game of the year thus far. Several players who had been struggling in the playoffs came through with huge performances to help get the Leafs back into contention in their Eastern Conference Semi Final matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers. With one big game out of the way with a successful outcome in the bag, the Leafs face another game of equal importance tomorrow as they will look to tie the series at two wins each.

Alex Mogilny looked as dangerous as he has looked in this year’s playoffs. Mogilny was playing very physically and was creating some excellent scoring chances. He eventually got the Leafs on the board first with a beautiful breakaway goal midway through the second period. Darcy Tucker and Alexei Ponikarovsky also netted their first goals of the postseason while contributing to the Leafs physical attack of the Flyers.

The Maple Leafs did several things much better last night which eventually helped them come out on top by a score of 4-1. They were able to physically outwork the Flyers in the corners and win battles for loose pucks which helped to get successful forechecking started. Players who typically do not play a physical game were doing so last night inspiring all of their teammates to play hard. Alex Mogilny and Aki Berg were among the most noticeable non-physical players throwing their weight around along with the usual cast of gritty characters including Darcy Tucker, Gary Roberts, Tie Domi and Wade Belak who was inserted into the lineup for last night’s game.

The Leafs also made a conscious effort to go to the front of the net and cause problems infront of Flyer netminder, Robert Esche. The Leafs were rewarded with two goals from going to the net as Alexei Ponikarovsky and Chad Kilger were able to tip point shots past Robert Esche.

With the Leafs home record in the playoffs now at four wins and one loss, they have shown they are taking advantage of home ice. The Leafs must play as determined as they did last night in order to tie the series up in game four. A loss to go down 3-1 would quite likely be a crippling blow so expect to see another strong effort from the Leafs.