Ugly loss for Leafs to Begin Preseason

The Leafs opened up there preseason last night (Sept.21st) against the Ottawa Senators. There has a buzz running through Toronto during the past few weeks, Leafs fans have a renewed hope that their team could possibly finally have a playoff calibre team after a long five years of no playoff hockey.

This is not what the Leafs fans were expecting, although many regulars were out of the line up including Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, and Luke Schenn the Leafs stub bled out of the gate in the first period, surrendering 17 shots and could only muster 5 them selves. Jonas Gustavsson looked good in net even while giving up two goals, he made 15 saves by the end up of the first. The first period goal scorers for Ottawa were Jesse Winchester and Nick Foligno.

In the second period the Leafs came out flying with much more energy, with one big hit after another. The fatigue of the Senators began to show when they began to take penalty after penalty, the Leafs had two 5 on 3 power play opportunities that lasted longer than a minute and a half, yet could not get one past Ottawas top Goalie Prospect Robin Lehner, who plays his Junior hockey for the Sue St.Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.

The Leafs made a Goalie Change half way through the the second, bringing in 23 year old goal tending prospect Jussi Rynnas. He began his first pro game with a huge save, but things wouldn't stay so positive, as his growing pains as an NHL began with the Senators Corey Locke Snapped one home on Rynnas with 4 minutes remaining in the second to make it 3-0 for Ottawa.

The Rough stuff starting in the 3rd, the frustration in the Leafs was evident. One bright spot for the Leafs was the play of hard hitting new comer Mike Brown, he played hard in both ends of the ice and made the Ottawa players pay the price in the corners and also had a great fight against the Senators Tim Spencer. The Senators went on to score two, some what weak goals on Jussi Rynnas to make it 5-0, and the game finished off with a fight between the Leafs Christian Hanson and the Senators much smaller Brian Lee, Hanson won the fight by a long shot, but it wouldn't change the fact that the Ottawa Senators had pummeled the Leafs on the Scoreboard where it counts.

All in all, before all Leafs fans jump off the bandwagon, we all need to take a step back and realize it was their very first preseason game. The team has many new comers that have not had a chance to play together, witch in time when they begin to learn each others habits will help with the power play and play in their own end will go a long way for helping the Leafs get into a winning pattern.

The Leafs Continue their five preseason games in five days with another date with the Ottawa Senetors tonight.(Sept.22nd)

Side Note: Once again Leafs top prospect Nazem Kadri was pushed around and was very ineffective in his own end. You have to think Coach Ron Wilson and GM Brian Burkes Patience is running thin, he may just end up playing some time or even a whole season down in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.

Till Next time, GO LEAFS GO!

Here are the highlights if you missed the game...