KEY RUN Leading 76-71 with 3:43 remaining in the third, Los Angeles ended the quarter with 12 straight points to lead 88-71 after three … The Clippers led by double figures the entire fourth quarter.
KEY STAT The Clippers’ bench scored 44 points, compared to 18 for Toronto’s reserves … Los Angeles’ second unit combined for 23 points in the second quarter as the Clippers outscored Toronto 37-14 in the period.
RAPTORS NOTES: • With the loss, Toronto falls to 16-8 this season and 9-3 at home … The Raptors have now dropped four of their last five games (Dec. 3-11) … Toronto continues a three-game homestand (Dec. 11-16) Saturday night against the Nets. • The Raptors have lost three in a row at home for the first time since Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2015. • Toronto shot .352 (31-for-88) from the field and has shot below 40 per cent from the floor in three of the last five games (Dec. 3-11). • Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 24 points (9-20 FG, 1-4 3PT, 5-5 FT) in 35 minutes … Siakam has scored 20+ points in three of the last four games (Dec. 5-11); averaging 21.5 points during this span. • Norman Powell scored 22 points (7-11 FG, 2-5 3PT, 6-6 FT) in 34 minutes … Powell scored 20+ points for the fifth time this season; something he did four times in 60 games in 2018-19. • The Raptors had four players score double figures – Siakam (24), Powell (22), OG Anunoby (13) and Terence Davis ll (10) … Davis scored 10 or more for the eighth time. • Marc Gasol grabbed a game-high 11 boards – his fourth game with 10+ rebounds this season. • Fred VanVleet missed his second straight game (Dec. 9-11) with a right knee contusion.
CLIPPERS NOTES: • With the win, Los Angeles improves to 19-7 on the season and 6-6 on the road … The Clippers have won three straight games (Dec. 1-11) and are now 5-1 in the month of December … Los Angeles continues a six-game road trip (Dec. 6-14) Friday night at Minnesota. • The Clippers swept the season-series with Toronto for the second time in the last three seasons. • Los Angeles had a 50-47 advantage on the glass and improved to perfect 14-0 this season when out rebounding its opponent. • The Clippers improved to 8-2 this season with both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in the lineup. • Former Raptor Kawhi Leonard finished with a game-high 23 points, five rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes in his first game back in Toronto. • The Clippers had seven players score in double digits – Leonard (23), Lou Williams (18), Maurice Harkless (14), Paul George (13), Patrick Beverley (11), Patrick Patterson (11) and Montrezl Harrell (10) … Beverley left the game early in the third quarter with a concussion.
On what Andersen brings when he is as strong as he was in tonight’s game:
It just gives our team confidence. We know if we make a mistake he’s going to be there. Obviously, we don’t want to have to rely on him like we did on the breakaways. It’s great that he was up to the challenge for us, of course, those are game-changing saves that you need. I thought, save for those breakaways, that we did a good job of protecting him. Anytime that they were threatening the net, I thought it was happening from the perimeter. We feel pretty strongly that when teams are going to threaten from the perimeter, Freddie is going to handle those quite easily. That’s seemingly the case here of late, so that’s really good for us, but then he made game-changing saves when we needed them.
On if the team is doing a better job of generating offence from the middle of the ice:
Yeah, I think so. This is a game we’re going to have to watch back on video and really look a little closer at everything that happened. A lot of stuff happened pretty quickly out there. That’s the fastest game that I’ve been a part of in the League in terms of the speed and the competitiveness overall in the game, start to finish. So, it’s going to take us a little time to really process everything that happened, but I felt when we got there we were able to make good on the chances and that’s a good sign.
On what led to the breakaways against:
Well, I thought the breakaways, the ones that I’m thinking, come off of turnovers and off of entries where we force the play a little bit to the middle of the ice and then it’s a turnover and a quick transition. That’s part of their strategy today is to just catch us in those transition situations and get us going or get themselves going quickly the other way. We fed into that a little bit and, obviously, don’t like that. But we survive it and get through it and these are very teachable moments for our us so that’s very positive. What I really liked about our team was just how we competed from start to finish through the game. There were mistakes, for sure, but the guys competed really hard today. And then, probably the biggest thing that I’ll take away from it, is just how we composed ourselves late in the third period there enough in the offensive zone to settle the game down, make a play and then virtually end the game with that goal.
On balancing the desire to play Andersen to keep him in a groove with managing his workload:
Yeah, that’s part of it, but the schedule has been favourable for us here in that regard. We’ll look tomorrow just for our whole team – we’re going to give our whole team a day away from the rink tomorrow and regroup after this effort here today knowing that we’ve got two tough games remaining on the trip and we’re getting to that point now where the trip starts to be a bit of a grind on you. So, we’re going to take a day away from the rink tomorrow and use it as a chance to regroup and we’ll make our decision with what we’re going to do for the goaltending.
FREDERIK ANDERSEN (38 SAVES)
On successfully facing numerous breakaways tonight:
Just tried to read off of what they were showing and react.
On if it was a night where he was just seeing the puck well:
Yeah, I think especially on a couple tips in the second. I’ve seen them do that a lot when the Sedins were here, so I don’t know if they’re trying to do that because of them still but definitely had seen that before up here. I was just trying to follow the puck and react, make sure I was in the best position as possible when they did shoot it from up top and remain square on those shots.
JUSTIN HOLL (2 ASSISTS)
On his assist that led to the game’s first goal:
It was a really nice play by [Dermott] to get it started, he was able to carry the puck in with possession and found [Kerfoot] in the corner who found me up top. I was just trying to get a shot through, and the skill players got the goal done. It was good.
On if they tire of seeing Andersen’s performances:
It’s not old, we love to see it, but at the same time we don’t want to give up five breakaways in the third period or whatever we did. That’s kind of embarrassing for us. It’s something we need to clean up but it’s obviously comforting to have him back there.
On what led to Vancouver’s breakaway opportunities:
I’d have to watch them again; I can’t really recall exactly what happened on them. It’s not great.
AUSTON MATTHEWS (1 GOAL)
On the atmosphere in Vancouver tonight and the play of Frederik Andersen:
It was great, atmosphere was great. Obviously, Freddie make some unbelievable saves. We gave up way too many breakaways but, like you said, scoring that first goal gave us a little bit of momentum especially at the end of the period, which gave us momentum heading into the rest of the game.
More on Frederik Andersen:
He’s been great for us. Ideally, we probably don’t want to see him make five breakaway saves in one game but that’s just a credit to him. He was just dialed in, huge saves tonight for us to keep that lead for us and then a couple big goals by Johnny [Tavares].
On Justin Holl’s play:
He’s been great. I think his role has been expanded and he has a little bit more freedom to utilize his skillset. He’s a guy that can obviously skate really well for his size, he’s got a good shot, he sees the ice really well. For how big he is, he can jump into the play and catch other teams on their heels. He’s been really good for us and obviously been a pretty big key on that back end.
MORGAN RIELLY (23:22 TOI)
On what stood out in tonight’s win:
I thought we really competed. I think if you look back at the game there was a lot of speed and I think there were little things that we did in terms of our work ethic that we can be proud of and we want to carry that over.
On if the team is getting more comfortable in their own end:
Yeah, I think so. I think that’s to be expected. When you get a new coach and try to implement a new system, it takes time. Whether that’s D-zone, O-zone, power play, or penalty kill. It takes time to get used to it and obviously the D-zone is a crucial part of the game and it’s starting to come a little bit but, like anything, you’ve just got to stick with it, keep working, pay attention during meetings and making sure the group is grasping it and I think we’re getting there.
JOHN TAVARES (2 GOALS, 1 ASSIST)
On what the team has done well with two wins in a row:
I think at times tonight, especially in the third, we’re trying obviously to be aggressive and be on our toes, but we’ve just got to be a little smarter making some plays to the middle. They’ve got some skilled, quick forwards that were able to get in behind us. Freddie [Andersen] made some big saves and then I think we’re getting more and more comfortable in our own zone just defending when teams seem to gain some momentum. I think we’re still getting a little comfortable once we do get the puck just getting to our outs and exiting. Once that gets a little bit cleaner, I think we’ll only continue to get better from here. Just doing a good job of digging in and defending well when we have to and we’re building confidence in our game and getting a better feel for the way we need to play.
On playing with Matthews after a penalty kill:
Well, I think every shift you try to make an impact but when you’re out there with a guy like [Matthews], you know how dynamic and how dangerous he is. We want to go out there and be productive for the team and make plays when they’re there and obviously, when you get it, you know he’s good at finding open ice and so good at getting his shot off, so just trying to be aware of where he is.
Auston Matthews opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs at 1:45 of the second period. Matthews has goals (3) in two consecutive games. He has 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) in 12 games against Western Conference opposition and six points (5 goals, 1 assist) in six games against Pacific Division teams. Matthews has seven points (4-3-7) in seven career games against the Canucks.
John Tavares registered the primary assist on Matthews’ second period goal and later scored the second Toronto goal of the game at 19:40 of the second period before notching the third Maple Leafs goal of the night at 14:58 of the third. Tonight’s game is Tavares’ second multi-goal and eighth multi-point performance of the season in 25 games played. His two goals tonight mark his 50th career multi-goal game. In 15 career games against the Canucks, Tavares has 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists).
Zach Hyman scored the fourth Toronto goal of the game into an empty net at 18:16 of the third period. Hyman has goals (4) in three consecutive games. He has scored five goals in 10 games on the road this season. All six of his goals have come against Western Conference opponents.
Justin Holl collected the secondary assist on Matthews’ second period goal and later registered the primary assist on Tavares’ third period goal. Tonight’s game establishes new single-game career-highs for Holl in assists and points with first career multi-assist and multi-point game. He has registered seven (1-6-7) of his 10 points this season on the road.
Cody Ceci recorded the primary assist on Tavares’ second period goal. Ceci has two assists over his last three games. His assist in tonight’s game is his first assist recorded on the road this season.
Mitch Marner had the secondary assist on Tavares’ second period goal and later had the secondary assist on Tavares’ third period goal. Marner has assists (4) in two consecutive games. Tonight’s game is his fifth multi-assist and sixth multi-point performance of the season in 21 games played. He has nine points (3-6-9) in eight games on the road this season. In eight games against Western Conference opposition, Marner has registered 10 points (1-9-10).
Frederik Andersen stopped 38 shots to earn his 15th win of the season.
The Maple Leafs went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and 0-for-2 on the power play tonight.
Toronto won 62 percent (16 won, 10 lost) of their defensive zone faceoffs.
Kasperi Kapanen and Alex Kerfoot were the lone Toronto skaters to not start a 5-on-5 shift in the offensive zone.
Alex Kerfoot won 71 percent (5 won, 2 lost) of his defensive zone faceoffs.
Morgan Rielly was on the ice for a team-high 22 Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5 tonight. Rielly finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 48.9 percent (22 for, 23 against).
John Tavares was 12-for-19 (63%) in the faceoff circle when matched up with Vancouver centre Bo Horvat.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Thursday, December 12, 9:00 p.m. at Calgary Flames (TSN4, TSN 1050)
Saturday, December 14, 7:00 p.m. at Edmonton Oilers (Sportsnet, FAN 590)
Tuesday, December 17, 7:00 p.m. vs. Buffalo Sabres (TSN4, TSN 1050)
Friday, December 20, 7:00 p.m. at New York Rangers (Sportsnet Ontario, FAN 590)
Saturday, December 21, 7:00 p.m. vs. Detroit Red Wings (Sportsnet, FAN 590)
JAYDEN NELSON NAMED 2019 CANADIAN YOUTH INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Canada Soccer announced today that Toronto FC II forward Jayden Nelson has been named 2019 Canadian Youth International Player of the Year, becoming the first Toronto FC player to win the award.
Nelson, 17, represented the Canadian National Team at the Concacaf Men’s U-17 Championship, where he scored five goals (including a hat-trick against Guatemala) in six appearances as Canada qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time since 2013. At the U-17 World Cup in Brazil, Nelson appeared in all three of Canada’s games and was selected Canada’s Player of the Match vs. New Zealand, in the team’s final Group A match.
Nelson appeared in 14 matches for Toronto FC II during the 2019 USL League One regular season. He made his professional debut on April 6, 2019, when he came off the bench against Orlando City B.
— Prolific Boston writer will be posthumously honored July 24-27 during Hall of Fame Weekend in Cooperstown —
Nick Cafardo, who informed and entertained New England’s passionate baseball fan base for more than 35 years up to the last day of his life, was elected the 2020 winner of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. His career will be honored with the award that is presented annually to a sportswriter “for meritorious contributions to baseball writing” during the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Induction Weekend July 24-27, 2020 in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Cafardo received 243 votes from the 427 ballots cast by BBWAA members with 10 or more consecutive years’ service in becoming the 71st winner of the award since its inception in 1962 and named for the first recipient. Spink was a driving force of the Sporting News, known during his lifetime as the “Baseball Bible.”
Jim Reeves, an award-winning columnist and baseball writer in a 40-year career with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, received 108 votes. Patrick Reusse, who has spent the better part of 45 years writing about baseball in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, got 76.
A Weymouth Mass., native and Suffolk University graduate, Cafardo worked at the Brockton Enterprise and the Quincy Patriot-Ledger before joining the Boston Globe as baseball columnist in 1989. Nick inherited the Sunday notes column, founded by 2004 Spink Award recipient Peter Gammons in the early 1970s, and did not miss a single week over the final 15 years of his career. Cafardo made virtually every Red Sox trip and covered more than 30 World Series, All-Star Games and Winter Meetings.
Cafardo covered Red Sox World Series victories in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018. When the Red Sox and Dodgers played 18 innings in Game 3 of the 2018 Series at Dodger Stadium, Nick turned to colleagues with the score tied at the start of the 18th and remarked, “Isn’t this great?” Then he made deadline (Eovaldi Heroic in Defeat) in a game that ended at 3:30 a.m. Boston time. Cafardo wrote four baseball books and won the Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year Award in 2014 and the Boston Baseball Writers’ Dave O’Hara Award in 2017.
Cafardo’s final baseball article, a column about World Series MVP Steve Pearce, appeared in the Globe Feb. 21, 2019. Cafardo was scheduled to be off that day but went to the ballpark anyway and died outside the Red Sox’ spring training clubhouse. He was 62. He is the first posthumous winner of the award since his Boston Globe colleague, Larry Whiteside, in 2008.
Previous Spink Award Recipients
2019 Jayson Stark; 2018 Sheldon Ocker; 2017 Claire Smith; 2016 Dan Shaughnessy; 2015 Tom Gage; 2014 Roger Angell; 2013 Paul Hagen; 2012 Bob Elliott; 2011 Bill Conlin; 2010 Bill Madden; 2009 Nick Peters; 2008 Larry Whiteside; 2006 Rick Hummel; 2005 Tracy Ringolsby; 2004 Peter Gammons; 2003 Murray Chass; 2002 Hal McCoy; 2001 Joe Falls; 2000 Ross Newhan; 1999 Hal Lebovitz; 1998 Bob Stevens; 1997 Sam Lacy; 1996 Charley Feeney; 1995 Joseph Durso; 1993 Wendell Smith; 1992 Leonard Koppett, Bus Saidt; 1991 Ritter Collett; 1990 Phil Collier; 1989 Jerome Holtzman; 1988 Bob Hunter, Ray Kelly; 1987 Jim Murray; 1986 Jack Lang; 1985 Earl Lawson; 1984 Joe McGuff; 1983 Ken Smith; 1982 Si Burick; 1981 Bob Addie, Allen Lewis; 1980 Joe Reichler, Milton Richman; 1979 Bob Broeg, Tommy Holmes; 1978 Tim Murnane, Dick Young; 1977 Gordon Cobbledick, Edgar Munzel; 1976 Harold Kaese, Red Smith; 1975 Tom Meany, Shirley Povich; 1974 John Carmichael, James Isaminger; 1973 Warren Brown, John Drebinger, John F. Kieran; 1972 Dan Daniel, Fred Lieb, J. Roy Stockton; 1971 Frank Graham; 1970 Heywood C. Broun; 1969 Sid Mercer; 1968 H.G. Salsinger; 1967 Damon Runyon; 1966 Grantland Rice; 1965 Charles Dryden; 1964 Hugh Fullerton; 1963 Ring Lardner; 1962 J.G. Taylor Spink.
Kawhi Leonard returns to Toronto on Wednesday as a hero and an opponent. It’s his first visit since the three-time All-Star took his talents to L.A., agreeing to sign with the Clippers during free agency this past summer – just three long, massively scrutinized weeks after he led the Raptors to their first NBA title…
ROGERS ARENA (VANCOUVER, BC) ▪ TV: SPORTSNET ONTARIO ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus VANCOUVER
ALL-TIME RECORD:
59-62-22-3 (146 Games)
ALL-TIME ON THE ROAD:
25-37-11-2 (75 Games)
2018-19:
1-0-1
LAST FIVE:
2-1-2
LAST 10:
6-2-2
MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus VANCOUVER
GAMES PLAYED:
Jake Muzzin (31), Jason Spezza (26), Tyson Barrie (22)
GOALS:
John Tavares (7), Jason Spezza (6), Tyson Barrie (4)
ASSISTS:
Tyson Barrie (11), Jason Spezza (10), John Tavares (9)
POINTS:
John Tavares (16), Jason Spezza (16), Tyson Barrie (15)
PENALTY MINUTES:
Jake Muzzin (24), Morgan Rielly (9), Jason Spezza (6)
MAPLE LEAFS – CANUCKS TEAM STATS
TORONTO
VANCOUVER
GOALS FOR (Rank):
99 (8th)
100 (7th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
101 (t-26th)
90 (t-13th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
18/86 [20.9%] (10th)
31/114 [27.2%] (4th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
75/98 [76.5%] (25th)
83/102 [81.4%] (15th)
SHOTS (Rank):
1044 (4th)
961 (15th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
1588 (2nd)
1333 (16th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
53.2% (5th)
50.8% (t-12th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.4% (2nd)
52.2% (3rd)
MAPLE LEAFS – CANUCKS NOTES
FIRST MATCHUP BETWEEN CLUBS:
October 11, 1970 (Vancouver 5, Toronto 3)
ALL-TIME RECORD:
59-62-22-3 (146 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD AT HOME:
34-25-11-1 (71 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD ON THE ROAD:
25-37-11-2 (75 Games)
LAST WIN VS. OPPONENT AT HOME:
February 13, 2016 (Toronto 5, Vancouver 2)
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. CANUCKS
Travis Dermott
First NHL game (Jan. 6, 2018 vs. VAN) First NHL point (Assist) (Jan. 6, 2018 vs. VAN)
Michael Hutchinson
First win as a Maple Leaf (Jan. 5, 2019 vs. VAN) First shutout as a Maple Leaf (Jan. 5, 2019 vs. VAN)
Mitch Marner
200th NHL game (Jan. 5, 2019 vs. VAN)
Jake Muzzin
First NHL game (Oct. 9, 2010 (LAK) at VAN) First NHL point (Assist) (Oct. 15, 2010 (LAK) at VAN)
Trevor Moore
First NHL goal (Jan. 5, 2019 vs. VAN)
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
18 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
18 (Rielly)
POINTS
33 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS
10 (Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
2 (Engvall, Kapanen)
PIMs
22 (Muzzin)
SHOTS
116 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
58.0% (Matthews)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
58.6% (Petan)
BLOCKED SHOTS
57 (Ceci)
TAKEAWAYS
29 (Marner)
HITS
66 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
24:42 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:04 (Marner)
SH TOI PER GAME
3:19 (Ceci)
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Is 7-3-0 on the road this season with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. – Has made 15 career appearances against Vancouver and is 8-2-5 with a 1.55 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage.- Tied for third in the NHL in wins (14).- Third in the NHL in saves (683) and even-strength saves (563).- Tied for third in the NHL in shootout saves (11).
Tyson Barrie
– Tied for ninth among NHL defencemen in shots on goal (81). – Has been on the ice for the third-most shot attempts for (606) among NHL skaters. – Has an on-ice shot attempt differential of plus-112, which ranks 11th among NHL defencemen.- Leads all Maple Leafs skaters and is tied for 25th among NHLers in slap shots taken (23).
Cody Ceci
– Sixth among NHL skaters in shorthanded time on ice (102:32).- Has started 194 shifts in the defensive zone, which is tied for the seventh-most defensive zone starts among all NHL skaters.
Justin Holl
– Has an unblocked shot attempt percentage of 54.8 percent at 5-on-5, which leads all Maple Leafs defencemen.
Michael Hutchinson
– Tied for sixth among NHL goaltenders who have appeared in fewer than 10 games in saves (197).
Zach Hyman
– Had his sixth career multi-goal game on December 7 at St. Louis.- Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 54.1 percent, which ranks eighth among Toronto skaters who have played 10 games. – Averaging 17:44 per game in ice time through 11 games since returning from injury, which ranks fifth among Toronto forwards.
Kasperi Kapanen
– Leads the Maple Leafs in points on the road with 14 (6 goals, 8 assists) in 16 road games this season.- Ranks sixth among Toronto skaters in even-strength points (6-7-13).
Alex Kerfoot
– Hails from Vancouver and has a goal and an assist in three career games on the road against the Canucks.
Mitch Marner
– Ranks second among NHLers who have appeared in 20 or fewer games in assists (16).- Sixth in the NHL in takeaways (29).- Ranks seventh among NHL forwards in shifts per game (25.8).- Has played the most shorthanded ice time (57:17) among NHL forwards who have appeared in 20 or fewer games.
Auston Matthews
– Tied for sixth among NHL skaters in goals (18).- Tied for fourth among NHL skaters in even-strength goals (13).- Tied for 12th among NHL skaters in points (18-15-33).- Ranks fifth in the NHL with 116 shots on goal.- Has been on the ice for a team-high 45 of the Maple Leafs’ 99 goals.
Ilya Mikheyev
– Tied for fourth among NHL skaters in shorthanded shots on goal (10).- Second among NHL rookies in shots on goal (73).- Leads NHL rookies and is third on the Maple Leafs in even-strength points (4-13-17).- Leads NHL rookies and the Maple Leafs in even-strength assists (13).
Jake Muzzin
– Leads Maple Leafs defencemen in takeaways (16).- Tied for 20th among NHL defencemen in even-strength assists (9).- One of seven NHL defencemen and 19 NHL skaters to have registered at least 60 hits (66) and at least 60 shots on goal (61).
William Nylander
– Has notched eight primary assists, which is tied for third among Toronto skaters. – Has registered at least one point in 19 of Toronto’s 31 games. – Has nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 11 games against Western Conference opponents.
Morgan Rielly
– Tied for 11th among NHL defencemen in points (3-18-21).- Tied for 10th among NHL defencemen in even-strength points (3-12-15).- Tied for fourth among NHL defencemen in even-strength assists (12).- Ranks 10th among NHL skaters in TOI per game (24:42).- Tied for eighth among NHL skaters in shifts per game (28.6).- Has 10 assists in 16 road games this season.
Jason Spezza
– Averaging 3.2 points per 60 minutes of ice time this season, which ranks second among Toronto skaters.
John Tavares
– Has 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) in 14 career games against Vancouver.- Averaging 2.71 shots on goal per game, which ranks third among Toronto skaters.- Leads the Maple Leafs in faceoff wins (219). Ranks second among NHLers who have played less than 25 games in faceoff wins.- Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 55.4 percent when the Maple Leafs are leading in games.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
Zach Hyman
Has goals (3) in two consecutive games.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Frederik Andersen
Two wins from 200 career NHL wins.
RECENT MILESTONES
Pontus Aberg
Maple Leaf debut (December 7 at St. Louis)First point as a Maple Leaf (December 7 at St. Louis)
Morgan Rielly
500th NHL game (December 4 vs. Colorado)
INJURY REPORT
Andreas Johnsson (Leg)
On injured reserve.
Trevor Moore (Shoulder)
On injured reserve.
Man Games Lost: 64
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
December 6
– Placed forward Andreas Johnsson on the LTIR. – Recalled forwards Pontus Aberg and Nic Petan, as well as defenceman Martin Marincin from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
PHILADELPHIA — It has been over a year since the Raptors lost three games in a row, but they’re back in that unfamiliar territory today after a poor shooting night in Philly. Normally the words poor shooting night and Philly conjure up images of Joel Embiid but not in this case. In this case it […]
The Maple Leafs continue their four-game trip in Vancouver on Tuesday, having compiled a record of 5-3 in Sheldon Keefe’s first eight games as coach. A glance at some of the Leafs things that come to mind in pondering the first few weeks of the Keefe era: 1. An improved penalty kill The Leafs have […]
Lowry to heckler in native Philly: ‘Come see me’ PHILADELPHIA — Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry got into it with a fan on his way to the locker room following the Philadelphia 76ers‘ 110-104 victory over the Raptors at Wells Fargo Center Sunday night. “I don’t know him,” said Lowry, who finished with 26 points, […]
San Antonio: R. Olsen (3) PP (M. Reinke, M. Vecchione) Goaltender: A. Wilcox (15/18)
Toronto: K. Rubins (1) (B. Harpur), R. Clune (1) (H. Elynuik, G. Wilson), J. Bracco (3) (T. Gaudet, B. Harpur), A. Brooks (6) EN (K. Rubins, M. Marchment) Goaltender: J. Woll (40/41)
ON THE SCORESHEET
Kristians Rubins opened the scoring at 1:23 of the first period and later added the primary assist on Brooks’ empty net goal. This was his first career AHL goal. This was his second multi-point game of the season.
Rich Clune scored Toronto’s second goal and the game winner at 5:35 of the first period. This was his first goal of the season through six games.
Jeremy Bracco scored Toronto’s third goal at 16:14 of the third period. Bracco has six points (1 goal, 5 assists) in his last five games.
Adam Brooks scored an empty net goal at 18:33 of the third period. Brooks has four goals in his last four games. He has 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) through 15 games this season.
Ben Harpur picked up the lone assist on Rubins’ first period goal and the secondary assist on Bracco’s third period goal. These assists were his 50th and 51st career AHL assist.
Hudson Elynuik recorded the primary assist on Clune’s first period goal. Elynuik has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) through 21 games this season.
Garrett Wilson registered the secondary assist on Clune’s first period goal. Wilson has eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) through 21 games this season.
Tyler Gaudet had the primary assist on Bracco’s third period goal.Gaudet has 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) through 22 games.
Mason Marchment recorded the secondary assist on Brooks’ empty net goal in the third period. This was his first point of the season.
Joseph Woll stopped 40 of 41 shots he faced. Woll is now 5-3-1-1 on the season with a 0.903 Save Percentage and a 3.07 Goals Against Average. Woll also stopped Jordan Nolan on a penalty shot at 13:28 of the first period.
OF NOTE…
Goaltenders Kasimir Kaskisuo and Joseph Woll faced 71 shots combined, making 68 saves in back-t0-back wins against San Antonio.
The Marlies are 12-1-0-0 at home this season, losing their only home game at Scotiabank Arena.
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on December 1 that Greg Moore was named head coach of the Toronto Marlies. He will join the Marlies on December 16.
Assistant coaches Rob Davison and A.J. MacLean assumed duties behind the bench for today’s game against San Antonio. Toronto is 7-2-0-0 under Davison and MacLean.
Toronto was 1-for-2 on the penalty kill and was 0-for-3 on the power play.
San Antonio had a 41-19 edge in shots in all situations. Mason Marchment led the Marlies with four shots on goal.
The Marlies are 9-2-0-0 against Central Division opponents and are 2-0-0-0 against the San Antonio Rampage.
REGULAR SEASON LEADERS
Goals: K. Agostino (13)
Assists: J. Bracco (18)
Points: K. Agostino (22)
PPG: E. Korshkov (4)
Shots: K. Agostino (48)
+/-: B. Harpur (+13)
PIMS: G. Wilson (47)
RECORD WHEN…
Toronto is 12-3-1-1 when scoring first.
The Marlies are 7-2-1-1 when leading after the first period and 10-0-0-0 when leading after the second period.
Toronto is 10-3-1-1 when outshot by their opponent.
The Marlies are 5-0-1-0 in Sunday games and are 3-1-0-0 in December.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
Jeremy Bracco has points (1-2-3) in consecutive games.
Hudson Elynuik has assists (2) in consecutive games.
Tyler Gaudet has assists (2) in consecutive games.
MARLIES UPDATES.
Kevin Gravel (illness) did not dress for today’s game against San Antonio.
Egor Korshkov (lower leg laceration)left today’s game against San Antonio in the first period and did not return.
Matt Read (neck strain) did not dress for today’s game against San Antonio. He left Saturday’s game against San Antonio in the first period and did not return.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
December 6: Recalled forward Pontus Aberg from loan by Toronto (NHL).
December 6: Recalled defenceman Martin Marincin from loan by Toronto (NHL).
December 6: Recalled forward Nic Petan from loan by Toronto (NHL).
POSTGAME QUOTES
ASSISTANT COACH A.J. MacLEAN
On Toronto’s performance this weekend against San Antonio: Over the weekend I thought the guys really were gutsy and they found a way to win two games. I thought both of our goalies were absolutely outstanding. For the most part I don’t think we as a team played the best that we could in front of them and that’s something next week that we’ll have to get back to work in getting fixed.
On Joseph Woll: He was excellent today. He was pretty much the whole reason why we won. I thought early on we played well for about eight minutes, we got out to a good lead and then we didn’t really stick to our game plan for long stretches. Thankfully Joe was sharp and he was ready to go.
On Toronto’s pushback after San Antonio scored: I was really happy with the guys. I think they clicked. Everything clicked for them, they snapped back into it and we ended up getting our competitiveness up and I was glad with the way the game ended.
JOSEPH WOLL (40 SAVES)
On his performance: I think I have a lot of confidence playing behind these guys lately. Throughout the game we do a really good job of limiting their high opportunity scoring chances so I think as long as I’m back there trusting my team to score, I know we’re a very opportunistic team so I trust them to put the puck in the net and I just have to focus on myself.
NEXT GAME:
December 11 at Utica – 7:00 p.m. ET December 14 vs Belleville – 4:00 p.m. ET December 15 vs Rockford – 4:00 p.m. ET December 21 at Belleville – 7:00 p.m. ET December 26 vs Belleville – 3:00 p.m. ET (Scotiabank Arena)
The view from left field 