A Leafs Franchise, NHL 10 XBOX 360

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Thanks Breezer. I hate when that happens, but now I'm using the roster update so the league is more update..

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Leafs Stall Pens
6 to 2

Game Synopsis:

The 1st period was a bit of a snore, but the 2nd and 3rd were full of action as the Leafs came out swinging and hitting with Stajan, Schenn, and Primeau all having multi goal nights, lifting the Leafs over Crosby's Pens 6 to 2 and extending thier winning streak to 4.

"We came into this game alittle scared of the Crosby-Malkin duo and thier 4 game winning streak, but in the end they were no match." Quoted Schenn after his 3 point night (2 goals, 1 assist). "Its definately a confidence booster when you have a decisive win against last years Stanley Cup champion."

Gustavsson, in his 2nd NHL start, back stopped 18 of 20 shots as the Leafs powerplay was successful on 3 of 5 opportunities.

"I'm proud of my guys. They played hard, kept Crosby-Malkin to only 1 point each, and put puck in the net repeatively. This is why I coach." Wilson told reporters after the game.

Game Recap:

1st Period

2nd Period
Leafs: Primeau (Kessel, Schenn) 9:31
Pens: Kunitz (Gonchar, Eaton) 13:02 PP
Leafs: Primeau (Beauchemin, Mayers) 16:40

3rd Period
Leafs: Stajan (Kaberle, Komisarek) 2:41
Pens: Crosby (Malkin, Eaton) 3:13 PP
Leafs: Schenn (Grabovski) 8:14 PP
Leafs: Stajan (Blake, Kessel) 11:35 PP
Leafs: Schenn (Beauchemin, Ponikarovsky) 16:42 PP

Fleury 35/41, Johnson 4/4 : Gustavsson 18/20
Pens PP 2/4 : Leafs 3/5
1st Star Schenn, 2nd Star Stajan, 3rd Star Primeau

The Leafs get a day off before flying out to Madison Square Gardens to take on Gaborik and his Rangers (2-3-0). Toskala will man the pipes while White and Van Ryn are healthy scratches.

Leafs are 4-0-0 with 8 pts, are 2nd in the Conference.

Top 5 Leaf Point Leaders:

1. Schenn 3-4-7
2. Beauchemin 1-5-6
3. Stajan 2-4-6
4. Kessel 0-5-5
5. Grabovski 1-3-4

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Toskala To Much For Rangers
3 to 0

Game Synopsis:

Grabovksi (2 goals, 1 assist) and Stempniak (1 goal, 2 assists) shined gloriously in Leafs 5th win in a row, as Toskala back stopped 12 of 12 shots to get his 1st shutout of the year.

"I was a wall, nothing got by me. I know I played well but I got to give credit to my defensive friends, they were key." quoted Toskala. "After my offseason surgeris and a great camp I finally feel like a capable goalie."

A pretty much quiet Burke up to this point had this to say about his clubs 5 game winning streak. "I told everyone we were going to be competitive and tough. 5 wins and atleast 4 fights a game demonstrates how dramatically changed we are. And I can promise you no gaurentee you WE WILL STILL BE HERE AT THE END OF APRIL."

Game Recap:

1st Period
Leafs: Grabovski (Stempniak) 8:20

2nd Period

3rd Period
Leafs: Stempniak (Grabovski, Schenn) 9:32
Leafs: Grabovski (Ponikarovsky, Stempniak) 19:25 EN

Toskala 12/12 : Valiquette 22/24
Tor PP 0/7 : Rangers PP 0/5
1st Star Grabovski, 2nd Star Stempniak, 3rd Star Valiquette

The Leafs get no rest as they take a quick flight home tonight to take on the Avalanche (2-2-1) tomorrow night at the ACC. Toskala will get the nod while Finger and White are healthy scratches.

Injuries: Primeau, shoulder injury (questionable)

Leafs are 5-0-0 with 10 pts, are 3rd in the Conference.
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Top 5 Leaf Point Leaders:

1. Schenn 3-5-8
2. Grabovski 3-4-7
3. Beauchemin 1-5-6
4. Stajan 2-4-6
5. Kessel 0-5-5

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Shoulder Injury Bug Hits Again

From The Locker Room:

Another shoulder injury has snagged the Leafs, but this time a forward is the unlucky recipient.

Wayne Primeau, a 4th line center, took a bad check into the boards during the Rangers game. Listed as not a serious injury, team doctors still believe its prudent that the grinder sit out a few games and let it heal. A target date of Oct 21th return has been reported by CBC sports.

"Wilson always tells us to look up when we have the puck and I usually do. I guess this time I was thinking about somthing else because I never saw Voros. And I paid the price."

Hockey man Don Cherry had this simple remark. "Hey kids, this is why I tell you to always have your head up, its that simple."

In Primeau's absence the Leafs have called up John Mitchell (1 goal and 1 assist in 3 games with the Marlies) to take his place on the 4th line, centering Mayers and Orr.

"Don't get me wrong, I do feel bad for Primeau. But this is my chance to prove myself again. I had a bad camp and didn't make the team, so here is chance number 2."

Primeau has 3 goals in 5 games.

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Avs Trash Leafs in the 3rd Period
Colorado 5 to Leafs 3

Game Synopsis:

A game that looked to be won by the Leafs in the first 2 periods was lost in the 3rd as Colorado went on a scoring frenzy, scoring 4 goals and eventually taking the game.

Team Captian Blake had this to say. "I don't know what happened, we were up 2 to 1 at the end of the 2nd. We were really coming on strong, but then something happened. It was like our defense was standing still. Man did we look sloppy."

Toskala backstopped 14 of 19 shots faced, not particulary good, but Marlies call-up John Mitchell shined in his first game picking up an assist. The Leafs winning streak ends at 5, but hopes of return to grace still flourish.

Game Recap:

1st Period
Leafs: Hagman (Exelby, Van Ryn) 9:11
Leafs: Ponikarovsky (stempniak) 18:44 PP

2nd Period
Avs: Wolski (Koci, Hannen) 19:55 SH

3rd Period
Avs: Svatos (Jones, Duchene) 10:41
Avs: Hejduk (O'Reilly, Salei) 11:42
Leafs: Exelby (Kaberle, Mitchell) 14:14
Avs: Duchene (Hejduk, Wolski) 17:14
Avs: Duchene (Hannen, Anderson) 19:29

Anderson 17/20 : Toskala 14/19
Avs PP 0/4 : Tor PP 1/7
1st Star Duchene, 2nd Star Exelby, 3rd Star Wolski

A 3 day rest for the Leafs before they fly out to the Big Apple and take on the Rangers (2-5-0). Last meeting the Leafs won 3 nothing. Gustavsson (2-0, 1.53 GAA) will start as Finger and Van Ryn are healthy scratches.

Injuries: Primeau, shoulder injury (questionable)

Leafs are 5-1-0 with 10 pts, are 2nd in the Conference.

Top 5 Leaf Point Leaders:

1. Schenn 3-5-8
2. Grabovski 3-4-7
3. Stajan 2-4-6
4. Ponikarovsky 4-2-6

5. Stempniak 2-4-6

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Rangers Effort Not Enough
Leafs 3 vrs Rangers 2

Game Synopsis:

A back and forth folly in the first 39 minutes of the game ended with a late goal in the 2nd by Mayers (His 1st of the season) to secure the Leafs 6th win of the season.

"Sometimes it takes alittle time to get that first goal, I hope its not my last." quoted Mayers.

Another Leaf, Kessel, also secured his first goal of the season with a tally in the 1st period to tie up the game before intermission.

"Like my fellow player Mayers, I hope its not my last."

Gustavsson managed to stop 20 of 22 shots faced as Mitchell picked up another assist in his 2nd game.

Game Recap:

1st Period
Rangers: Lisin (Redden, Avery) 4:47
Leafs: Kessel 14:29 PP

2nd Period
Leafs: Grabovski (Ponikarovsky, Schenn) 1:25 PP
Rangers: Higgins 6:49 PP
Leafs: Mayers (Stempniak, Mitchell) 19:04

3rd Period

Gustavsson 18/20 : Lundqvist 34/37
Tor PP 2/10 : Rangers PP 1/1
1st Star Mayers, 2nd Star Kessel, 3rd Star Grabovski

The Leafs take a long 6 day break before heading off on a 5 game road tour starting with a game against Vancouver (7-2-0) at GM Place. Gustavsson (3-0, 1.70 GAA) will get the nod as White and Van Ryn are healthy scratches

Leafs are 6-1-0 with 12 pts, are 3rd in the Conference.

Top 5 Leaf Point Leaders:

1. Schenn 3-6-9
2. Grabovski 4-4-8
3. Stempniak 2-5-7
4. Ponikarovsky 4-3-7

5. Stajan 2-4-6

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A Player Back, a Player Gone

From The Locker Room:

Having missed 2 games with a shoulder injury, grinder Primeau returns to the line up against the Canucks.

"When the doctors finally cleared me and said I could play this Saturday, I was euphoric."

But he will not be on the 4th line.

Coach Wilson, not happy with a certain player, has decided to make some minor line changes. Primeau will be promoted to the 3rd line with Hagman and Wallin while call-up Mitchell will keep his post on the 4th line. Kulemin, a ghost so far this season, has been demoted and called down to the Marlies.

"If players want ice time, then they better perform. Zero points in 7 games is not going to cut it." Wilson told reporters after he annouced the move.

A distraught kulemin had this to say. "This sucks, but I guess Wilson has to do whats best for the team. I will just have to work hard for the Marlies and hope for the best."

[Bure10Beezer34]

Wow, Scheen is leading you in points, that's impressive. But I'm sure you'd much rather see some of your forwards step up