What an entertaining hockey game. After two periods, the Maple Leafs trailed Buffalo 5-2, a team we never play well against. The third period, however, proved to be one of the most exciting of the season. We managed to score three unanswered goals including a Gary Roberts tip of an Alexander Mogilny shot with 37.2 seconds remaining in regulation to tie it. Tomas Kaberle scored with 1:15 remaining in overtime to cap the stirring comeback.
When we were down 5-2, I wrote this recap in my head. What I had to say wasn't kind. We desperately needed the two points to keep pace with the rest of the conference. The Leafs will play four division leaders in their next four games: Boston, Philadelphia, Colorado and Tampa Bay. Points are getting harder and harder to come by. With this dramatic come from behind victory, we're right back in the thick of things. We're only a point behind the Bruins for the division lead and we control our own destiny with a game against Boston tonight. What a game.
I know fellow stat-a-holics will want to know about the two milestones reached last night. Mogilny recorded his 1,000th NHL point when he assisted on the tying goal. Roberts picked up his 800th career point with an assist on Mats Sundin's first goal.
Following the game, I received this piece of correspondence "Did you change the channel when Buffalo went up 5-2? Or did you see the comeback and win in overtime? Marc" I absolutely stuck it out and witnessed the entire comeback victory from the comforts of my living room chair. Giving up when it was 5-2 heading into the third would have been easy, but I had a feeling. I felt if we could score early enough in the third, we could potentially salvage a point. So yes, I saw the comeback and win in overtime...smart ass.
Current Record Last Three GamesSeason Leaders39-21-9-3
90 points
2nd in Division6-5 Win vs. Buffalo
4-3 Loss vs. Montreal
3-2 Loss vs. PittsburghM. Sundin - 69
B. McCabe - 48
O. Nolan - 44
