Game 12: When a loss feels like a win

Losing doesn't usually feel so inspiring.

But when the shootout in Washington ended, when the Leafs wobbled home on the wrong side of a 5-4 final score, I was reminded of a quote from American poet Edwin Markham: "Defeat may serve as well as victory to shake the soul and let the glory out."

Yes, the Leafs lost last night. No, it wasn't a complete loss.

Before venturing into the inhospitable Verizon Center, the visitors could have packed all kinds of excuses into their carry-on luggage.

Earlier in the day, they learned captain Dion Phaneuf would miss four to six weeks after suffering a deep leg laceration. They were playing back-to-back games. And they were about to face-off against the Capitals, an early Cup favourite and team that's as explosive as a box of firecrackers in the sun.

The odds were not good.

But at 14:29 of the first, Toronto surprised everybody and scored first.

After Clarke MacArthur and Mikhail Grabovski scavenged for control along the boards, after Carl Gunnarson pinched smartly, Nikolai Kulemin grabbed the puck, waited, deked a sprawling defender, spun around and flipped it past goaltender Michal Neuvirth.

It was Kulemin's second goal in as many games.

The Caps didn't get to the front porch very often in the first, thanks in part to solid defensive plays by Luke Schenn, Brett Lebda and Francois Beauchemin. And when they did, Jonas Gustavsson closed the door.

Then in the second, oh Lord, someone ignited the firecrackers.

Within 5 minutes and 23 seconds, the Caps scored three unanswered goals, the first on the power play. Suddenly, the game conjured memories of blowouts past. Suddenly, it looked like an ugly runaway in the making.

Cue the third period inspiration.

At 4:14, Mike Brown deflected a Tomas Kaberle shot for his first goal of the season.

At 5:02, Kris Versteeg was sent in alone and went five-hole.

At 7:17, Tyler Bozak jumped on a rebound and wristed the puck into the open side.

In three minutes and three seconds, the Leafs had taken an improbable lead. Suddenly, the game conjured memories of comebacks past. Suddenly, it looked like a magical victory in the making.

Alas, it was not to be.

After Colton Orr's game-winning tally against Florida, in which the refs missed his goaltender interference, I vowed not to complain about officiating until at least Christmas. So I won't say the Leafs received some marginal calls last night, including one that resulted in a power play goal to catapult the game into overtime.

What I will say is this: The Leafs played hard and they did not give up. They earned a point that may prove more valuable than it now seems if this team finds itself in a dogfight for a playoff spot down the road.

It was a gutsy team effort, one that felt more like a catharsis than a defeat.

From the Monster diving across the crease to make an unbelievable stick save late in the second period to Tim Brent courageously throwing his body in front of an Ovechkin slapshot in overtime, the Leafs exhibited grit and determination in pursuit of victory.

"Energy personified!" thundered TSN's always calm Pierre McGuire, after the third period outburst. (I'm not sure that even makes sense but I was inclined to agree.)

Going into a shootout against Washington is like going into a decorating contest against Martha Stewart: There is no shame in losing. This is especially true when you get to that shootout after overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the third, on the road, against a team that can run-and-gun with the best of 'em.

So despite extending their winless streak, the Leafs should feel good about the way they have played over the past 48 hours. If they can maintain this intensity, if they can get some scoring from all four lines and some acrobatic heroics between the pipes, it's only a matter of time until the winning returns.

***

LEAFS TICKET CONTEST: Whoops. I forgot to mention this yesterday. The Star is running a… haiku contest? Yup, that's what the Urgent Memo says. I know, right? It sounds a bit weird but whatever.

Here's the important part: If you author the winning haiku, you win tickets to an upcoming Leafs game at the ACC. Your 5/7/5 syllabic creation needs to focus on "Phaneuf's injury and the Leafs' current losing streak."

Here, I just thought of one: "Squawk, captain is cut / Blood in the sock of our dreams / Get well Rooster Hair!"

Follow this link for more details and to post your entry.

PHOTO: JOE GIZA/REUTERS

Comments

[We BeLeaf]

A hard earned point against an offensive powerhouse, but defensively weak team. I figured that it would be a high scoring game on both sides, but pleasantly surprised that they came back to salvage a point out of it. The Monster made a highlight reel save and it looks like his confidence is quickly growing the more time he gets. I am still disappointed in Beauchemin's play in his own end, but I hope he will get better. Overall, I think that the Leafs have proven that they will compete no matter what. It's just a matter of time where having the will to win will be surpassed by finding a way to win.

Cheers!

[Pyramid Power]

Somehow the point still feels a little hollow and empty to me after coming so close to winning it.
I was reminded of a quote by noted former Leafs poet laureate Wade Belak, "Whining about the referees is for hockey mummies."
Yes, Vinay we can't complain about the referees after Walkom and his partner gave us two points against Miami when Orr made like James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers on their goalie.
Love McGuire. Never understand why he is so hated. Brings passion and knowledge to the game, and is a former coach and GM in the league. He is a 'monster' announcer!
Komisarek played a fairly good game. That Gus save on Backstrom sliding across with his stick was "unbelievable".
Good line by We BeLeaf above, "It's just a matter of time where having the will to win will be surpassed by finding a way to win." Nice bro'.
Looking forward to seeing this team defeat the Sabres on Saturday night after Buffalo demolishes the Canadiens at home on Friday night.
Hope we use this time off to work on our PK, did not look good last night or the game before against the Hens. Need to tighten things up, and force the issue far more than what we are doing.

[Pyramid Power]

I thought for sure I was going to need to start calling you Kalil Gibran as in "The Prophet" after calling for the Leafs to win last night Vinay.
You almost nailed it bang on Kalil, er, Vinay!

[Peter]

it was a good effort by the Leafs and showed some problems with the Caps. they seemed to me a bit cocky and over confident and i think they underestimeted the Leafs a bit and it's almost came back and bit them in the a$$. if the Leafs can keep up this effort level, the win's coing to come.

[Vinay Menon]

@Pyramid Power: I know! I almost looked smart for once in my miserable life. Oh well. Just glad they picked up a point. Sure, you can call me Kalil if you want. It's certainly better than what my wife calls me, which is "Prophet Dumbass."

[Pyramid Power]

@Vinay Don't feel bad 'Kalil'. My wife just calls me dumbass.

[Hoofheartz]

Excellent posts by the Leafs faithful. The only part that I have to disagree with is the praise heaped upon McGuire. I cringe every time he opens his mouth.

[Pyramid Power]

@Hoofheartz What bothers you so much about McGuire? Very curious.

[goalie]

I can never understand why some in the media keep talking about the Leafs as a playoff contender as if that is what fans really want. We want a Stanley Cup, not another 43 years of "trying" to squeeze into the playoffs. No wonder MLSE keeps telling the GM it's OK to trade away draft picks. Will we ever learn?

[Josh]

Love your blog, definatly my new favourite blog on this site. Anyways I agree with you 100%. When the leafs fell behind 3-1 I was just about ready to turn off my TV. I stuck with them though and had a little spazz on my couch when they went and took a 4-3 leaf in 3 minutes. I didn't expect them to win in the shootout....but had this been 5 years ago before the lockout this game woulda been a tie...not bad seeing as we faced washington. Hopefully we can go out and play some up tempo, fun hockey next game.

As for the Haiku contest...I can't comment on the story anymore :(
So I am going to post mine here :)

Leafs are at a low
and now Dion has to go
So please come back soon!

Ya...i'll try submitting it in the actual comments section of the article later :)

Keep up the good work, love the blog

[randall]

Re haiku contest, I was having trouble posting it in the comments section of the story you linked to, but as I'd love to win a pair of tickets to a Leafs game, I thought I'd post my entry here and hope it gets to the appropriate contact:

A skate blade slices
The first of a thousand cuts?
Hope now bleeds away

[Pyramid Power]

Jaroslav Halak trade update for any Canadiens fans here especially ones who like to make fun of the Kessel deal.

Jaroslav Halak: 7-1-1 with three shutouts with the Blues.

Matt D'Agostini: Five goals and two assists in ten games with St Louis.

Lars Eller for the Canadiens: 1 assist in 12 games with Montreal.

Ian Schultz: Seven games played and zero points with the Hamilton Bulldogs which is the Canadiens AHL farm team.

[Vinay Menon]

@Josh @randall: Not sure why comments aren't going through on that link. But I'll make sure the haiku judges see your entries.