A New Perspective

DETROIT--If there were horns honking on Yonge Street last night, they couldn't be heard or felt in Motown.

Time to give Leaf fans some credit. While it's easy to pick on them for exulting too wildly over a three-game winning streak and continuing to live and die with a franchise that has disappointed for 41 years, beating the Red Wings 3-2 on opening night Thursday didn't produce a wave of "I-told-you-so" emails and "We're gonna win the Cup" voice mails.

It had to be a nice night to be a Leaf fan, to be sure, and the result was a far cry from the beating most expected the visitors to take at the hands of the champs.

But the general post-game response seemed measured. Leaf fans know what this season is probably going to feel like, and after weeks of being told by not only the media but Leaf management that the season is likely to be miserable, they seemed to accept beating the Wings as simply a good sign and a solid achievement.

So enjoy it Leaf fans. You're allowed.

Watching Nikolai Kulemin, Jonas Frogren, Mike Van Ryn, Jamal Mayers, Niklas Hagman, John Mitchell, Mikhail Grabovski and Luke Schenn take their first strides in blue-shouldered, white jerseys that are so much more attractive than the dreadful t-shirts they usually wear on the road had to be a nice change of pace for those who like this hockey club.

It had to be better than watching Darcy Tucker whiff on yet another goalmouth feed.

There's obvious holes in the lineup that aren't going to go away. But rather than an emphasis on size and big players, the Leafs seem finally to have grasped the lessons of the post-lockout world and seem determined to ice a club that can actually skate.

Everybody looked good Thursday night, and there aren't going to be many nights like that. But Hagman, to name one player, is obviously a very smart veteran, and Van Ryn broke up a couple of dangerous looking Detroit rushes, including a three-on-one break in the second period.

Jiri Tlusty, almost forgotten as a talking point among all the new faces, was probably the most dangerous Leaf forward in the first two periods. Grabovski, meanwhile, ended up with more ice time (17:07) than Nik Antropov (15:54), which means the job of No. 1 centre really is up for grabs with this club.

In general, there seems to be a new openness about this team, a departure from the uptight JFJ atmosphere. Low expectations and an absence of big-name, big-salaried veterans have altered the spirit, and head coach Ron Wilson's determination to make his players share the load and be accountable is noticeable.

So enjoy last night, Leaf fans, and if you want, feel like there's a tiny light at the end of this tunnel.

No ifs, ands or buts. No qualifying phrases or suggestions that it won't last.

Just enjoy.

Comments

[dav]

bah, i still rubbed it in a few wings' fans' faces. :D

[Aaron Campbell]

Even if they lose more games than they win this year, it will be far more entertaining than watching the bunch of has-bins they had on the ice last year.

[eyebleaf]

Great post, except for the below the belt shot at Darcy Tucker. Let it go, man, let it go.

[rob from t.o]

After years of watching a team that really never seemed to care..one full of general malaise..it was refreshing to see a leafs team that actually tired..for 60 full minutes..a team that actually seemed to want to play hockey and not just collect thier oversized cheque..now i realize this is gonna be a rough year as the team tries to meld into a cohesive unit..but..if they come into each game..with full effort and a willingness to compete to thier fullest for the full 60 minutes each and every game..i beleieve my leafs will be just fine..they may not make the playoffs..but it wont be for lack of trying..something i couldnt say for the past many years...i saw stuff i havent seen for years..FORECHECKING..BACKCHECKING..omg..it was a beautiful thing...and there wasnt that constant dump and chase...leafs of old did that all too often..but had no chase to go with the dump..it was nice to see some actual hockey being attempted...not perfect..but give them an A for effort...thank you leafs for actually playing hockey for once:)

[Julianna]

I will be the first to admit that the Leafs have a long way to go before they ice a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup, but I have to say I was impressed with what I saw last night.

I saw things on the ice that I thought I would never see with a Leafs team -- speed, players who were willing to go the net, forechecking, backchecking, players dumping the puck in and then "gasp" actually chasing it down...

This win was the result of hard work from all players and never giving up. It can only lead to good things down the road.

[bob55]

The first full game I've seen and Grabovski stood out in my mind. He's small but doesn't play that way. A great pick-up for a 2nd rounder. Tlusty will score 20 this year. Pony's gotta go, he doesn't fit with the way they're going and Blake has to get better...fast

[Conn Smythe]

'So enjoy it Leaf fans. You're allowed.'

We don't need your approval to cheer on our favourite team. But thanks anyway.

The biggest difference from last year's team - team speed and the Leafs really fighting for the puck.

Let's be honest - the Detroit defence were really giving the puck away all night, but at least the Leafs capitalized.

[Pamplemousse]

1967/41 years in every article you write about the Leafs? By this point I think everyone is aware of how long it's been since the Leafs raised the Cup, and it's long since stopped being an interesting point for actual Leafs fans.

[Guido]

A game like that really shows 2 things

1) The Muskoka 5 never played for Paul Maurice
2) Maurice was a bad coach - or had too much of #1

The Leafs in one game with Wilson played more in control then the entire season last year. I expected (as I assume most fans did) that they would collapse in the 3rd and maybe scrap out an OT Loss.. but alas they stuck to the system and even killed a big penalty. Good work so far Wilson.

[James]

As a Canadian living in North Carolina, it's a rare treat to watch the Leafs on tv. Usually I turn to TSN and the Star for all my info.

Last night was a pleasant surprise. The Leafs played an aggressive, complete hockey game. I was reminded of how the Wings played in last year's playoffs while watching the Buds last night. Even though they were outshot and lost 2/3rds of the face-offs, they used their speed and concentrated on two-way hockey. They also kept the mental mistakes to a minimum, only coughing up the puck 5 times (compared to Detroit's 19). I thought Jason Blake was finally given some freedom and he played very well, in my humble opinion. Grabovski, Tlusty (he was hardly mentioned by the Toronto media this summer), Moore, and Kulemin all played great last night. I thought Kulemin looked stronger and stronger as the game went on and Grabovski always seemed to be around the puck. I would like to see Kulemin get some time on the Grabovsk-Tlusty line. Alex Steen seemed to play better in the 3rd period after a subpar first two periods.

Schenn moved the puck well and didn't make any big mistakes. Carlo Colaiacovo, although he made a good poke check in the 3rd, did not look up-to-par. The biggest question I have is who sits when Finger comes back? And certainly Anton Stralman will get back into the line-up sooner rather than later.

I have to think that Wilson and Fletcher are showcasing Van Ryn and Colaiacovo at the moment. I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both moved out soon.

[Matt]

Hagman! Boy do I like him: not just cuz he wears #9, but he cuts to the middle to create a scoring chance and not to be afraid to get his bell rung by doing it).

Kulemin! If he can pot 20-25 goals (impactful goals, not Mike Gartner goals of no consequence) he may get a few Calder votes. He was good in the pre-season when he played.

Moore! I think we've found our new Greg Terrion. Wins faceoffs, plays smart and battles hard. Again, I watched most pre-season games and you can tell he was schooled by coach Lemaire in Minny. Smart player.

Can't wait for Saturday.

[Brad Mitchell]

I have to tip my hat and give Damien Cox a huge pat on the back. I've been very critical of his approach in the past. And I don't often agree with him. But today I think he deserves a lot of credit as it would have been very easy for him to be cynical and say the Leafs simply got lucky last night.
Mr. Cox did not take that approach... he instead accentuated everything that was positive about yesterday's effort. It's going to be a long and frustrating season for sure, but I extend a sincere thank you to Damien Cox for recognizing last night for what it was... a glimpse of hope.

[Marijan Kalman]

HELOOOOO did you watch the game!!!

Detroit had post and two crossbars before Leafs even farted.
They should be down 3 goals by a middle of first period???
Do you people in Toronto watch game or just watch what Leafs do!!!!

[Rich]

It will be great if Wilson can coax that kind of hustle from the Leafs over 82 games. They are quite quicker than last year for sure; and hopefully they can continue their great fore checking.

I would rather see Pony in the Minors and Mark Bell given his role as Bell is faster and has better hands. I hope that his clearing waivers wakes him up and he comes back with renewed vigor

[Joe]

i'm tired of blake shooting right at the logo of the goalie. he did it again last night. aim for the corners for once blake!

[Steve]

Gee thanks Damien, am I supposed to cry now? As much as you may deny it there are more Leaf fans who know how and when to enjoy a game than there are the idiot Leaf fans you seem to think everyone is.

And please, stop trying to insinuate you're not a fan of the Leafs - that you're purely an objective spectator. You may think you're fooling some people but it really doesn't give you any more cred. In fact, it's the contrary.

Steve

[FRT]

Hey Damien...yes it was a great start to the season...to spoil our once original 6 cross border rival Wings at home while they raised their Stanley Cup banner! But what I would really like to know is who allowed those "dreadful t-shirts they usually wear on the road" and those horrible all blue home jerseys sans stripes! Those 3rd jersey's with the old style Maple Leaf LOOK GREAT and should be the standard road fair...and have an identical blue home jersey! Get on the case Damien...tell who ever is in charge of this to smarten up and dump those "practice looking blue & whites"...!

[hoofheartz]

Mr Marijan Kalman,

Please note the final score: Leafs 3, Wings 2. So far the NHL gives nothing for posts and crossbars, not even a shot on goal, but I'm sure given enough time Bettman will think its a great way to increase scoring.

[Clark]

HELLOOOOOO Marijan! I did watch the game! And here's what I saw.

I saw Detroit turn up the heat early, and the Leafs withstood the pressure. Yeah, sure, the Wings hit the post a few times, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

I also saw a Leaf team play with composure, purpose, and desire. They were very much at home playing the high-speed, puck possession game, and did a great job keeping the majority of Detroit's chances to the outside.

Also, maybe you missed this stat. Giveaways; TOR 5, DET 19, two of which directly led to Toronto goals.

It's just one game, for sure. But to open a season of lowered expectations by walking into the defending champs house, WHO GOT BETTER, and winning, that bodes well for this Leaf team.

Maybe you were too busy watching the Leafs that you missed the Wings giving that game away.

[Matt]

I've been pretty hard on Damien lately, but for once we didn't get a negative blog...hopefully there will be more in this season to come (though I still have realistic expectations for the Leafs this season)