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Maple Leafs report cards: Toronto dominates the Blackhawks in Auston Matthews’ return

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2 years ago

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Let’s play a quick little game, shall we? I want you to lift a finger if you had any of the following thoughts ahead of tonight’s game against Chicago:

  1. The Leafs will lose
  2. The Leafs will be outplayed AND lose
  3. Petr Mrazek will stop everything

If you don’t have any fingers up then like me, you may be pleasantly surprised. We should expect the Leafs to make quick work of teams like the Blackhawks but unfortunately, we haven’t seen enough of that this season. Tonight’s game was a clear exception.

There were very few moments where Chicago was in it as the Leafs were in charge from start to finish. They took advantage of the opposition’s mistakes, outworked them to create their own chances, and didn’t allow a late momentum push.

Winning habits? I think so.

First star

William Nylander 

Three-point night for Nylander including his 30th of the season which came nine seconds into the game.

There was a part of me that was worried Nylander may take a step back with Matthews returning, but not only did he play to the same standard, but he also kicked it up a notch. Good edge work and awareness of Matthews earned him his first assist of the night while his speed and tenacity on the puck to maintain it long enough for help to arrive led to his second. Something that surprised me was Keefe giving him some reps on the penalty kill which has happened here and there. To make things even better, Nylander created a scoring chance from it with a strong stick on Philipp Kurashev.

Continued improvement on the defensive end in the puck, especially the handling of the neutral zone, could lead to more opportunities for him. The Kurashev goal is an example of how that could go south for Nylander but I thought he responded well afterward.

Second star

Conor Timmins

Talk about getting an opportunity and absolutely running with it. By no means was this a perfect game for Timmins but what I appreciate the most from him was his recovery when mistakes were made. Offensively, he’s another option on the rush in the neutral zone and gets a lot of pucks on net mixing it up between long wrist and slap shots (the latter of which we don’t see much on this team). Even the slap shots have some versatility to them and the one that beat Petr Mrazek in the second was low but well-placed.

Defensively, Timmins steps up to opposing players and doesn’t only rely on the boards to initiate contact. Sam Lafferty felt that twice, including this big hit at the blue line.

Although there were moments where I felt he held onto the puck too much, I thought this was a fine game for Timmins and one that should see him in the lineup again on Saturday … just watch the penalty minutes.

Third star

Auston Matthews

Three weeks out of the lineup but it didn’t look like he spent a minute out of it. Matthews was on it from puck drop and what I noticed early was how he was manipulating the location and lane of his shots. It’s fascinating how Matthews uses his body and releases pucks at different points to hit different angles at high speeds. It still amazes me how quick he is at the catch and release and Mrazek had no chance of stopping him.

Player reports

A+

Mitch Marner 

Marner was the best player on the ice in my opinion. From whistle to whistle he was hard on the forecheck and shifty skating with the puck. He continuously took the more difficult paths through the opposition dragging the puck through Chicago’s end and creating dangerous scoring chances for his linemates. The goal was called offside via Kerfoot, but Marner was incredible on that sequence from the steal to the skating.

Additionally, he made Patrick Kane, who already wasn’t having the most outstanding night, look worse by stealing the puck off him on the power play leading to a short-handed chance to flip it over to Kämpf.

A

Ilya Samsonov

A very low event game for Samsonov despite allowing two goals on 29 shots. I wouldn’t hold either of those goals on him but the most important thing was he didn’t give up a soft one in the moments when the Blackhawks were getting their shots in. His best sequence was in the first period where he made saves on three shots in a row. Those chances didn’t lead to anything drastic and Samsonov did a great job shutting the door after Kurashev’s goal in the second.

Mark Giordano-Timothy Liljegren

We got a lot of this pairing last season and I think it did wonders for Liljegren’s development. I thought the pair were solid in their gaps and back pressure on puck carriers. Liljegren, in particular, had a solid effort on Domi heading back to the defensive zone and disrupting his shot before he had an opportunity to fire it off.

B+

T.J. Brodie

Similar to Rielly, Brodie started his night with an assist getting the secondary on the Nylander goal. Anytime I noticed Brodie it was when he was putting pressure on an advancing player or trying to defend the front of the net. Quiet and efficient, that’s his motto.

John Tavares 

The quick hands in front of the net on the power play are something I want to see more from Tavares as the calendar gets closer to April. The goal, albeit relatively easy, brings him a step closer to another 30-goal year.

Rasmus Sandin 

The eye for offence from the backend worked in Sandin’s favour tonight. He got a lucky goal off Connor Murphy’s stick that was an intended pass but took a lot of opportunities to activate from the blue line

The Blackhawks’ goaltender made a pretty solid save on Sandin who labeled a shot for the top right corner of the net.

B

Alex Kerfoot 

Offside aside, the puck was following Kerfoot tonight. Part of it was Marner’s performance but he showed some good hustle and speed through the neutral and offensive zones. That assist for Tavares was a mistake on Mrazek’s part and was also a won race against Ian Mitchell.

Michael Bunting 

Bunting had a couple of close calls and empty nets in the middle frame. What I liked the most about his game was that it was quiet yet effective as he was the midway point for Nylander and Matthews to do their thing by bumping pucks over to one of them in the corner and supporting them if it was lost.

Morgan Rielly 

Rielly puts his name on the game early with that stretch pass to Nylander, the 399th of his career. That’s Rielly at his best: taking a step back, seeing a play develop, and moving the puck to the appropriate area. Unfortunately, falling for the Kane decoy on the second goal against after getting back to the defensive zone late put him in the “puck-watching” box as Kurashev blasted it past Samsonov.

The fourth line (Zach Aston-Reese, Pontus Holmberg, Joey Anderson)

I loved the energy from the fourth line and it wasn’t lacking from a single member of the trio. Aston-Reese was doing his part winning battles and throwing pucks to open spaces. Holmberg was great at grabbing the loose puck and distributing it throughout the offensive zone and occasionally stealing and working it back in the Leafs’ possession. Anderson, however, was definitely the weakest link on the line. He did his part on the recovery and got some wraparound chances on Mrazek but he had a number of turnovers and is pushed off the puck way too often.

B-

Calle Järnkrok

A very uncharacteristic and poorly timed pass from Järnkrok put Chicago on the board not too long after the Leafs scored. However, I like the offensive power Järnkrok adds lower in the lineup, especially on the penalty kill. It would’ve been a highlight reel play if Kerfoot was able to bat that puck out of the air.

C+

Pierre Engvall

A little too predictable with the rushes. I wish he would find ways to mix it up with his decisions on the zone entry, especially when some of those ‘stop and spins’ lead to turnovers and missed opportunities at offensive zone time. He did more of that late in the third period, setting Järnkrok up on a rush and making Jake McCabe fall on a rush to the net.

David Kämpf

Kämpf was the only Leafs centre who didn’t hit 50 percent in the faceoff circle finishing well below at 33 percent. He’s also hovering in the Kerfoot territory of getting looks and not scoring on them. Kämpf isn’t a player we expect goals from, but he hasn’t scored since December 8th.

Game Score 

Final grade: A

The Chicago Blackhawks looked tired, disengaged at times, and had a level of defence different brands of swiss cheese would envy. That said, I’m still going to praise the Leafs for dominating this game. The pressure on puck carriers in their own end was something I noticed quickly and often. The Leafs would either have two players on the carrier or two in the vicinity while using the boards to stop the puck and quickly transition it. The skilled players, especially Matthews, Marner, and Nylander, took advantage of the time and space the Blackhawks gave them and Samsonov made the saves when called upon. This was the perfect response to a bad loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets: a team they should beat.

What’s next for the Leafs?

Leafs. Habs. Hockey Night in Canada (CBC at 7:00 p.m.). Regardless of where they are in the standings, these games mean something to either fan base. That being said, the Leafs should win this one (he types optimistically).

(Top photo: Nick Turchiaro / USA Today)

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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1 day ago

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November 8, 2024

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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November 8, 2024

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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