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Maple Leafs vs. Bruins report cards: William Nylander and Joseph Woll send it to Game 7

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6 months ago

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The idea of a Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins once seemed nearly impossible, and yet, here we are. In another tight, defensive performance, the Leafs beat the Bruins 2-1 in Game 6 on Thursday to tie the series 3-3.

Toronto had control in the first period, holding the Bruins to a single shot, from Jake DeBrusk while short-handed. Boston had nothing going at five-on-five. The shot attempts between the two clubs were close, but the Bruins couldn’t hit the net. That’s partly because their shots were simply going wide, but the Leafs also did a good job getting in front of their attempts and re-directing shots high and wide.

The Bruins didn’t start to get chances until halfway through the second, and Joseph Woll rose to the challenge. Despite power-play opportunities on both sides, including a double-minor against Boston, it looked as though the game was going to remain without a goal heading into the third until William Nylander scored his first of the playoffs in the final minute. In the third period, both teams pushed for the next goal, and some solid work and lucky bounces kept the puck out of the Leafs’ net.

With time winding down, Nylander got his second goal of the game, putting the Leafs up by two and securing the victory. Morgan Geekie wound up scoring with 0.1 seconds left, and although it hurt Woll’s save percentage, it won’t change the fact that the Leafs’ season is still alive.

Three stars

First star: Joseph Woll

He was so close to his first career playoff shutout, but that doesn’t take away from his performance. Woll didn’t see much action for the first 25 minutes of the game but was sharp. His saves through traffic were strong, but I was more impressed with how he handled those chaotic moments when he was down yet composed, doing his best to take as much of the net away from Boston as possible.

Second star: William Nylander

The goals obviously were important, but the timing of them was more meaningful. Late-period goals are anchors, and Nylander’s in the second period likely made a Boston team that wasn’t playing at its best feel even worse. Nylander’s first goal, similar to Jake McCabe’s goal in Game 5, was another example of it never being a bad idea to throw a puck on net, as this one hit Charlie McAvoy along the way.

His second goal is what we know Nylander for. It was a one-on-one match with Jeremy Swayman, and Nylander won.

Third star: Matthew Knies

Knies was going to get a star regardless of whether he got a point or not. The assist was just a bonus.

The 21-year-old was wherever the puck was, offensively and defensively. You could tell the Bruins had an extra eye on him and finished their checks whenever they could, but Knies handled the physicality well and bulldozed through some of those attempts to slow him down.

Two defensive plays, in the first and third periods, stood out the most. David Pastrnak wound up with the puck in the slot in the first period, and Knies, in the correct position, deflected it, stopping it from getting on net. Then, his backcheck from one end of the ice to the other, to get in a position to stop McAvoy, was a well-timed play.

Player Grades

A

Simon Benoit-Jake McCabe

Not much to complain about with these two together, aside from a neutral-zone turnover by Benoit in the second period. These two together have been as steady as it gets.

Joel Edmundson 

He’s made for a series like this. His well-timed blocks, especially on the penalty kill, and the way he closes on the opposition in his own end were huge for the Leafs in getting the puck out quickly.

A-minus

Connor Dewar–David Kampf–Calle Jarnkrok

The fourth line didn’t get many chances on net, and totaled three shots. That doesn’t change the fact that they were a strong unit. They spent a lot of time in the offensive zone and kept the puck out of the Bruins’ hands. Those extended shifts were big momentum-wise, especially that near-minute-long shift in the third.

Ilya Lyubushkin 

There are times when he hangs on to the puck a little too long, but he’s still making good decisions with it and with his positioning.

Morgan Rielly 

He had helpers on both goals and got a lot of ice time in the final part of the third period. There were times when he seemed to struggle to handle and move the puck, and he got hit in the hand by a puck in the first period.

B

Max Domi 

He was still a positive contributor in the faceoff dot, and easily the fastest player on his line. That steal on Brad Marchand from behind the net in the first period was one of Boston’s best chances to score early, while Domi’s offensive awareness on the rush led to some good chances for himself and his linemates.

Tyler Bertuzzi

He recorded only one shot on the net, but Bertuzzi was all around Swayman. Whether it was his his stick, his body or his skate, he did whatever it took to maintain possession of the puck in the offensive zone.

Timothy Liljgren 

He got the primary assist on Nylander’s first goal, and I liked the communication with Rielly on some of Boston’s rushes.

B-minus

Pontus Holmberg

Similar to Knies, Holmberg is hitting another gear when it comes to his physical game.

Mitch Marner

He led all Leafs forwards in ice time and created some rebound chances in front for Bertuzzi. He didn’t get many opportunities to make skilled plays, and that may be a benefit moving forward. Keeping it simple is the way to go in this series.

C-plus

Noah Gregor 

I’m not sure if anyone had Gregor making his playoff debut in Game 6, but he definitely made good on it. I was looking forward to seeing his regular-season speed and physicality in the postseason, and he made the best of his chance with six hits.

Nick Robertson

I thought his shot in the first period might’ve caught Swayman off-guard. His second shot was the only significant danger that the Leafs created on the power play, while his best chance of the game didn’t lead to anything, as he fanned on the eventual shot. But he got into the corners and initiated contact, which is a plus.

Final grade: A

It was another tight game in which the Leafs didn’t give the Bruins much to work with. When Boston pushed, the Leafs pushed back and retained control. The commitment to blocking shots in the first period, from both the forwards and the defencemen, was huge, even though it didn’t give Woll much to work with. It’s another game in which the Leafs scored only two goals, and the power play doesn’t look anywhere close to being better, but you love the execution and the result.

What’s next for the Leafs?

Game 7. Saturday night, 8 p.m. Hockey Night in Canada. It’s an opportunity for the Leafs to exorcise their demons against a Boston team that needs to redeem itself after a 3-1 series collapse a year ago.

(Photo: Mark Blinch / NHLI via Getty Images)

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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:

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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.

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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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