First Niagara. HSBC. Who Knows?

12 years ago

BUFFALO, NY – APRIL 03: Matt Frattin #39 (C) of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his first period goal against the Buffalo Sabres with teammates Phil Kessel #81 and Tyler Bozak #42 at First Niagara Center on April 3, 2012 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Maple Leafs went into Buffalo and had a hell of a good first period. That was the team that we all forgot existed earlier in the year and, until recently, hoped would return. The Leafs had 13 shots, IN THE FIRST PERIOD! those 13 shots lead them to a 3-0 first period lead.

This was not to be however, they went on to record 12 shots over the next two periods. A couple of questionable Buffalo goals in the third period helped the Sabres to tie up the game to force the game into overtime.

The Leafs had an unfortunate break (or fortunate break, however you want to look at it) in the overtime period when Dion Phaneuf flipped the puck over the boards, leading to a Buffalo powerplay, gamewinning goal.

Leaf of the Night

Phil Kessel

3A 8 SOG 23:23 TOI

Phil was on fire tonight, he now has 81 points on the season. He could have easily had five or six points tonight. Here is a pretty assist on Tyler Bozak’s 18th goal of the season:

Shame of the Nation

Jay Rosehill

5 PIM 1:47 TOI

What a waste of a spot on the bench. Here`s his fight:

All in all, it was nice to see some life from the Leafs even if it was only from Phil Kessel and in the first period. The whole team actually had a very strong first but started to fade, and quickly after it.

Picking up one point isn’t detrimental to the tank job. Check out the game in six if you missed it. There are a couple of very nice Leaf goals in there.