Hockeyhead

Ron Wilson refused to make goaltender Vesa Toskala a fall guy for the team’s sub-par record this season despite his lousy play.  Now, coming off of his third great start in a row, head coach Wilson’s patience is paying dividends for a team looking for its identity.

Toskala stopped 32 shots versus the L.A. Kings to improve to 9-6-5 on the season while inching his save percentage closer to .900.  Toskala showed off his spectacular reflexes and mobility that carried the Leafs through most of last season.  The one goal he allowed was the first shot he faced; a defensive miscue left Alexander Frolov all alone for a breakaway.  Toronto answered with power-play goals from Matt Stajan and Mikhail Grabovski before Jeff Finger potted an empty netter for his 2nd goal of the season.

Finger’s strong physical and defensive play continued last night, he leveled Kings’ forward Oscar Moller with a devastating clean hit before dropping the gloves with Derek Armstrong who came to Moller’s rescue.

Injury Note:

Toronto RW Jamal Mayers did not play after the first period when he broke his hand after crashing into the net.  Mayers will likely miss a minimum of 3 weeks.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports

SL

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