Leafs Fall to Panthers

What is with the back-ups walking into Air Canada Centre and putting up a brick wall? Scott Clemmensen puts up a 42-save performance as the Florida Panthers walk away with an important two points in a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Yes, I know of Clemmensen's 42 saves, there were maybe a handful of those that were high quality scoring chances. But, regardless he played a very good game having sat out 20+ games in a row.

Phil Kessel had quite a few chances in the opening period, but had troubles hitting the net. His first was his patent wrist shot that just missed the far post and had a clear breakaway and I think had too many options going through his head on whether to shoot, deek, or pass back to Tyler Bozak. It turned out to be attempted deek that was nullified by a Clemmensen poke check.

David Booth scored the first two goals for FLA. The first off a Luke Schenn turnover and beat J.S. Giguere upstairs, his second standing at the top of the blue paint and tipping in a hard Brian McCabe rocket from the point.

Giguere played an ok game. The first goal, you can flip a coin on and the second he had Booth right on top of him. Almost similar to Clemmensen, but did not have the same luck.

The Leafs had a chance to take the lead in the first, but they had trouble hitting the net. Give the Panther defence credit though; they blocked around 20 shots tonight which added to the Buds frustrations offensively tonight.

The lone bright spot was the only goal scored by Freddie Sjstrom, who netted his first goal as a Maple Leaf. It was not the prettiest goal, but they all count no matter how they go in.

Next up for the blue and white, they fly into the ATL Thursday night to battle the Atlanta Thrashers.

Until next time Leafs Nation,

Go Leafs Go!

Chase Hadden