Archives for March 25, 2007

‘“If we want to be the big, bad team we think we are, we’re going to have to show a little more effort, that’s for sure — early in games, at least,” Miller said. “We know we have the capability to score, but we got to start playing complete hockey.”’

A happier ending (Toronto Sun)

Leafs bounce back (Toronto Sun)

O’Neill not in lineup (Toronto Sun)

This year’s Leafs can look back for inspiration (Toronto Sun)

Leafs not dead yet (Toronto Star)

Quiet bus journey worked wonders (Toronto Star)

Young Colaiacovo playing with maturity (Toronto Star)

Leafs bounce back to beat Sabres (Toronto Globe and Mail)

Game recap (MapleLeafs.com)

Photo gallery (MapleLeafs.com)

‘”They regrouped. They wanted it really bad and came out and outworked us,” Buffalo’s Brian Campbell said. “I don’t think we competed anywhere on the ice too much tonight.”‘

‘”They played really well the whole game,” Sabres defenceman Teppo Numminen said of the Leafs. “They came at us hard from the start, and they really competed. Our game is skating, and it seems like we weren’t skating today. We’ve got to pick it up.”‘

‘”It shouldn’t (matter that the Leafs are desperate),” said Miller, who faced 16 Toronto shots in the first period and allowed three goals on 21 shots before being pulled in favour of Ty Conklin less than four minutes into the second. “We should be (desperate), too. That’s a team we couldn’t match up against. We’re going to find soon that we’re going to be the desperate team if we don’t start playing good hockey.”‘

‘Jochen Hecht scored the only goal for the Sabres, who had won two straight entering the game. Ryan Miller let in three goals on 21 shots before being pulled in the second period, and Ty Conklin came on in relief, allowing one score on 14 shots.’

‘It took the Leafs just five minutes to score in the third as Nik Antropov gave Toronto a commanding 4-1 lead for the second consecutive night. But the Sabres would not pull of the comeback this time as the Leafs would hold on for the 4-1 victory.’

‘”If we want to be the big, bad team we think we are, we’re going to need to show a little more effort,” said Miller.  “That’s for sure.  Early in games at least.  We know we have the ability to score, but we’ve got to start playing complete hockey games.”‘

‘Now set for three days of rest and reflection, coach Lindy Ruff and his troops are left to ponder their suddenly alarming propensity to mail in partial efforts and half-hearted attempts of defense in their own zone in the past two weeks, in which they’ve allowed 35 or more shots to bombard their goaltenders in five of their past seven games.’

‘“I don’t think we were ready to play,” said defenseman Henrik Tallinder, who was one of only two Sabres players with a plus ranking Saturday. “In the first period, they out shot us again, 16-to-4 or something. We weren’t in the game. It’s a little bit disappointing. It’s a little bit embarrassing as well.”‘