ICYMI

Nikita Korostelev traded to the Peterborough Petes

In second outdoor game, the Leafs are on a different path at the Centennial Classic

Mike Palmateer: The hero the Centennial Classic Alumni Game deserved

Woll, Bracco help USA to top of group with win over Canada

The Leafs

Are outdoors today. But about yesterday:

Red Wings-Maple Leafs alumni game heated at times, but a lot of fun for players | MLive
“The Red Wings led 3-0 on goals by Nicklas Lidstrom, Igor Larionov and Brendan Shanahan. The Leafs tied it on goals by Wendel Clark late in the second period and Darcy Tucker and Tie Domi in the third.”

Joust like old times for Leafs, Wings alumni | Toronto Sun
“You have the intensity and the competitiveness and we don’t get enough of that when you walk away from the game. You just don’t have that fire and that passion and (in these games) it kicks in a little bit. You saw the Leafs came back flying in the third period (after trailing by three at one stage) and they wanted to win."

Detroit Red Wings alumni all smiles after beating Toronto Maple Leafs | Detroit Free Press
“He was touch-and-go this morning whether he was going to show up,” Draper said. “I’m glad he did. We’re all happy to have him. You could see Max watching him and he was all smiles the whole time his dad was in the net.”

Shanahan’s ties run deep with both Maple Leafs and Red Wings | Sportsnet
‘The cause of that mystery cut in Saturday’s alumni game? Well, the Hockey Hall of Famer would only offer up a game of multiple choice. "It was a fight or a shot block or maybe I just fell down and hit (Borje) Salming’s skate," said Shanahan.’

Maple Leafs get history lesson | NHL
"Everyone's like, 'Oh, my god. There's three generations right there,' " said Maple Leafs alumnus Lanny McDonald, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. "It was awesome."

Past meets present: Today's Maple Leafs bond with legends of yesteryear | Sports Illustrated
“I’ve known Mitch since he was 12 years old,” [Gilmour] said. “I don’t need to offer him any advice. He’s doing great.”

Outdoor game gives wide attention to legend of Auston Matthews but Maple Leafs just want two more points | National Post
...Is the kind of headline that we should’ve expected, I suppose.

How to celebrate the NHL Centennial Classic in Toronto | CBC
"The NHL has put a limited number of tickets to the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic game online."

Q&A with Maple Leafs great Wendel Clark: First Cup since 1967 would be 'huge' for Toronto | ABC News
ESPN.com: What will it be like to play on an outdoor rink, given where you grew up and some of the memories attached to that?

Wendell Clark: Well, it's a lot of fun. You get back to the roots of it [when you're] outside playing. This one is a little fancier than the weeds growing on the side of the ponds where we started. But it's always a great reminder -- and a spectacle and fun for the players as well as the fans.

WJC

Goddamnit, young Bolts, I am disappointed in you. Especially you, Ingram!

Watch Dylan Strome's mom reaction to her son's scoring chance | Puck Daddy
...When you draft a goaltender named Woll.

5 best moments from Canada-USA New Year's Eve showdown | Puck Daddy
"Team USA goaltender Joe Woll stood tall and turned aside 25 of 26 Team Canada shots, many of them high quality chances, as the Americans beat Canada despite being outshot and out-chanced."

Canadians fail to raise American flag after USA world junior win (Video) | Puck Daddy
Considering how often the US mangles "O Canada," I'd say we owe y'all one or two of these.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From The Branches