Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

It may have been a loss last night but at least we only had one Maple Leafs beating team disappoint us.

Leafs never had the lead in a loss to the Capitals
The game was closer than the score implies.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

There was a bright spot ahead of the game when Steven Lorentz got his...helmet stuck in the glass?

Auston Matthews is still out. Did he fall into the Springfield Mystery Spot?

Craig Berube on the latest news on Auston Matthews’ injury recovery: “He’s making real good progress and is feeling a lot better”
Ahead of Saturday’s game vs. Washington, head coach Craig Berube discussed Auston Matthews’ progress toward a return and the challenge against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals. Was it encouraging to see #34 out there skating today? Berube: Yeah, it was good to see him on the ice. Well, he has been on the ice for […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveMLHS Staff

Maybe he's just had too much brain tonic.

People are still talking about Latvia's wins and you know what? Good for them. They earned it.

World Junior Championship: Latvia Stuns Canada in 3-2 Shootout Win — Offside News
The story of an underdog and what the World Junior Championship means.
Offside NewsLiz Malcolm
Canadian holiday tradition of angrily berating teenagers continues
OSTRAVA, CZ - The long-held Canadian holiday tradition of berating 16-19-year-olds for losing a hockey game started a few days earlier this year.
The BeavertonAlex Huntley ( ajhuntley )

Unlike those lousy Canadians. Boo! Boooo!

But thankfully our frenemies to the south got revenge for us as the Americans defeated Latvia 5-1.

Danny Nelson scores twice, defending champ US beats Latvia at World Juniors | TSN
Notre Dame forward Danny Nelson scored twice, Western Michigan’s Hampton Slukynsky made 25 saves and the defending champion United States beat Latvia 5-1 on Saturday in the world junior hockey championship.
TSNThe Canadian Press

It's not always easy to move to the big leagues, some players just need more time.

The Journey: Understanding Why Prospects Struggle When Transitioning to the NHL
Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom. ******** When NHL prospects make the jump to the big leagues, they are usually hit with a reality check. Top-tier prospects picked early
DobberHockeyPuneet Sharma

Two thoughts. I thought the Rangers were supposed to be good, and I have Kreider in fantasy so if he could figure it out that would be great.

Chris Kreider doesn’t want to talk about his stunning Rangers scratch — but he’s ready to move on
Rangers forward Chris Kreider said he was ready to “take the lessons” from his healthy scratch last Monday’s game against the Devils and move on.
New York PostChristian Arnold

Are snubbed players getting snarky?

The Grinch is alive and well in Minnesota.

Thief steals Mankato West High’s hockey sticks, throwing shadow on weekend tournament in Duluth
The Scarlets’ showdown against Anoka will be made up later this season.
James Walsh

With the NCAA an option for CHL players, will Canadian University hockey suffer?

Canadian university hockey teams feeling the pinch of NCAA hockey ruling
Coaches across Ontario University Athletics — and other U Sports leagues — are scrambling to navigate a radically shifting hockey scene ever since U.S. colleges decided to welcome Canada’s top junior players.
The RecordJosh Brown

Money is being raised in Edmonton for a good cause.

‘Kids want to help’: First Ben Stelter memorial hockey fundraiser underway
A minor hockey tournament honouring one of the Oilers’ biggest fans is underway to help cancer patients.
Edmonton

Finally, a 'What If' about one of the bigger names on Canadian hockey history.

What Father David Bauer can tell us about Canadian hockey today
As Canadian hockey faces various challenges, the views of Father David Bauer can help reshape its future.
The ConversationMatt Hoven

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches