Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

Last night was the Canada / USA game of the Four Nations Faceoff, and it started with a bang.

US-Canada game at 4 Nations Face-Off starts with 3 fights in the first 9 seconds
The highly anticipated game between the United States and Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off started with three fights in the first nine seconds.
AP NewsSTEPHEN WHYNO

Then it ended with a blah.

Larkin scores game-winner as USA topples Canada at 4 Nations Face-Off
Dylan Larkin scored the go-ahead goal in the second period as the U.S. beat Canada 3-1 after a punch-filled start that saw three fights within nine seconds to open the countries’ electric matchup at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Sportsnet.caCanadian Press

And speaking of international rivalries, Finland defeated Sweden in overtime! They love to beat Sweden more than any other rivalry I think.

Granlund scores in OT, Finland defeats Sweden at 4 Nations Face-Off | NHL.com
Forward wins it at 1:49; Gustavsson leaves after 1st period with illness
NHL logoDan Rosen

I love a good roasting of a team, and Chris Tanev's dad doesn't disappoint.

The Father of Leafs Defenseman Chris Tanev Shreds the Vancouver Canucks Over Treatment of his Son
Mike Tanev, father of Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev, publicly blasted the Vancouver Canucks this week for how his son was treated by management.
H&L Media IncRyan Smitheram

Orillia native Hap Day was a star for the Maple Leafs, and there's a two part series on him in the local paper.

Hap Day’s humble journey from Midland juniors to Leafs’ legend
Clarence (Hap) Day won seven Stanley Cups with Toronto, the first as team captain, five more coaching the Leafs and the last as assistant manager
OrilliaMatters.comSubmitted photo

Six points? Draft this kid!

Val-d’Or Captain, 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Nathan Brisson Nets Six Points (2025-02-15)
The Acadie-Bathurst Titan must be thankful they’re the ones with Dawson Sharkey on their team as his hat trick performance helps carry the team over the Shawinigan Cataractes. The battle between the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Baie-Comeau Drakkar came down to a battle between the two teams’ draft…
Yahoo SportsJacob Titus

Marie-Philip Poulin is still out there doing her thing, sadly it's for Montréal.

I hope she can, because she is needed.

Finally, it's an older story, but when you want to play hockey you play, even if you have to grow the game from the ground up.

Para ice hockey delivers adrenaline rush for those with need for speed
Para ice hockey in the fastest growing sport in the Winter Paralympics but Australia has never qualified, leaving a new generation of dedicated players dreaming of the big time.
ABC NewsABC News

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches