FTB: Maple Leafs fans remember legendary goalie Johnny Bower

Johnny Bower is more than a legend. As a member of the last Maple Leafs team to win the Stanley Cup, and three more before that; a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame; and the go to icon of team history, it feels today as though a part of the soul of the Maple Leafs has been ripped away.

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Toronto Maple Leafs legend Johnny Bower passes at age 93

His loss will be deeply felt by all who personally knew him, and many more who only knew of him.

I met Johnny Bower before a game in the away room in Owen Sound. I had no clue what the most legendary goalie in Leafs history was doing there that cold winter night, but when I shared with him how I was fortunate enough to be drafted by the same organization he proudly backed

— Garret Sparks (@GSparks40) December 27, 2017

for so many years between the pipes, I could see the excitement he had in his eyes for me, the love he had for this team & it’s fans and the gratitude he had for the game and the opportunities it afforded him. I will never forget that encounter, the night a true legend made me

— Garret Sparks (@GSparks40) December 27, 2017

Leafs News

The NHL is back in action tonight, but the Maple Leafs have one extra night off before they start a three game road trip through the western US, beginning with the Coyotes tomorrow night. We can expect a full and proper tribute to Bower at their next home game which is on Tuesday, January 2.

Marlies News

The Marlies played the Belleville Senators at the ACC, yesterday and received their fourth loss in five games.

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Toronto Marlies lose 2-1 to Belleville Senators in "write-off"

The next Marlies game is Friday night at Ricoh Coliseum. I hope to see you there!

IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships

The preliminary round of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships started yesterday. If you didn’t have a chance to watch the games, you won’t be surprised to learn that Canada easily defeated their first opponent, Denmark.

Here are yesterday’s results:

Czechia 5 - Russia 4
Sweden 6 - Belarus 1
USA 9 - Denmark 0
Canada 4 - Finland 2

Here is today’s schedule (EDT):

3:00 PM Belarus @ Switzerland
7:00 PM Canada @ Slovakia

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