I have a tendency to be a bit of a bipolar Leafs fan. I want to believe they'll conquer all and come out victorious no matter what, but my experiences as a Leafs fan have given me some serious fears and insecurities. When I'm watching a game, I expect the other team to score first, the Leafs defense to collapse, bad penalties to be called on the Leafs and obvious ones missed for the other team, and for the goaltending to fail us just when we need it most.
This season, I'm trying to be different. While I still couch my hopes in reality and try not to get carried away, this is a team I am starting to believe in. They showed resiliency when Giguere had a rough game on Friday night and pulled out the win. Last night they came up against the hot goaltending of Dwayne Roloson but never looked fazed by it. This is a team that wants to win, and wants to do it the right way. There are still defensive breakdowns from time to time, and the young forwards make boneheaded moves sometimes, but I feel like with this team it's a learning process where as last year that was just the team we had. These guys want to play for eachother and they want to play to win. So I'm going to put aside my fears and look at it as glass half full. So today, instead of mourning the end of our winning streak, I am celebrating the continuation of our point streak. Woooo 5 games and counting!
Links below the jump.
- Post Game Recap: For Kris’ Sake
MLHS reviews the Leafs loss last night. - First-Place Islanders, Leafs Play Early Season Classic
NHL Fanhouse seems to think last night's game was quite the game. My guess is they love Dwayne Roloson. - Leafs' Wilson blasts controversial calls
Mirtle reports that our coach agreed with the fans in the stands last night: "Ref you suck!" - Roloson comes up big against Toronto again in Islanders' OT win
From The Hockey News. - Game #5: NY Islanders @ Toronto, Oct. 18, 2010 (2-1 OTL)
Slava Duris gives us the scoring chances from last night. Oh Versteeg, when will you make these coun? - Leafs Drop 2-1 Decision to Islanders for First Loss of the Season
Game recap via Leafs Nation Online. - Leafs "lose", but gain a point; Gunnarsson this year’s Schenn?
Vintage Leafs Memories talks about the Leafs loss and how entertaining this team is, and touches on Gunnar's troubles. - Leafs TV Mailing It In
Toronto Sports Media complains about Leafs TV's decisions to hire talent from Toronto instead of the best talent available. - "Kegger" Off to a Strong Start
MLHS talks about the the development of Greg McKegg. - Obscure Leafs From the Last Decade, Vol. 3: You Call That A Hot Streak?
Fifty Mission Cap talks about past winning streaks by the Leafs. Brian Burke: A Leafs Enigma
Roy MacGregor at the Globe and Mail has a great article about our GM.
Late Addition
David Shoalts Strikes Back, Calls Coyote Fans Idiots on the Radio
Travis sent me this last night and I really think everyone should read it.
