ATD #9 Bob Cole Quarterfinal: #3 Kingston RMC Paladins vs. #6 Toronto Maple Leafs

[Murphy]

Kingston Stands Up to Leafs in Rough and Tumble Game​

It appears that the Leafs strategy in this series is to key in on the Russian players and rough them up at every opportunity as that is what they seemed to do most of throughout game two of the Bob Cole Quarter Final last night. Kingston played tough in their own right though and came out on top with a thrilling and physical 3-2 OT victory and now lead the series 2 games to 0.

Special teams played a huge part in this game with all three of Kingston's goals coming on the powerplay. Mario Lemieux had another huge night with three assists. Giving him 2 goals and 5 assists through the first two games. Bobby Bauer and Steve Yzerman scored singles with John Leclair scoring the overtime winner. Mats Sundin had a strong 2 point night with a goal and an assist on Ted Kennedy's game tying goal with seconds remaining to send it into overtime.

Toronto came into this game strong and silenced the boisterous crowd by opening the scoring at the 6:19 point of the first period. Mats Sundin wired a one timer from a pass behind the net from Gary Roberts to take the 1-0 lead. Roberts had a strong game himself and led the Leafs with an astounding 14 hits. 8 of those directed towards Konstatin Locktev who left the game with a "general body injury" at the end of the second period. It was Scott Stevens who seemed to key in on Loctev's fellow countrymen Ven Alexandrov & Alex Almetov by harrasing and roughing them up during every stoppage and hitting them at every opportunity.

The physical play led to a barrage of penalties handed out to Toronto in particular during a stretch at the mid-way point of the second. With four players in the box and a back to back 2 man advantage, Kingston executed their powerplay perfectly
and fired 9 shots at Martin Brodeur scoring on 2 of them. Kingston left the second period with a 2-1 lead.

The third period saw the two teams play their best hockey of the series to date. Both teams traded quality scoring chances but Brodeur and Fuhr played strong. Hits were a plenty this game with 41 hits credited to Toronto and 36 credited to Kingston. It was with Brodeur pulled for the extra attacker that Teeder Kennedy was finally able to solve Fuhr in the third to tie the game up with 22 seconds left.

Overtime was a fast and ferocious affair as both teams decided to go all out for the game winner. Stevens caught Almatov with a vicious elbow sending him to the penalty box when Leclair made Toronto pay with a goal mouth tap in from a nice backhand pass from Lemieux for the overtime winner.

There was some fireworks that erupted from behind the penalty box when Stevens was littered with debris thrown from the fans. Play was halted for 8 minutes while 6 unruly Kingston fans were escorted from the building. Victor Tikhonov & Punch Imlach were seen having a heated excahnge as well.


"The NHL can still lick me" Leafs gm Lander was quoted after the game. The officiating was pure crap. I don't know of a rule that states you're not allowed to hit Russians but thats all they seemed to see and call in this game."

"There not going to intimidate us," F. Inmate added. "I think they seem to think our Russians are somehow inferior, they have another thing coming if they think that. Pure bush league organization as far as I'm concerned."

Kingston leads the series 2 games to 0

 

[FissionFire]

These automerges are very annoying. I wonder if they can be disabled for this forum ut left intact for the rest of the board.

 

[Murphy]

Konstatin Loktev Out For The Series​

Konstatin Loktev sustained a seperated shoulder and a concussion during last nights Bob Cole Quarter Final game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Josev Golonka is expected to draw in for him when game three in Toronto gets underway tomorrow night.

Kingston co-gm V. Islander was livid with what he percieved as excessive cheap shots directed towards his players particularly the ones of Russian nationality. I thought it was bush league last night and I stand by it today. I hope the NHL takes a good look at this."

The NHL and V. Islander can lick my balls replied Toronto gm, L. Lander. First he whines that we didn't prepare for the playoffs properly then he see's a little playoff hockey from us and he doesn't like it now? I'll tell you whats bush league, that fourth line that Kingston ices, thats bush league!"

 

[FissionFire]

Automerge block

 

[Leaf Lander]

good grief !! the inuendo!!

so far it is more of the same for my teams.

 

[Murphy]

Kingston Takes Commanding Series Lead​

Toronto played a strong game today and carried an edge in play and scoring opportunities but Grant Fuhr was strong in net and Kingston came away with a 4-2 victory to take a commanding 3 games to 0 lead in the Bob Cole Quarter Final series.
Toronto doesn't seem to have an answer to Mario Lemieux as once again he led Kingston in scoring with 2 goals giving him 9 points for the first three games of the series. George Hay and Ken Reardon added singles for Kingston. Rick Vaive and George Armstrong scored for Toronto.

The series has taken a nasty turn with plenty of rough stuff and a bit of a feud seeming to develop between head coaches Tikhnov & Imlach. The jawing between the two started before the puck was dropped and carried on through the game. The two teams gms most likely aren't on each others Christmas card list as well.

The rough stuff started off during the pre-game warmup with Ken Reardon having a heated exchange with Scott Stevens. Cooler heads prevailed but it seems it was a sign of things to come as Reardon played a whale of a game tonight and was involved all over the ice tonight.

Toronto opened the scoring for the second game in a row at the 17:12 mark with a Rick Vaive wrister on his off wing at the hash marks that seemed to surprise Grant Fuhr. The period featured a rare hard hit between two defensman when Reardon forayed into the offensive zone and caught Scott Stevens coming out from behind net with a thunderous check that sent both players flying. Stevens seemed to take the brunt of the hit and had to be helped off the ice by the trainer. Reardon was also invoved in numerous scrums with Gary Roberts.

It seems Toronto's achilles heels is the second period as Kingston came out and scored three unanswered goals all in a span of 3:41. George Hay opened the scoring for Kingston followed by back to back goals from Lemieux. Toronto rebounded and held a territorial edge in play outshooting Kingston 14-8 in the period but left the period trailing in the game 3-1.

The third period was a thrilling affair as Toronto poured it on. George Armstrong solved Fuhr at the 7:12 mark of the third and appeared to tie it up at the 10:16 mark but the goal was called back at was deemed as "inconclusive" As the puck dribbled past Fuhr it was Reardon and Leaf forward Mats Sundin who both dove into the net together after the puck. The puck appeared in but was under Reardon's arm and could not be seen crossing the red line. To add insult to injury the Leafs were assessed an unsportsman like penalty on the play. With the period dying out and the Brodeur pulled for an extra attacker it was Ken Reardon with the empty net goal with his clearing attempt sliding into the empty net.

Toronto's colourful gm, L. Lander was again not impressed with the officiating. "It was physically impossible for that tying goal not to be in the net. Reardon was in the net, Sundin was in the net, the puck was under one of them, camera or no camera that was a goal. Just because I don't pander or whine to the head office like Kingstons gm's do I think we're getting screwed over royally because of it."

F. Inmate was in a considerably better mood than his Toronto counterpart. "He's desperate, what else is he supposed to say? They threw everything at us and we still prevailed. They tried to intimidate us and it didn't work. They have nothing else. Its just a sign of desperation over there. Should have built a defense that can hold onto a lead I guess" Inmate added.

Kingston leads the series 3 games to 0
-------------------

Leafs GM Fined For Second Time In Series​

Leafs General Manager L. Lander has been fined 10,000.00 for comments deemed "detrimental to officiating" Its the second fine incurred by the leaf gm this series after earning a fine for not allowing media access to his team after game 1.

"I'm not a suck up and I'll never be" I'll pay whatever they want and I don't care. My concern is my team and my team only" Lander was quoted as saying. In fact I'll send another ten grand in advance if they want. I'm going to call a spade a spade and we're getting screwed over, its as simple as that. When pressed about comments from F. Inmate about his team being desperate, Lander added, "well we're down 3-0 so I guess he's right, he's not right often but I guess a blind squirrl finds a nut once and awhile."


In Kingstons camp, co-gm V. Islander was taking the high road. He doesn't think they've seen the best of the leafs yet. F. Inmate was less diplomatic. "Its still lipstick on a pig'" he scoffed.

 

[FissionFire]

autopost blocker

 

[seventieslord]

Wow, and I thought I did a good writeup. You, sir, have put me to shame

 

[Murphy]

Leafs Win! Leafs Win!​

The Toronto Maple Leafs like to do it the hard way. Down 3 games to 0 and in sudden death overtime facing series elimination. Toronto hero Teeder Kennedy saved the day, and the entire city for that matter with a heroic effort with his overtime goal at the 14:55 mark of the third overtime period. The goal gave the Leafs a hard fought 4-3 victory and sparked new life into the team. The game however, like the rest of the series was not without some pre-game controversy.

Kingston co-gm Inmate was denied entry into the Air Canada Center. Leaf gm Lander had taken issue with Inmates, "lipstick on a pig comment." It was only with direct intervention by NHL Commisioner Bettman that Inmate was allowed into the game, shortly before puck drop.

This was a game for the ages and played the way hockey was meant to be played. Scoring chances were plenty, hits were even more plentyfull. The Leafs guns Mats Sundin, Murray Oliver and especially Kennedy came to play. Kingstons strong duo up the middle of Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman were up to the task as well. Sundin, Oliver & Kennedy each had a goal and an assist each, with Rick Vaive adding his second of the series. Lemieux continued his torrid pace in this series with a two assist night with Yzerman scoring a goal and an assist. Sid Smith and Josev Golonka added singles.

For the third game in a row, Toronto opened the scoring in the first period with Sundin's second goal of the series at the 2:17 mark. Murray Oliver scored minutes later to stake Toronto to a 2-0 lead. Unheralded Golonka scored on a deflection from a Larry Murphy point shot to close the gap and the period ended with Toronto leading 2-1. Scott Stevens was at his physical, imposing best credited with 8 hits in the period alone.

Kingston clawed there way back into the game at the 16:12 mark of the second period on the powerplay with Yzerman's fourth goal of the series and the two teams went to the dressing room squared up at 2.

The third period was strong for both teams as chances were traded by both sides. Grant Fuhr and Martin Brodeur were equal to the task however until late in the third when Rick Vaive sent a hard wrist shot between the legs of Fuhr at the 18:17 mark of the third period. Tikhonov put together a plan that seemed to have worked during their time out when a faceoff win by Yzerman sent the puck to Doug Wilson who slap passed a shot for the deflection to Sid Smith to send the game to overtime.

The first two periods of overtime featured some thrilling end to end action and scoring opportunities but Brodeur and Fuhr shut the door. Not until the 14:55 mark of the third period was a goal scored and a typical hard working goal from Ted Kennedy at that. Kennedy fought off Vas Pervukin the corner, took the puck to the front, out muscling Zin Bilyaletdinov and roofing it above Fuhr before being flatened by Tony Leswick.

It was Kingston's co-gm F. Inmate turn to be not happy after the game. " Thats just totally rediculous, barring me from watching my team? Just more bush league tactic's from a bush league team."

Lander scoffed at the reports. He has his buddy Bettman to look after him, what's he worried about? In fact what more proof do you need that the league wants Kingston to win this series?"

V. Islander wasn't concerned. "We were concerned about a long layoff between series had we won anyways. This isn't a set back at all. I think we let up on them anyways. We'll go home and put all this garbage behind us."

Kingston Leads Series 3 games to 1
-------------------

Leaf GM Incur's Third Fine​

Director of hockey operations Colin Campbell has handed down a third 10,000.00 fine to beleagered but colourful Toronto gm L. Lander for actions deemed "detrimental to the league." Its the third fine for Lander in the series. "I prepayed it anyways" scoffed Lander. Its too bad they can't fine me more, I'd happily pay it.

In related news, Toronto city council accidently leaked plans for the Stanley Cup parade route to be held along highway 401. Makes sense to me a councillor was quoted. "We have the most fans in the nation, where else can we hold that many people?"

 

[seventieslord]

To beat the doublepost automerge....

 

[Murphy]

Leafs Claw Their Way Back In Series​

With the series moving back to Kingston, last change and the boisterous Kingston fans willing them on. co-gm F. Inmate expected a strong game from his team. It turns out it wasn't enough as Toronto gutted out a 2-0 victory.

With 11 points in the first 4 games. Mario Lemieux was held pointless for the first time this series. Martin Brodeur silenced some growing criticism with his first shutout of the series and Ted Kennedy's strong play continued from game 4 with another game winning goal.

The first period was a lackluster affair as both teams seemed affected by the long overtime of game 4. There was a decidedly lack of jump for both teams as it appeared both teams decided to play a defense first style. No scoring in the first period. Shots on net favoured Kingston 8 to 6

It was a hard Scott Stevens hit to Ace Bailey that seemed to spark the Leafs in the second period. In typical Stevens fashion he caught Bailey admiring a pass and caught him with a thunderous hit that stopped Bailey dead in his tracks. Bailey went to the bench on his own but did not reappear for the game. It was Kennedy who opened the scoring at the 15:26 mark of the second with a deflection from a Rob Blake point shot. Grant Fuhr contested that he was interfered with but the goal stood.

Both teams gained their legs back for the third and it was some more of the hockey we've come to expect in this series. Broduer made several circus stops including a desperate dive with John Leclair shooting into a wide open net with time winding down in the third. Gary Roberts scored into an empty net with Fuhr pulled for an extra attacker. It was the fourth goal scored with a goalie pulled this series.

"Looks like Kingston lost two games in a row to a bush league team." Lander quipped. "What does that make Kingston if we're so bush league? Looks like a one man team out there they ice. Lemieux doesn't score and they have nothing." Lander added.

F. Inmate, somewhat subdued issued a short brusk statement. "I can't reply to much Lander says. In fact I never understand what he's talking about anyways. In dealings with him in the past I've requested he just puts his thoughts into a word document. Maybe spellcheck can dicipher what it is he's saying to me."

Kingston Leads Series 3 games to 2
-------------------

Mario Lemieux Doubtful For Game 6​

Mario Lemieux's troublesome back has flared up rendering him doubtful for game 6 tomorrow night in Toronto. "It started acting up in overtime of game 4 and I tweaked it again at the start of yesterdays game. It probably played a large part as to why I wasn't that effective"

Ace Bailey is also a game day decision with concussion like symptoms occurred when he collided with Scott Stevens.

Konstatin Loctev is out for the series after suffering a seperated dhoulder and a concussion, also from a Stevens hit.

Head coach Victor Tikhnov isn't tipping his hat as far as any line up changes or combinations. "My teams play in units so this is a concern but we can adapt. Arkady Chernyshev was a hell of a player in his day, maybe we'll dress him" Tikhnov joked.

 

[shawnmullin]

Really enjoying the write ups Muprhy. Lots of drama!

 

[FissionFire]

When he PM'd me requesting to writeup this series it just seemed too perfect. The biggest supporter of rough and tumble hockey writing up the most entertaining discussion thread I've ever read. He's doing this series justice right now with these excellent writeups.

 

[Murphy]

Kaberle Scores OT Winner, Leafs Force A Game 7​

The Toronto Maple Leafs faithful went home happy last night with their team posting a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory. It was Tomas Kaberle's turn to play hero when he scored his first goal of the series with a timely pinch at the 3:16 mark if the first overtime period. Ted Kennedy answered the chants of Teeder, Teeder with the game tying goal with 3:01 left to play in the third period. Kennedy also added an assist on Peter Bondra's first period marker. Steve Yzerman and newly inserted Harry Westwick scored for Kingston. Special teams has been a concern for Toronto coach Punch Imlach, but they won the special teams battle tonight, with two powerplay goals including Kaberle's overtime game winner.

With injuries mounting for Kingston, head coach Viktor Tikhonov inserted rover Harry Westwick into the lineup. Westwick centered the second line for Kingston and turned in a strong performance. Steve Yzerman moved up to 1st line center. Punch Imlach stayed pat with the lineup that has won two games in a row and has carried the series momentum onto home home ice for game 6.

Bondra opened the scoring for Toronto on the powerplay with .07 seconds remaining in the first period. It was Toronto's first powerplay goal of the series. Dick Irvin sr was in the box serving a double minor with an uncharacteristic high sticking penalty. Primarily a penalty killer Kennedy saw time on the first powerplay unit and the move seemed to pay off and sparked what had been a struggling unit to date.

As has been their calling card this series, Kingston played a strong second period and were rewarded with two goals. Yzerman tallied with a deft deke and deposited the puck behind Martin Brodeur on his backhand at the 6:12 mark of the second period. Yzerman filled in admirably for the injured Mario Lemieux and Kingston didn't look at all like an injury depleted team. With Yzerman taking over in a leadership role he was buzzing the Toronto net all period and had numerous scoring chances. Westwick filling in the second line center spot played a key role and replied with a tally of his own to give the Kingston squad a 2-1 lead at the end of the second period.

The third period saw a defensively minded Kingston squad try to protect the one goal lead and the strategy seemed to work for most of the period as the Toronto squad had a difficult time trying to gain the Kingston zone. It took an opportunistic Kennedy who darted in and intercepted an errant clearing pass from Vas Pervukin and he made good on the chance with a laser wrist shot that beat Fuhr cleanly at the 16:59 mark of the third period. The maple leaf faithful had been chanting Kennedy's name all night and he answered the chant with the biggest goal of the season for the Leafs.

It didn't take long for the delerious crowd at Air Canada Center to erupt in overtime. The disciplined Kingston squad incurred a rare too many men penalty and the Leafs made Kingston pay for the mistake when Kaberle wired a point shot home behind a screened Grant Fuhr. In a strange development after the goal, the chants of Teeder Teeder turned into Lander, Lander in an obvious show of appreciation for the embattled Leaf gm.

"This team is making history" Leaf gm Lander was quoted. We're going to be the third team in history to come back from being down 3-0. You can bet on it."

"I wouldn't be taking that bet." V. Islander replied to the quote after the game.

The series is tied 3 games to 3
-------------------

Lemieux Status Still Doubtful for Game 7​

Mario Lemieux's back hasn't responded to treatment and he doesn't know if he'll be able to suit up for tomorrows 7th and deciding game set to get underway in Kingston. "It's beyond frustrating, I want to be out there but the pain is just to severe. I'm hoping it'll come around tomorrow, there's nothing more I want than to put away the Leafs tomorrow." Lemieux was quoted as saying. Viktor Tikhnov has indicated Lemieux's status will be decided during the pre-game skate. F. Inmate says everything possible is being tried, including flying in a reknowned back specialist from Italy.

 

[FissionFire]

33?!?!?!??!?

 

[Transplanted Caper]

Amazing updates. I've been put to shame!

 

[Murphy]

A Game 7 For The Ages​

You know playoff fever has gripped Kingston when the stands are packed a full hour before the game. Kingston Fans responded to the chants in Toronto by chanting Mario, Mario, a full hour before the game. Mario Lemieux didn't take part in the pre game warmup but there he was to take the opening faceoff at the start of the game much to the delight of the rabid Kingston Fans.

Tikhnov also decided to keep rover Harry Westick into the lineup due to the strength of his solid play in game 6. Westwick filled in for Vas Pervukin on defense who was a healty scratch.

The first period was scoreless but not without scoring opportunities on both sides. Both teams threw caution into the wind and pressed for the opening goal but Brodeur and Fuhr were both flawless in net. The first period ended in a scorleess draw.

In the second period the two teams continued to press but couldn't solve either goaltenders. The Leafs enjoyed two 5 on 3 opportunities and the rejuvinated powerplay did everything but score on the Kingston Squad firing 11 shots on netminder Fuhr during the powerplays but he turned everything aside. The Kingston squad thought they had finally solved netminder Martin Brodeur at the 16:19 mark of the second but video review showed the puck hit the cossbar and didn't cross the redline. The two teams went into the dressing room at the end of the second still held to a scoreless draw and knowing the next goal would be huge for the series.

 

[FissionFire]

Murphy you are too cruel making us wait like this lol.

 

[chaosrevolver]

My God, great writeups. So much suspense.

 

[Murphy]

The Kingston faithfull kept up their chants of Mario, Mario throughout the intermission break. It was an amazing atmosphere, a full hour before the game and throughout the intermission the standing room only crowd kept up their chanting but saved their loudest cheer for their team as they entered the ice to start off the third period. The rink literally shook due to the sheer volume of noise from the crowd. The crowd acting like a 6th player seemed to work as Kingston swarmed the the Toronto end and on their 7th shot of the period Dick Irvin sr swatted home a rebound and scored the games opening goal at the 5:45 mark of the third period. The crowd erupted and streamers were unloaded from the upper reaches of Kingston rink.

With the rink workers out to clean up the remanats of the streamers, the chants turned to Irvin, Irvin and here we go Kingston, here we go.

The delay in cleanup seemed to work in Toronto's favour though as they stemmed the pressure and mounted an attack of their own. For the next 5 minutes wave after wave of pressure from Toronto swarmed Kingston's end with Kennedy and Sundin creating scoring chances with every shift. Mats Sundin was finally able to solve Grant Fuhr at the 12:19 mark of the third to knot the game up at 1-1. Sundin faked a shot just inside the blueline that allowed him to get around Larry Murphy, faked another shot that froze Fuhr and unloaded a quick snap shot that beat Fuhr's stick side. Boos rained down from the rafters but quickly turned to chants of here we go Kingston, here we go after the puck drop.

 

[FissionFire]

automerge block

 

[Transplanted Caper]

This is beyond amazing

 

[Murphy]

Toronto has overcome their 9 shot deficit at the midway point of the game and now leads Kingston in shots on net 31-28 and have rode the momentum of Sundins goal. Kingston seems to be running out of gas as Toronto continues to swarm the Kingston end but Fuhr doing what he does best isn't allowing the game winning goal to get past him. Toronto has a close opportunity when a Rick Vaive shot gets behind Fuhr but he gets enough of it as the puck dribbles dangerously close to the redline. Its Doug Wilson who's the hero as he clears the puck out of the crease and sends it up to Bobby Bauer who springs a breaking Mario Lemieux with a beautiful dish pass at the Toronto blueline. Lemieux breaks in alone on the breakaway and delivers what the Kingston crowd has been cheering for all night with the go ahead goal at the 18:03 mark of the third.

Imlach calls a timeout, mainly just to rest Kennedy and Sundin as with the crowd noise its next to impossible to hear any kind of instruction. Toronto gains the zone but Kingston is effective at keeping the puck on the outside and with time winding down the Kingston crowd counts down the clock. Time runs out on Toronto's amazing comeback attempt and Kingston wins the game 2-1.

Mario Lemieux is a deserving and runaway choice for first star of the series.

Ted Kennedy is chosen as second star of the series and

Steve Yzerman is selected as third star of the series.

 

[Transplanted Caper]

Congrats to both teams on arguably the most entertaining series I've ever seen in the ATD. The Maple Leafs are one more team that probably deserved a better fate in the sense they looked like a team more than capable of winning a round. Looking forward to debating with VanI and FI#2 in Round Two.

 

[FissionFire]

An epic write-up worthy of an epic series in possibly the zenith thread in ATD history.