Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose but earn respect

[Leaf Rocket]

He's been hesitating a lot on his shot and seems to be in a less aggressive mindset, could have been good for him to get some confidence.

fair enough reasoning tbh. let's see what happens and hopefully it'll fire them up

 

[Stephen]

That I would agree with, but you know if Matthews gives him a shot back he's getting an extra penalty. But fine, whatever, take it if that's the only other choice.

I don't remember if it was Mark Messier (more likely) or Ron Francis or someone else entirely that said star players have to get a little crazy once in a while to protect themselves from opponents. With a predatory player like PLD who takes runs at guys, I think the best way to protect and deter is something like this. If you get the spidey sense that he's about to pull a stunt like a late hit on a pass, just get your hands, stick and everything right up to aggressively protect yourself. No one's going to be finishing checks on you with a reputation like that.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Ritchie just circled around shoving guys with that clueless look on his face.

He was stuck in between trying to find someone to level and also trying to play the game "properly" and in position.

Whereas Simmonds just went for it ... Ritchie just needed to go after someone.

More frustrating that on that PP he was on that unit when Pionk had his short second shift .. Pionk was right there and he did nothing. Disappointing.

 

[Stephen]

He was stuck in between trying to find someone to level and also trying to play the game "properly" and in position.

Whereas Simmonds just went for it ... Ritchie just needed to go after someone.

More frustrating that on that PP he was on that unit when Pionk had his short second shift .. Pionk was right there and he did nothing. Disappointing.

I think we're seeing why Ritchie was bounced out of Boston...

 

[JSn0w93]

Waive Ritchie. If he can manage to be invisible in this game, he has 0 value.

He definitely asked Lowry to fight and Lowry was clearly the one to say no. Likely because of the lead or being at the end of a shift.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Bettman and his American hockey mafia are eliminating honest fighting. Kinda crazy eh? The hypocrisy of the most violent culture on earth just slays me.

Dubois sitting on top of Matthews and shoving him is a-okay. Two willing combatants in a fight however is a big no no.

 

[Duffman955]

He was stuck in between trying to find someone to level and also trying to play the game "properly" and in position.

Whereas Simmonds just went for it ... Ritchie just needed to go after someone.

More frustrating that on that PP he was on that unit when Pionk had his short second shift .. Pionk was right there and he did nothing. Disappointing.

He needs to take notes from SImmonds,

f*** the game just start throwing bombs at Dubois

 

[Optimist]

I think that the Jets players should all pitch in for a teeth bleaching or three for Maurice. Dang but that's an ugly set of chicklets.

 

[JSn0w93]

I think that the Jets players should all pitch in for a teeth bleaching or three for Maurice. Dang but that's an ugly set of chicklets.

Maybe Dubois or Pionk will donate theirs after March 31st.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Tough to do that when he's a ghost

Clifford found a guy willing to fight because he knew he should. It was really Dillon or Lowry with Stanley unwilling to fight Simmonds

Simmonds wants to fight Stanley, so as soon as the puck is dropped he trips and then crosschecks someone who isn't Stanley, then crosschecks someone else who also isn't Stanley.

So without ever getting close to the guy he's supposed to fight, he takes a stupid penalty (could have been two), ruining our momentum, and giving them another goal.

Dillon on Matthews and the knee on Sandin should have been called. I think the knee on Holl was accidental, and wouldn't have happened if Holl hadn't lost his stick and tried to play the puck with his hand.

 

[34]

I called it last night that this game was going to be a blowout. Not good at all.

 

[fahad203]

Worst game of his season by far this was his chance to prove something and he literally skates away from contact and won’t get engaged what a JOKE meanwhile as soon as Simmer comes out of the box he goes right after someone

It's Ritchies bday. Be nice to him

He's still garbage though

 

[Gallagbi]

Simmonds wants to fight Stanley, so as soon as the puck is dropped he trips and then crosschecks someone who isn't Stanley, then crosschecks someone else who also isn't Stanley.

So without ever getting close to the guy he's supposed to fight, he takes a stupid penalty (could have been two), ruining our momentum, and giving them another goal.

Dillon on Matthews and the knee on Sandin should have been called. I think the knee on Holl was accidental, and wouldn't have happened if Holl hadn't lost his stick and tried to play the puck with his hand.

Game was done in the second, we didn't have it.

Woll play was worse than intended, but he wants contact and gets it. Otherwise he goes body with and stick in the middle

 

[notdoneyet]

Matthews had to grow a set of balls

always smiling when he is getting manhandled

at six foot three he should never get manhandled

throw a punch, cross check someone ,hit them with your stick or elbow. Thats the only way he is going to earn respect. Show some fight back.
Bullies pick on soft targets and until they show its easier to pick on someone else it doesn’t stop.

time to show some fight

 

[WTFMAN99]

Matthews had to grow a set of balls

always smiling when he is getting manhandled

at six foot three he should never get manhandled

throw a punch, cross check someone ,hit them with your stick or elbow. Thats the only way he is going to earn respect. Show some fight back.
Bullies pick on soft targets and until they show its easier to pick on someone else it doesn’t stop.

time to show some fight

Yes.

It was nice to see response from Spezza, Clifford and Simmonds but they're vets. Where's JT, Matthews and Rielly?

 

[fahad203]

Ritchie currently in GOAT territory. He's only hanging because of his size and draft position

He had a chance to shine on his bday. Drop the gloves even if nobody wanted to fight. Hit someone even if the play is dead or go after Helly a bit. He did nothing

I won't be surprised if this marks the start of the end for him. Clifford for half of the price brings what he should bring

On top of that Alex Steeves making a case for himself

 

[danny90]

Matthews had to grow a set of balls

always smiling when he is getting manhandled

at six foot three he should never get manhandled

throw a punch, cross check someone ,hit them with your stick or elbow. Thats the only way he is going to earn respect. Show some fight back.
Bullies pick on soft targets and until they show its easier to pick on someone else it doesn’t stop.

time to show some fight

I think if he knew he was going to get a penalty for doing nothing he probably would have just went after him. Matthews wants to draw the penalty and score a goal to help his team come back, not goon it up with someone who’s less than half the player he is.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Game was done in the second, we didn't have it.

Woll play was worse than intended, but he wants contact and gets it. Otherwise he goes body with and stick in the middle

We were down 5-1 and scored two to make it close. We weren't in good shape, but not out of it until then.

I have no idea what your second paragraph means.

 

[fahad203]

Matthews had to grow a set of balls

always smiling when he is getting manhandled

at six foot three he should never get manhandled

throw a punch, cross check someone ,hit them with your stick or elbow. Thats the only way he is going to earn respect. Show some fight back.
Bullies pick on soft targets and until they show its easier to pick on someone else it doesn’t stop.

time to show some fight

Matthews reminds me of young Spezza and Modano that way. Lots of size and skill but lacked that push back

But those guys start to find ways to become q bit grindy to play against. Matthews just too soft

 

[Mitchy]

Good for Simmonds for sticking up for the team. He's been a great 4th liner.

Also, nothing but respect for Spezza. Great player, even better teammate.

 

[Mr_Fun]

Tbh he was never a huge hitter even in his "prime" LA days. He's more so a "I'm not gonna take your shit and don't mess with my teammates" type of player.

Clifford's a decent enough role/depth player for us right now, especially if Simmonds - god forbid - gets injured.

BTW - the Kings are actually my adopted second fav team since I lived in LA for a year and went to quite a few games the year Gretzky joined. I was actually at the game when LA took out Edmonton in the 89 playoffs.

 

[Gallagbi]

Clifford's a decent enough role/depth player for us right now, especially if Simmonds - god forbid - gets injured.

BTW - the Kings are actually my adopted second fav team since I lived in LA for a year and went to quite a few games the year Gretzky joined. I was actually at the game when LA took out Edmonton in the 89 playoffs.

I'd rather see Gabriel than Clifford personally.

Both are behind a guy like Anderson and Robertson though

 

[htpwn]

I couldn't watch the game, but saw some of the highlights.

What is Winnipeg's issue, anyway? Is there lead in the city's drinking water or something? Because every year it seems they goon it up with us and then go all shocked pikachu, amazed when the Leafs dish it back out in kind.

We have been the bottom of the league in penalties taken for like three years running. We are by definition one of the cleanest teams in the league. If we are gooning it up with you, then that's because your team were being assholes and deserved it.

 

[OVO16]

 

[LeafalCrusader]