Toronto Maple Leafs: Expect Fireworks in Vancouver
By Paul Taylor
Despite Erik Gudbranson’s public comments, expect another heated clash on Saturday, when the Vancouver Canucks entertain the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Arena.
Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to Rogers Arena, Vancouver. Now, it’s time for the main event of the evening.
In the white corner, with a record of 10-12-2, from British Columbia, please welcome the Vancouver Canucks! (Pause for cheers). Their opponent in the blue corner, with a record of 10-9-4, from Southern Ontario, please welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs! (Pause for boos.)
With last month’s volatile encounter between these two sides still fresh in the mind, many fans (and media) are looking forward to the rematch on Saturday night. The two teams traded punches for the first two “rounds”, before the Leafs landed the knockout blow, with three goals in the final period.
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When it was all said and done, the Leafs emerged victorious with a 6-3 win. However, almost as noteworthy, was the combined 171 penalty minutes.
In the immediate aftermath of the game, the Canucks’ Erik Gudbranson could be heard to say “Matt Martin is dead.” From that moment on, fans of both sides circled December 3rd in their calendars.
Entering Saturday’s game, Gudbranson has unsurprisingly attempted to downplay his comments. Speaking to Sportsnet‘s Dan Murphy, he said: “It was wrong, but the number of times I’ve said that is probably higher than most would expect.
“But do I mean it? No. That’s the honest truth. No I’m not going to kill the guy, that’s insanity. I was just frustrated at that point and unfortunately it got taken to a level that I didn’t expect.”
Now of course the defenceman isn’t going to actually kill Martin. How smart would that be, with especially with live cameras and nearly 19,000 “witnesses”?!?! (Although to be fair, you could almost imagine a lot of them turning a blind eye, in order to defend one of their own.)
Regardless, to expect Gudbranson and his teammates to not have revenge on their minds, would be to go against one of the essences of human nature. Among other things, professional athletes have a lot of pride, especially when it comes to facing your cross-country rivals.
Aside from Martin, another Leafs’ player who may want to watch his back, is Nazem Kadri. It was Kadri who registered a blindside hit on Daniel Sedin, which led to fights, ejections and sinister threats.
As you’d expect, the Leafs’ centre is ready to embrace the challenge. Speaking to Lance Hornby of Postmedia Network, he said: “There is definitely going to be some hostility, but we definitely play better under that kind of pressure.
“Especially myself. I don’t mind it at all. You have to be hard on good players.”
To be fair, Kadri is more used than most, to receiving abuse from the stands on road trips. However, he just isn’t bothered by it.
The 26-year old said: “That doesn’t make too much of a difference to me. I just care about this organization and the guys in this room.
“Whatever I can do to help them get wins and be successful, I’m going to do. Opposing players and fans aren’t really a priority with me.”
Understandably, a lot of you may be thinking we’re hyping this whole thing up, (which, admittedly, the media is prone to do from time to time). However, keep in mind the NHL is particularly concerned about any potential fallout from the previous meeting.
As such, NHL senior vice president of Player Safety Stephane Quintal will be in attendance, to watch the game. The news was confirmed by Canucks general manager, Jim Benning.
The league has already made a point of cautioning both teams ahead of the game. However, to say this will guarantee a nice, tranquil, uncontroversial encounter, would be extremely naïve.
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What are you predicting for Saturday’s clash between the Leafs and Canucks? Do you expect a similar game to the last meeting in November, or a much less volatile affair? Share your thoughts in the comments section.