I talked with Marcus Foligno after the optional skate on Tuesday morning before the Leafs game. He told me that he was heading to Chef's to carb up. Then, he was heading for home. 'I'm taking a nice nap. I'm playing hard hockey tonight", Foligno told me.
Fast forward to his first shift against the Leafs. Poor Carl Gunnarsson didn't get the memo that Foligno was planning on rattling the molars of the Maple Leafs.
"I just wanted to come out with a fatser effort than in previous games. Like I told you this morning, I just wanted to go home and get rest. Rest is a weapon, and I really wanted to take it to these guys. They kinda ticked us off last game and we didn't appreciate it very much. It was one of those games where they wanted to be the spoilers, but just the way we were down and we bounced back up just shows the character we have in this room", Foligno told me proudly.
After the game, Marcus told me:
"I saw his bucket fly off. I knew I hit him hard", he said.
In a surprising tone, he then asked: "what did he miss, a couple of shifts?"
No, you ended his night, I said.
That's the kind of life that Marcus has been living since he was recalled to the big club on March 10. He's got 14 points in 12 games and he's singlehandedly driving his team into the postseason.
Here's his first NHL scrap. Watch he he goes over and under with the upper cup, just like his old man!
*****
6:30pm EDT:
Miller and Scrivens lead their respective squads onto the ice fo rwarm-ups.
Nathan Gerbe and Mike Weber are on the ice taking the skate while Kevyn Adams, James Patrick, and Teppo Numminen look on.
TJ Brennan will not play on his birthday.Weber will play in TJ's stead.
Each are expected to play tonight.
****
Scrivens told Leafs TV today that he's ready for Buffalo's best punch
****
7pm:
Lindy Ruff is scratching Brad Boyes for what might be his last ever Sabres home game.
Nathan Gerbe is in the lineup, as is Mike Weber.
***
1st Period:
On the game's first shift, Marcus Foligno destroyed Leafs D Gunnarsson in behind the Toronto net. Marcus told me this morning that he'd be [playing hard hockey tonight.
Gunnarsson went to the Leafs room with the trainer to be looked at after the hit.
***
Moments later, Brayden McNabb wrecked Matthew Lombardi on the wall in front of the Sabres bench. Leafs tough guy, Jay Rosehill asked McNasty to dance and boy did they! McNasty landed a right cross to the jaw of Rosehill.
McNasty gets a two minute boarding call and the Leafs go to the PP.
1-0 Leafs
Tyler Bozak scores PPG off a rebound in front of Miller.
***
Marcus Foligno wins his first of many NHL fights by destroying Matt Fratting of the Leafs. WOW!
The uppercut to Frattin's beak was an homage to Pops Mike Foligno.
In his first four shifts of the game, Foligno has three thunderous hits, one fight and 7 PIMS. Thats what I call Heavy Hockey!
Like father, like son.
***
2-0 Leafs
Bozak scores his second of the game
***
3-0 Leafs
Fratting smokes a bullet blocker high on Miller.
What the Hell is going on here?
***
Sekera is -3. Gerbe is -2.
***
2nd Period:
Gunnarsson is done for the game. Leafs will roll 5 D, and one of them is battleship Komisarek!!!
***
3-1 Leafs
With Crabb in the hole for tripping Foligno, the Sabres PP attacks and scores.
Foligno to Sulzer to Ennis. Score.
Ennis' 15th of the season.
***
3-2 Leafs
Sulzer with a sweet sauce that beats Scrivens five hole.
**
3rd Period:
4-2 Leafs
MacArthur scores off a feed from Crabb.
***
4-3 Leafs
Then, Scrivens gets called for tripping...
Sabres PPG. Roy from Hodgson, as Vanek was getting mauled and assaulted in front of Scrivens by Komisarek.
****
5-3 Leafs
Gardiner circumvents Miller's net, with sulzer on his back... s., holds, shoots.... scor
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