The Toronto Maple Leafs followed the Hollywood script to a tee in their Battle of Ontario match with the Ottawa Senators.
Garrett Gamble, an 11-year-old with Morquio syndrome, signed by the Leafs to a one day contract as part of the Children's Wish Foundation and was given the royal treatment by the club, including an introduction before the game, a stall in the Toronto locker room and jersey #42, the same as center Tyler Bozak.
The Leafs trailed 2-0 after 40 minutes, but rallied in the third as Bozak scored the hat trick, including the game tying tally with 1:24 left in regulation to force overtime. Veteran defenseman Eric Brewer buried a rebound past Ottawa's Craig Anderson 3:17 in the extra frame to give Toronto a 4-3 overtime victory at Air Canada Center on Saturday night and end their seven-game losing streak.
The night was capped perfectly as Gamble was named the night's first star to the roaring approval of ACC faithful and that the comeback had cost their provincial rival a valuable point in the standings.
The Ottawa loss, coupled with a Boston victory over the New York Rangers Saturday afternoon has the Senators one point behind the Beantowners in the race for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
*******
With the loss to Florida and Carolina’s 5-2 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday, the Leafs hold onto the fourth draft slot appears to be solid, as they trail the Hurricanes by four points in the standings and have played two more games. The odds of Toronto’s draft position improving went up even further on Friday, as Edmonton defeated the Dallas Stars 4-0 at Rexall Place and moved within three points of the Leafs.
If Edmonton passes Toronto, the odds of winning the upcoming draft lottery would increase from 9.5% to 11.5% and guarantee the Leafs selecting first, third or fourth at the NHL Draft in late June. Moving past the Oilers would also increase the possibility of snagging OHL scoring champ Dylan Strome with their pick if they lose the lottery.
In an interview with Sportsnet’s Mike Johnston, the 18-year-old native of Mississauga indicated that it would welcome the chance to be picked by his hometown team.
“It’s just about timing and if I’m fortunate enough to be drafted by the Leafs I think it would be a really good opportunity for myself.” Strome said. “I’m just looking forward to hopefully being drafted and if it’s by the Leafs I’ll be really excited, if it’s by another team I’ll be excited.”
*******
McEichel Race – Points(Games Played)
8. PHILADELPHIA 76(75), 7. NEW JERSEY 74(74), 6. COLUMBUS 74(74) 5. CAROLINA 64(73), 4. TORONTO 60(75) 3. EDMONTON 57(75), 2. ARIZONA 54(75), 1. BUFFALO 48(74)
Current Leafs odds at winning Draft Lottery(9.5%) Same
Games To Watch: New Jersey vs Carolina
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Note : Continue to check back to my column on Hockeybuzz throughout the day for the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information
click here.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»