The Toronto Marlies could not manage a complete effort in Game 5 of the North Division Finals in Syracuse on Saturday, as the Crunch scored four unanswered goals in a 5-1 victory at Onondaga War Memorial Arena.
Steven Oleksy scored for Toronto, who trail the best-of-seven series 3-2 and face elimination at Ricoh Coliseum on Monday.
The Marlies played started strong opening period, outshooting Syracuse 12-8 and taking the lead on Oleksy’s first goal of the post-season, but the Crunch quickly responded as Erik Condra set up behind the net and fed Matthew Peca for the tying goal.
Steve Oleksy opened the scoring tonight as he connected on the one-timer in the top of the slot. Assisted by Findlay & Clune.#MarliesLivepic.twitter.com/bSHUf0NXdF
Syracuse took over the game in the second, scoring a pair of goals to take the lead. Kasperi Kapanen’s mid-ice stumble created a Crunch counterattack that led to Joel Vermin’s go-ahead goal and Kevin Lynch beat Toronto goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo to make it 3-1. Syracuse added a short-handed goal from Jonathan Racine and an empty-netter from Gabriel Dumont in the third period.
*******
Phil Kessel vs. Dion Phaneuf in the Eastern Conference Final.
If fans are slightly perturbed at the fact that two key players of the Burke/Nonis era Maple Leafs have reached the lofty heights of playing for a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, all you have to do is remember that tonight is the anniversary of the most painful playoff collapse in the 100 year history of the Toronto franchise and why they needed to be moved.
Four years ago, the Leafs were in Boston playing in Game 7 of their first round series at TD Garden, leading 4-1 midway through the third period, only to……..well, you know the rest.
It is not an excuse to say that it is surprising that the 2013 Leafs got to Game 7 against the Bruins (who went on to lose to Chicago in the Cup Final) with depth forwards Jay McClement, Nikolai Kulemin and top defensive pairing of Phaneuf and Carl Gunnarsson playing to the point of exhaustion.
The collapse in Boston was a warning sign that Leafs management did not heed. They signed Kessel and Phaneuf to long-term contract extensions within the next 12 months and attempted to bolster the roster by signing David Clarkson and trading for Jonathan Bernier and Dave Bolland.
It took two more collapses for management to recognize that Kessel and Phaneuf were talented players who could not adequately live up to what was expected of them.
Kessel has thrived in Pittsburgh, winning a Stanley Cup last season playing on a third-line with Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin and Phaneuf is slotted behind Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson on the Senators second pairing with Cody Ceci.
Toronto’s quicker than expected turnaround can be credited as much to being able to move out their big-money contracts as it can to the lottery balls coming out in the right order 12 months ago.
Moving past the pain of May 13, 2013 will only be possible when the Leafs taste playoff success.
*******
Mitch Marner had a goal and assist in Canada’s 3-2 overtime loss to Switzerland, but the surprise of the game was two goals from Leafs draft pick Fabrice Herzog.
The 22-year-old Herzog was selected 142nd overall by Toronto in 2013 and has played the last three seasons in the Swiss-A league, including last season in Zurich with Auston Matthews.
*******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.*******
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:
»