UPDATE: Jonathan Bernier not on the ice for warm-up skate this morning. (came out at the end). Only to find out that he has been sent to the Marlies for a conditioning stint.
The Maple Leafs havn't had two drafted goalies playing on the team in the same season since the 98/99 season when 'the cat' Felix Potvin shared duties with Jeff Reese.
Sparks' opportunity is now, he's impressed the coaching staff and management enough to make this move with Bernier and give him the net. Best of luck to the young goaltender. ___________
Garret Sparks was the Leafs first star in Monday night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers as he started off his career with a glorified twenty four save shutout. Amazingly enough for a team that has been in the league since the original six, that was the first Leafs goalie to ever post a shutout in his debut. Not only that, but Toronto hadn’t had a shutout since December of 2014. Not a bad start for the twenty two year old tender who was in the ECHL just a year ago.
“Sparky… was born in Illinois and was picked by Toronto in the seventh round in the 2011 draft. It’s never easy to make it as a player or a goalie in the NHL as the competition is tough, as we all know. But it seems to break into the National Hockey League, sometimes you need some luck on your side to go along with your good play. Injuries are what led to James Reimer getting his chance to play for the Leafs, which in turn Reimer is now nursing and injury and Sparks is in. Of course Bernier playing like a thin slice of swiss cheese does open up a door for the young Leafs goalie Sparks.
Goalies sure are peculiar. Between their rituals and superstitions to their pre-game warmups and carving of the crease they really do make me wonder sometimes. It’s not an easy life being infront of 100 mph frozen pucks coming at you nine months of the year. The life of a goalie would be one of many bruises and bodies crashing into you as you are the last line of defense and don’t want anything going behind you, player or puck.
With Sparks emerging and Bernier getting the choke collar on beside Babcock on the bench, what’s next? What will the Leafs do with Sparks when Reimer is back to full health? The obvious would be to send Garret Sparks back to the AHL where he can play for the Marlies. But, if Babcock likes what he sees and Reimer’s play slips, who knows what the Leafs goaltending duo will become by seasons end. Whatever Babcock and his henchmen decide, it’s quite obvious that Jonathan Bernier is playing far below where he should be in Babcock’s eyes. He truly may be the first player on the Leafs to be in the dreaded ‘Babcock’s doghouse’.
Look for Sparks to get the nod tonight as Toronto takes a visit to Winnipeg who has struggled lately and are 3-7 in their last ten games. The Leafs are 6-3-1 as they had a phenomenal November compared to their crummy start in October. Don’t be surprised to see Toronto come out the gates with purpose tonight as they will want to begin December on the right foot, putting together back to back wins with Garret Sparks in net.
The line of James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov has been spectacular. Leo has a career year going with ten goals in 24 games and has been playing like a man on a mission, back-checking, hitting, forcing turn-overs and winning battles along the boards. Just what Mike Babcock loves! Hopefully Komarov can continue to put the puck in the back of the net, he’s scoring at a 22.7% shooting rate which is high, but attainable if he continues to score the beautiful tip shots and tap in saucer passes; of course the empty netters never hurt.
Believe it or not, Captain Dion Phaneuf leads the team with a +4 rating, 15 points in 24 games. He’s played much better under Babcock as he has been mostly partnered up with Jake Gardiner. Dion’s decisions from the point have been much better this season as his passes have been crisp and his shots have been on net. He’s still managed to lay some bone crushing hits on his opponents without getting himself caught out of position. Whatever your feelings may be for Phaneuf, you have to be pleased with his overall improvement as he still has another five years left on his contract after this season.
Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul is officially on the IR with a lower-body injury. Hopefully for trade value’s sake he is back in the lineup sooner than later and can continue his point production (8 goals, 3 assists).
Be sure to take a good look at Garret Sparks pads, blocker, glove and helmet. What do you think?
Thanks for reading, enjoy tonight’s game!