The three Toronto Maple Leafs who travelled halfway across the world for the Olympics in Sochi, Russia will return to North America empty handed, as Team USA lost the Bronze medal game 5-0 to Team Finland.
The Americans, with Toronto wingers Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk, ended the tournament without a goal in the last 137:59 and were shutout for the second straight game, after losing 1-0 to Team Canada on Friday.
Kessel led Team USA with five goals for the tournament, but did not manage a shot on goal in the loss to Finland, who took a 2-0 lead early in the second period on goals from Teemu Selanne and Jussi Jokinen 11 seconds apart and never looked back.
Van Riemsdyk was struck in the throat area at the end of the first period and missed some time, but returned and played sporadically for the rest of the game.
James van Riemsdyk says he's OK after taking a puck to the throat in the bronze-medal game. "It just knocked the wind out of me."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 22, 2014Winger Nikolai Kulemin also will not reach the podium, as Team Russia was also eliminated by Finland on Wednesday.
*******
The Maple Leafs have sent center Peter Holland down to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
The 23-year-old former Ducks first round pick has six goals and five assists in 35 games split between Anaheim and Toronto and has been on injured reserve since late January after suffering a severe lace bite/foot injury.
Holland has been skating with the Leafs in practice at the Mastercard Center in Etobicoke, ON this week, but with the imminent return of center Dave Bolland and Trevor Smith close to 100%, Toronto had to make roster moves to get down to the 23 man NHL roster limit.
Toronto does not return to action until Thursday on Long Island and will have to make a decision on one more player if Bolland comes off the long-term injured reserve list.
INTERESTED IN TICKETS TO THE GAME???: Get Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets For Any Game At FanXchange.com.
*******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.*******
For Those on Twitter: Follow @mikeinbuffalo
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.