BOSTON (Oct. 24) — A sharp, gritty comeback by the Maple Leafs over the Bruins here last night should prove to be a handy tool as this season unfolds. Though it may not have any bearing on the final standings, the young Toronto players, in particular, will draw strength from the memory of this result — a no-quit rebound against a tough divisional opponent on the road. When the Leafs find themselves in a similar predicament later in the season, they’ll recall their ability to shake off an early 2-0 deficit. And, when the tables are turned on the Blue & White, and they cough up a two-goal lead, they’ll better understand the ebb and flow of the long, 82-game schedule.

Last night’s game was the type of experience that can only help the Leafs in their quest to develop a winning environment over the next two or three seasons. Not only did they overcome the Bruins’ two-goal lead, they bounced back from a pair of devastating hits that could have sucked the wind out of the visitors. Matt Stajan was belted to the ice by a textbook shoulder-check from Dennis Wideman late in the first period and though he was obviously stunned, Stajan found the inner-strength to regain his feet almost immediately. Early in the middle frame, defenseman Mike Van Ryn was on the receiving end of a hit that will be part of all the highlight shows in the next couple of weeks. Boston’s Milan Lucic blasted Van Ryn into the side-boards, shattering the protective Herculite glass into zillions of tiny pieces. Van Ryn’s stick inadvertantly cut a female spectator in the first row, and the fragments of glass rained down on the back of his neck.

But, the veteran blueliner stayed in the game and he personified the Leafs’ plucky demeanor on this night. Just a few minutes later — after having his uniform vaccumed by the training staff in the dressing room — Van Ryn sent a dandy wrist-shot past Bruins’ netminder Tim Thomas for his first goal in a Toronto jersey. It reduced the Boston lead to 2-1 and provided the visitors their initial jolt of momentum. Just a minute and 13 seconds later, Nik Antropov erased the Bruins’ advantage with his fourth goal in the past three games. In the third period, it seemed only a matter of time before the Leafs took command, and Anton Stralman — firing what he called a “lousy” shot from 35 feet — beat Thomas to give Toronto its first lead. Niklas Hagman sealed the win with an empty-net goal.

It was the Leafs’ second victory of the season, exactly two weeks after opening up with a stunning win at Detroit, and it proves that Ron Wilson’s crew can prosper in Thursday-night road games against so-called Original Six teams. Now the Leafs have to master post-expansion clubs in games played between Friday and Wednesday.

Whatever the case, last night’s triumph will serve as a pleasing reminder to Wilson and his players.

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