Leafs Can't Hold 2-0 Second-Period Lead against Senators. Does it Matter?







BY HOWARD BERGER



The Fan-590 Radio, Toronto




A WORD TO THE WISE for Maple Leaf fans who may be feeling gloomy after
last night's 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators: Pay virtually no
attention to anything that happens until at least the final two games
on the pre-season slate. Only a long-term injury to a significant
performer would be worthy of anyone's angst or excitement in the first
six tune-ups. These exhibitions are scheduled partly for coaches to
look at unproven players in game-like situations, and primarily � in
cities like Toronto � to fatten the bottom line with pure profit before
salary cap obligations kick in on opening night.




This particular pre-season is a bit more noteworthy, given the latest
rules-crackdown experiment, and the Leafs/Senators tilt fell in line
with the few earlier practice games around the league by spawning a
total of 19 powerplays. Referees Tom Kowal and Kevin Pollock followed
the league-issued mandate to a "T" and it resulted, predictably, in a
game that encompassed none of the flow the new rules are designed to
cultivate. That's a paradox, however, that we'll all have to endure, it
seems, until (or if) the new directives attain their desired effect.




As for individual performances... again, take practically everything with
a grain of salt. Sure, a veteran like Wade Belak seemed completely out
of sync, but he's likely to learn a lesson or two from his first
experience with the rules agenda. Of greater note, Belak was
responsible for one of the few moments worthy of anyone's attention
when he engaged in a dandy scrap with Senators' roughneck Brian
McGratten, who recorded eight scoring points and 551 penalty minutes in
71 games with Binghampton of the AHL last season. That's an impressive
average of almost eight minutes per night in the box.




In the category of small personal victories that can be derived from an
exhibition game, Nik Antropov and Alexei Ponikarovsky should feel
pleased to have scored the only Toronto goals. The Russian pair could
be instrumental in the Leafs' fortunes this season, particularly if the
expected happens, and injuries sideline any of the club's top forwards
for a period of time. Antropov, who will never be fleet afoot, alertly
pounced on a loose puck in the slot area for the first goal.
Ponikarovsky then perfectly used the big Kazak as a decoy on a
two-on-one break and made a clever backhand move to flip the puck high
over Ottawa netminder Ray Emery.




Rookie winger Alexander Steen played reasonably well, and continued to
look poised among his experienced teammates. It seems perfectly clear
that the Leaf brass has all but decided to give Steen a premier role at
the start of the season, regardless of his showing in the exhibitions.
That's an explicit departure from previous strategy, and a further
example of a philosophical change that could be necessitated by the
salary
cap.




Player
development will be more important than ever, and it appears that Steen
will get a prime opportunity to show what he can do at the NHL level.
His demeanor and personality might be immaculately suited for the
challenge. Like his father, former Winnipeg Jets star Thomas Steen,
young Alex seems to have a balanced disposition, suggesting after last
night's game that he was neither nervous, nor overly excited about
suiting up for his first NHL action. Avoiding the emotional highs and
lows of a long hockey season � particularly in a city like Toronto � is
paramount for any player, young or old.




Eric Lindros was a minimal factor in his first Toronto appearance.
Again, that's of no importance, beyond being mentioned. Of note, the
Big "E" certainly did not appear at all tentative during his time on
the ice, which is noteworthy for those who believe the concussion-prone
forward will be walking on eggshells this season. He also looked sharp
in flicking home one of the Leafs' two goals in the mandatory shootout
exhibition after the game. Captain Mats Sundin also scored in the
penalty shot contest, won 2-0 by Toronto. It lifted Sundin's spirits
after he had flubbed a perfect pass from Steen late in the game, while
staring at a wide-open Ottawa cage.




Another Leaf who deserves some credit � and rarely gets any � is Chad
Kilger, the long-underachieving veteran who virtually no one outside
the team expects much of a contribution from this season. Kilger skated
with authority and showed lots of gumption going to the Senators' net
most of the night. He'll be a useful and significant fourth-line
commodity if he can deliver similar efforts during the regular season,
and chip in with a goal or two along the way.




And, veteran defenseman Bryan Marchment earned some Brownie points for
a typically abrasive performance that was sure to have caught the eye
of coach Pat Quinn. Marchment, of course, is a non-roster invitee in
training camp, hoping to earn another contract from the Leafs for the
coming season. It would seem, to these eyes, nonsensical to let the
wily Marchment slip away, given his years of experience in all
situations. Last night's effort clarified that even further.

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