In the game of bad versus bad ... bad won!

Leafland is happy this morning. They were able to beat a team that has been struggling since last Christmas and this gives them justification to say their team is complete. I kid you not. Look at some of the headlines like "Proof Positive" (thank you TSN for reaffirming your hockey world bias). All the Leafs did was that they can beat the Senators, but only when they are down and out. Congrats. Too bad the Leafs are far from a complete team and free of blunders (scoring on your own net?) that fans and media gloss over simply because they beat the Senators. Only zealots of either team knew that last night's game was a matchup between two bad teams fighting for identity and purpose. Gasp. So let's get to the boys in red and talk about some of the issues.

The injury

I don't believe one iota that Martin Gerber was injured; not in the least. This is a classic case of coach and GM protecting a fragile goalie in the midst of trying to build some sort of bank roll behind him. That or they are trying to send a clear signal to Gerber by putting him in IR and showing him that Auld doesn't let beachballs pass by and Elliott is hungry to start in the big club. Either one of those options, but Gerber is NOT hurt ... pride doesn't count. Why?

Pre-game

Bryan Murray was asked just before the game if he felt "Alex Auld was the number one goalie at this time." Either Murray was being coy or deaf, but he answered the question initially with "Who?" When he collected himself he insisted that Gerber's injury is to be short lived (I'd say after we face enough division headache in Buffalo and they head to Florida), but he also instead that Gerber was still the number one. Technically that isn't true, but nevertheless, it sounded more like posturing and trying to create a market of interest or Murray was trying to convince himself that Gerber was as good as he dreams. Nevertheless, Auld started and played an OK game ... not spectacular. How come Ottawa lost by one goal?

Penalties

The first is that there were too many phantom calls. Volchenkov getting the gate for interference when both he and his man were playing for the same puck and space was a little insane. When Alfredsson got the gate for holding when he was held up was also insane. The game was very lopsided on the calls and it appeared as though Toronto had the favour in the calls at most opportunistic times. My least favourite was the non-call on Luke Schen for instigating and/or fighting with a visor. Either one of these calls should have been made. Neil laid a hit, Schen was the third man in and went at Neil with his helmet and visor still on. Listen... if you want to fight then take off your damn helmet if it has a visor. Most tough guys will let you get your gear off because they respect that the fight isn't just for giggles.

Cowardice

Hollweg was part of the issues that sent my mother's cousin out of the NHL and to Russia to play (he currently has 109pim and 6pts in 14 games). He has been hitting people from behind and getting away with it as much as Chris Pronger gets away with stomping on players (another reason why Chris Simon doesn't play in the NHL any more). However, my issue is with Chris Neil... When you want to spark some anger in your team you don't do it by taking a 10 minute misconduct. If Hollweg wants to be a gamer with you ... drop em. Sean Avery is a punk who goes after the under classed fighter ... don't be that guy Neil. Most importantly do NOT go offering to Hollweg to come cross check you in the back and expect the refs to giggle it off. Chirping is good to a point, but sometimes you need to clam up and shoot the puck or drop the damn gloves.

Checking is also part of the cowardice issue. The Senators are playing for their name on the back of their jerseys and not for the logo on the front. This is most evident when your top forwards go in to forecheck and don't bother laying the body. If the defence of the opposition can move the puck without thinking "jeez, is Spezza going to railroad me into the boards" there is something wrong. Stripping a player of a puck is awesome to watch, but on the forecheck it only works if there is support... otherwise, hit the damn guy in the opposite jersey!

That's all I can stomach to write. Hopefully I can start singing the praises of the team in the coming weeks instead of these pissed off criticisms.