Due to salary cap constraints, the Leafs were forced to sign U of T goaltender Jett Alexander to an Amateur try-out just to have a backup available. With the Leafs up 7-1 with a minute left to play, the Buds decided to make a late goalie change, giving Alexander his first taste of NHL action, even though the Leafs didn't surrender a shot to the Habs with him in the net. When the final horn blew, everyone was happy and felt good about it - except, of course, for the Habs and their fans.
Habs defender Chris Wideman was clearly upset after the game. Angry with the Leafs for, let me check my notes, letting a college goaltender live out a life-long dream. He had this to say in the locker room, inferring that they'll suffer the same fate that they did last year to the Bolts when all is said and done in round 1.
What exactly do the Leafs deserve? I would assume any karma coming in from allowing Alexander to play in a runaway game would be positive. Wideman didn't elaborate. I'm sure he'd have loved to throw in a comment centering around a first round exit. Unfortunately, those are awfully hard to pull off when your team has sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic faster than the Titanic, and doesn't appear to be resurfacing any time soon.
I have several suggestions for Mr. Wideman - first and foremost being to sit down and shut up. You lost to a better team. Fill your diaper over it, why don't you? Second, if you didn't want to see the Leafs play a college goaltender on a one game ATO in the last minute of the game, you should have played better. Had the game been anywhere near close, Samsonov would have stayed in. Instead, the Leafs felt comfortable enough with their 6 goal lead to create a special moment for a kid who is hoping to one day make it, despite having all of the odds stacked against him.
Wideman seems to take playing in the NHL for granted, a nothing game at the end of the season may not mean much for him, but for Jett Alexander, it was a moment he'll never forget. It's all about perspective. This is nothing but sour grapes coming from a salty, seething, sore loser. After the last 2 seasons in Montreal, you'd think their players would be used to losing. At the very least, you'd think they'd learn how to lose with dignity.
POLL | ||
AVRIL 9 | 477 ANSWERS Canadiens defenseman takes a shot at Leafs and Jett Alexander after Habs' embarrassing 7-1 loss How awesome was that moment for Jett Alexander? | ||
He got to live my dream | 248 | 52 % |
They shouldn't embarrass opponents | 17 | 3.6 % |
Feel-good story | 209 | 43.8 % |
I'm a Habs fan and hate fun | 3 | 0.6 % |
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