Ilya Samsonov reacts to Matt Murray passing the championship belt on to Zach Aston-Reese following his shutout win
On Tuesday night, following a sensational outing and a 44-save shutout, Matt Murray was awarded the Leafs' championship belt for performer of the night. Just two nights later, after a 29-save shutout of his own, it was almost expected that Murray would pass the belt to his tandem partner in Ilya Samsonov. However, Murray, who also chose to award the belt to David Kampf earlier this season, chose once again to honour one of the team's unsung heroes, passing the belt to Zach Aston-Reese.
Samsonov has a great sense of humour. He's shown it on a number of occasions in this young season already and Leafs Nation is really grown to appreciate his unique personality. Following the passing of the belt from Murray to ZAR, Samsonov was asked whether or not he felt that the belt should have gone to him. His response was great.
"It's not for me to get. I waiting, waiting I will play better for belt."
-Samsonov, with a smirk on his face, on being passed over for the belt
-Samsonov, with a smirk on his face, on being passed over for the belt
With how well Samsonov has played this season, he's bound to win the belt sooner or later. His 1.87 GAA and .933 SV% are right up there with the best in the league this season. He's currently 2nd in the league in both categories. His 8-2-0 record is also nothing to scoff at either.
So, while Murray is quickly endearing himself to the "lunch pail" guys on the team - the guys who don't get enough credit on a night-to-night basis, Samsonov's time for the belt will come and it likely won't be a very long wait with the way he's been playing.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 259 ANSWERS Ilya Samsonov reacts to Matt Murray passing the championship belt on to Zach Aston-Reese following his shutout win Should Murray have given the belt to Samsonov? | ||
| Yes | 119 | 45.9 % |
| No, ZAR was a good choice | 124 | 47.9 % |
| Should have gone to Marner or Nylander | 16 | 6.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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