Luke Schenn was the last belt-holder and is not currently with the team; Leafs had to get creative to crown new champion
After a disappointing defeat at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs had to enter the belly of the beast in New Jersey as they went toe-to-toe with a Devils team that was actually ranked higher than them - something that hasn't been said all too much this season.
It was a tough start to the game and Maple Leafs head coach, Sheldon Keefe, acknowledged that several times during the post-game presser. He applauded goaltender, Ilya Samsonov, for his efforts during the first 20 minutes that kept the Leafs in the game as he stopped all 15 shots fired his way.
Samsonov's gutsy effort in goal preserved the 0-0 tie heading into the second period, where both teams shared a goal before the Leafs edged the Devils late in the 3rd period with 2 late goals - 1:57 apart with less than 5 minutes remaining. Samsonov ended the game with 30 saves on 33 shots and praise from his head coach and the entire team.
In doing so, the post-game championship belt was handed to the goaltender specifically because of his first 20 minutes. He was given the honours from William Nylander, who was given the belt from a Leafs trainer, who had first gotten it from Luke Schenn before the team left Vancouver. After their game against the Canucks, Schenn stayed back in Vancouver alongside his wife to be there for the birth of his child.
The Leafs don't play again until Saturday. It's already been confirmed that Matt Murray will get the nod against the Edmonton Oilers, so Samsonov might have to wait until Monday night against the Buffalo Sabres to build on his "gutsy" performance against the Devils that earned him his 23rd win of the season. He will, however, still get to pass the belt off to a teammate of his choosing if the Buds pull off the win at home.
