Ondrej Kase criticizes his team's start in Vancouver, applauds the effort the rest of the way
It can be frustrating being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan some nights. On certain nights, the Leafs get outplayed when they should win. On other nights, they get outdone by a goaltender having one of the best games of their career. This night, however, is not one where the Leafs' effort was not there. In fact, according to Ondrej Kase's comments post-game, Toronto played really well, minus the lackluster start.
«We didn't start well.. we went down 2 goals, so we need to take this point, after that we played a good game,» Kase said following the 3-2 loss. The Leafs didn't start well. They were outplayed during the first period, but after that, it was their game... had it not been for Thatcher Demko. During the second and third periods of last night's game, the Leafs' outshot the Canucks 41-13.
Kase scored his 9th goal of the season in the second period to even the game up at 2 per side. Kase admitted it felt good to score his first goal in 12 games, but he emphasized that he would trade it for the 2 points if he could.
«I would trade the goal for two points, but I can't,» said the Czech winger.
Some nights the bounces just don't go your way. In the Leafs' case, they had gave up a pair of tough goals in the first. One on a controversial play that many thought might have been goalie interference and the other went in off of a body. Tough breaks. The one that the Leafs and Petr Mrazek in particular would like to have back is the deciding goal, where Mrazek gave up a juicy rebound right up the middle of the ice on the 3-2 goal in the second period.
«We played a pretty good game, over 50 shots, we scored 2 goals, so Hopefully, next time.»
The Leafs' look to get back in the win column tomorrow against the Kraken in their first ever trip to Seattle.
