Reporter calls out Auston Matthews in loss to Arizona
Howard Berger, best known for being absolutely eviscerated by former Leafs coach Ron Wilson in 2009, is still writing. Why that is, we'll never know, but he's put pen to paper once again after the Leafs' 5-4 OT loss to the Arizona Coyotes.
After scoring the goal that brought the Leafs within one before William Nylander sent the game to OT, Matthews was going for a loose puck along the boards in overtime. Coyotes' defenceman, Jacob Chychrun grabbed Matthews' stick and arm, holding Matthews back so that Matias Maccelli could swoop in and steal the puck. Chychrun would join Maccelli on a 2 on 1 and score the game winner on the play. Matthews was livid with the referee, and rightfully so, that's a penalty. Clear as day.
Berger starts by taking shots at the Toronto Star's Kevin McGran and Sportsnet's Luke Fox for being, in his view, biased for their reporting that the obvious penalty should have been called. Berger blames the goal on Matthews. It was his thought that Matthews should have stayed with Chychrun on the play, in his mind, Matthews quit on the play after being held up. He then went on to bemoan Matthews apparent lack of effort anywhere but around the net, calling him selfish and soft. He blames this «softness» for Matthews' perceived lack of playoff production. When Leafs fans rightfully slammed the article, Berger doubled down on his Twitter feed, showcasing a borderline unhealthy hatred for the Leafs best player.
Now, I'd like to see more physicality from Matthews sure, he's big, strong and capable of crushing opponents if he feels like it. To say that Matthews doesn't fight through fouls is an absolutely hilarious take though. Matthews is a monster on the cycle in the offensive zone. You don't dominate teams down low the way he does without skating through all kinds of infractions. Watching Matthews for even a couple of shifts is all it takes to see that.
As for the OT winner against Arizona, the hold by Chychrun, and Chychrun's leg pushing the back of Matthews leg puts Matthews off balance almost to the point of falling over backwards. Once Matthews regains his balance he immediately has to dodge the linesman to avoid running him over before he can even start accelerating back. By this time he's well behind the play and Chychrun, who Berger claims Matthews should have caught and covered, is on the other side of the ice. Matthews, at the end of a shift, had no hope of catching him. If anyone failed on the play it was Morgan Rielly, who was in a difficult position and failed to disrupt the pass across.
This is the best angle of it. The hold is easy to see, but watch Chychrun's leg get behind Matthews'. He didn't stop skating, or give up, and he was very nearly slewfooted.
Matthews is arguably the best player in the NHL right now. Leading the Rocket race, top 10 in the Art Ross race and in consideration for the Selke trophy. Putting an article out slamming his play of late is exactly the type of thing that Leafs' fans hate Toronto media for.
The article is linked below, I don't recommend clicking it. Unless you enjoy reading long winded delusions. Instead, here's Ron Wilson ripping Berger a new one in a post game press conference.
| POLL | ||
MARS 13 | 243 ANSWERS Reporter calls out Auston Matthews in loss to Arizona Was Matthews at fault for the loss against Arizona? | ||
| Yeah, he stopped skating | 53 | 21.8 % |
| No, he couldn�t have caught Chychrun | 190 | 78.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
