Auston Matthews Rescued from Embarrassing Situation by Leafs Teammate Jake McCabe
The second period started on the wrong foot for Leafs captain Auston Matthews as he needed help from Jake McCabe to make it to the bench after an equipment malfunction.
The Maple Leafs were in Detroit to take on the Red Wings in the first half of a back-to-back this weekend. Unfortunately, for captain Auston Matthews, his team didn't just lose, he was also caught on camera struggling to get to the bench, needing some assistance from a teammate in the second.
Matthews' first shift of the second period, with the Leafs trailing 1-0, was an adventurous one to say the least. While back-checking on Vladimir Tarasenko, Matthews went to reach for the puck when Tarasenko stopped up and tried to make a pass between Matthews' feet. Unfortunately for Matthews, the puck hit his skate blade and knocked it out, sending him sprawling on the fresh ice and crashing into the boards.
Without a blade, Matthews needed the assistance of Jake McCabe, who dragged him up to the Leafs' blueline before giving him a push towards the bench. The momentum sent Matthews spinning in circles to the bench before his teammates grabbed him.
Post-game, Matthews admitted he knew he had lost his blade, but had no idea what to do to get back to the bench.
Thanks to a quiet change from CCM to Bauer skates Matthews stood on the bench as a trainer popped in a pair of new blades for the former first-overall pick and he didn't miss a shift.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 15 | 1431 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Rescued from Embarrassing Situation by Leafs Teammate Jake McCabe Have you ever lost a skate blade during play before? | ||
| Yes, it's a struggle | 258 | 18 % |
| No, and I don't want it to happen | 1173 | 82 % |
| List of polls | ||
