With just under 5 minutes to go in the first period, Reaves appeared to be poised to clear the defensive zone. Unfortunately, a well-timed pinch from Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei put just enough pressure on Reaves to make him cough up the puck, which wound up on the stick of ex-Leaf James van Riemsdyk.
Van Riemsdyk was all alone in the slot, and pressed back towards the Leafs goal, where Ilya Samsonov didn't appear to be set. All it took was one little juke from van Riemsdyk and Samsonov's 5-hole opened up like the parting of the Red Sea, allowing JVR to tuck it home.
Following the disappointing play, Reaves, watching it all unfold in front of him, could not believe the puck wound up in the net. He looked skyward before bringing his stick down hard on the ice to vent his frustration.
It's likely that Reaves was more upset with himself than anything else, but given the number of questionable goals Samsonov has allowed in this series, it wouldn't be a shocker to learn that Reaves was at least a little disappointed that the Leafs couldn't get a save there.
At any rate, the Leafs have some work to do now with the score 1-0 Bruins heading into the first intermission.
POLL | ||
27 AVRIL | 993 ANSWERS Ryan Reaves visibly upset over bad giveaway, poor play by Samsonov Do you think Ryan Reaves was more upset with himself or disappointed that Ilya Samsonov couldn't make a save on JVR? | ||
Definitely himself | 563 | 56.7 % |
He was probably cursing Samsonov in his head | 92 | 9.3 % |
Probably a little of both | 338 | 34 % |
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