The Monster returning to form, Leafs veterans return for win

Though Jonas G has backstopped the Leafs to many victories this season, the vast majority of them were helped by a barrage of Maple Leafs goals whenever Monster was in front of the twine. It didn't bode well for the playoffs, when things tighten up and leaky goalies start golfing.

Well, I will be the first to admit that I have not been a fan of Jonas Gustavsson ever since the two heart surgeries appeared to take away his confidence and vitality. Perhaps we can call this the "Jason Blake Syndrome" as JB never regained his scorer's touch / hunger for goals after he got hit with cancer, and it seemed top me that JG was at risk of never reverting to the form he displayed in his rookie year.

With The Monster scaring opponents, Rynnas needs to be moved soon

Okay... I sit corrected yet again. Jonas won last night's game for the Buds, and I am grateful for that, and am also grateful for the patience and trust shown in Jonas by Leafs management, as I would likely have moved him months ago. My belief is that the Leafs currently have at least 4 NHL-calibre goalies (Optimus, Monster, Scrivens, Owuya), with the potential for 5 to 6 if Rynnas and Sparks continue to improve. With Gustavsson clearly rounding into top form, the time to move Rynnas is fast approaching.

Owuya's promotion a key to Marlies' Calder Cup aspirations

Mark Owuya lead the Swedish elite league in save percentage last year, as a rookie! As of now, he has the best GAA and the second best save percentage in the entire American Hockey League however he just dropped off the chart as he only has ten games and there is now an 11 game minimum. Considering that he is statistically one of the top two goalies (the other is Cedric Desjardins) in the AHL, it is crucial for Mark Owuya's progress and value for him to be back in the AHL soon. He's an NHL goalie, so having him ride the buses in the ECHL may have been a good character-building exercise, yet now the Marlies can use his winning ways and he is showing every indication he and Scrivens can lead them to a Calder Cup.

Younger, faster Leafs to face Washington Capitals tonight

The Monster gets home start in Toronto net

With Lombardi and Grabovski each out for three to four weeks, and Mike Komisarek now sidelined indefinitely with a broken arm, tonight begins the testing of the Maple Leafs much-commended newfound depth. Joe Colborne has been called up from the Marlies, and Cody Franson is about to get some serious minutes.

If the Buds are to contend for Lord Stanley's gorgeous trophy, then both of these gentlemen should try and make it extremely difficult for management to take them out of the lineup, and a la Jake Gardiner, they can do that by playing hard at both ends of the ice, and winning.

Mark In Da Park is ready if Goose falters

For Jonas Gustavsson, this could be the beginning of the resurrection of his NHL career, or it could be his last hurrah. The second best goalie (after Ben Scrivens, not including Reimer until he is healthy again) in the system right now is Mark Owuya, and his AHL goals against average of 1.40 proves that Mark leading the elite Swedish league in save percentage last season was no fluke. Any faultering by The Monster and/or setbacks by Reimer could see Owuya getting a home start, where Scrivens has been erratic; Mark Owuya could be in the North American big leagues very soon.

GTA Leafs fans: Buy The Star today

Okay peeps, I know it is July 6th however I was as happy as a kid in a candy store when I saw a full page of Toronto Maple Leafs coverage (page S2) in today's Toronto Star. Alright, the bottom story is about Tomas Kaberle signing with the Hurricanes (4.5 mil a year for 3 years, great for Kabs!), but his elegant and intelligent departure from the Buds means he'll always be a Leaf (unlike Sundin whose exit was unnecessarily messy and unrewarding for Leafs Nation) in the heart of a true fan.


Clarke MacArthur, Tyler Bozak both re-sign with Toronto

Stories on new Swedish goalie Mark Owuya, on the MacArthur and Bozak signings, and an excellent piece by Kevin McGran on Gardiner's and Blacker's reactions to the trade for Cody Franson.

If you don't live in the Greater Toronto Area, you can read the stories online at The Toronto Star articles on Toronto Maple Leafs.

Leafs sign goalie / rapper Mark "Markindapark" Owuya

Markindapark joins colourful cats Optimus Reim, The Monster and Jiggy in Toronto nets

Swedish hockey player / rapper Mark Owuya's father is from Uganda and his mother is from Russia. Owuya is also known in Sweden for rapping on popular talent show Idol as "Mark In Da Park."

Please enjoy these photos and videos of new Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender signing Mark Owuya.



Mark Aloysius Opoya Owuya (born 18 July 1989) is a professional Swedish ice hockey goaltender, currently a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization of the National Hockey League, having been signed by Toronto on 28 April 2011.



Owuya began playing junior hockey with Djurgårdens IF in the 2005–06 season when he began playing with the U18 team. The following season Owuya played with both Djurgården's U18 and J20 team and also played most of the games with the Djurgården's J20 team in the 2007–08 season. While Stefan Ridderwall joined team Sweden for the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Owuya made his Elitserien debut on 3 January 2008, against Brynäs IF.






He was loaned out to Mälarhöjden/Bredängs IK during the 2007–08 winter, later was loaned out to Almtuna IS for the entire 2008–09 season. Owuya was also on loan during the 2009–10 season, first to Örebro HK and later Mora IK. In the 2010 pre-season, Owuya was moved up to Djurgården's senior team, to compete with goaltender Stefan Ridderwall to be the first choice in the goal.




Ultimately, Owuya played in 32 out of 55 games in the 2010–11 Elitserien season, with a 2.18 goals against average and league-best save percentage of .927. He also played in all of Djurgården's seven playoff games, with a 1.66 goals against average and .924.


























Peace!