Reimer and Maple Leafs grit out a victory

Hallelujah! Optimus James Reimer was stellar in the nets tonight, stopping 43 of 44 shots and leading the Buds to a 2-1 Stanley Cup playoffs win against the Bruins in Boston. Both teams head to the Air Canada Centre for Game Six on Sunday evening.

Tyler Bozak scored an unassisted shorthanded goal in the 2nd period, his first-ever NHL playoffs tally, and Clarke MacArthur added his own unassisted marker in the 3rd period.

Today marked the 43rd anniversary of Bobby Orr's Cup-winning goal in 1970, pictured above.

Reimer skates with Canucks, NHL expanding to Quebec and Toronto

Hockey-related news item #1 - Reimer skates with Canucks

According to sources, James Reimer working out with the Canucks players happened because he was visiting relatives in town and wanted to skate, and not because he is being traded for Roberto Luongo. Methinks that although that may be the case, it is also true that Vancouver would want Reimer as part of the Luongo deal, so who knows what's really going on here?


Hockey-related news item #2 - NHL expansion


Proposed new GTA Centre in Markham, just north of Toronto

The spec now is that after the new CBA is done, new NHL teams will be announced for Quebec City and Toronto (Markham). The expansion fee could be in the $380 million range, and Markham would have to pay an additional territorial fee to the Toronto Maple Leafs to allow a team within 50km of Toronto city limits. Though that hurdle sounds difficult, the talk is that the fee ($120 million?) for accessing the Toronto market has already been established and agreed upon, as one of the conditions of allowing Rogers and Bell to buy MLSE.

"King James" Reimer shuts down Isles 2-1 to keep Leafs in playoff hunt

Kessel pots game winner as Maple Leafs stay hot

Young "King James" Reimer was outstanding again tonight in another goaltender duel, this time with the New York Islanders Montoya. Phil Kessel proved to be the knight in shining armor, scoring the game winner in the third period on a wicked wrist shot after carrying the puck 2/3 of the ice.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are now 7-2-2 in their last 11 with hot scorers and a strong and steady goalie. At post time Leafs are 6 points back of carolina, as they've just ended the 3rd period tied with the Rangers 3-3, thus earning at least a point.

Go Rangers!