Toronto-Tampa Bay: Game 1 Review

TORONTO - "You'd think that with all the technology we have today that we'd be able to see if a stick was higher than a crossbar." 

These were the words of GM Ron Dubin after Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in regards to Mike Hoffman's controverial game winning goal in the 3rd period.  "It was clearly above the crossbar.  Everybody in the ACC (Air Canada Centre) could see it, it's obvious that when the referee went to the league's war room, that the war room was against us because they let it stand."  Dubin roared.  "Its apparent that the league is genuinely worried that our team is too good for the rest of the league.  Our 12 game winning streak only proves this!  They are tilting the ice in our opponents favour to make it seem like they have a chance with these bulls**t decisions."  GM Dubin tiptoed around fines as he did not critisize the referees directly in the game, but did lash out towards the team that does the video review back in the league war room in New York.  The league has not commented on the matter.

Mike Hoffman beat Leafs goalie Corey Crawford at 1:31 of the 3rd period on a high deflection from a rising shot by Lightning center Tyler Bozak.  Hoffman's stick was around crossbar height to knock the puck into the net and the referees went to the phones to determine if it was a legal goal.  Boos showered down in the ACC when the decision was announced and the goal held up to be the game winner as the Leafs made it close in the end on a goal by Matt Calvert.

Controlling the play most of the night, the Leafs outshot the Lightning 39-32 and hemmed Tampa Bay in their own zone for numerous stretches.  Toronto nearly tied it with a wonderful chance by David Krejci in close, but goalie Tuuka Rask got his toe on the puck to keep it out.  Nazem Kadri and Mike Cammalleri scored the other goals for the Lightning and PA Parenteau scored for the Maple Leafs. 

GM Dubin promised that the Leafs would come out firing in Game 2 to show the league brass that the Leafs are no pushover.  We'll see on Thursday in Toronto.