Baby Leafs leave Rock with a win

[Madferret]

The Maple Leafs will play their final regular season game in St. John's on Saturday. They are moving to Toronto after this season.

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP)

The Edmonton Roadrunners showed no quit Friday, despite the fact they'll be on the outside looking in when the AHL playoffs begin. The St. John's Maple Leafs squandered a three-goal lead to a plucky Roadrunners team before earning a 5-4 shootout win before 5,572 fans at the team's second-last regular season game at Mile One Stadium. David Ling scored on the Leafs' first shot in the second round of sudden-death shootout. The Roadrunners have a league-high 11 shootout losses this season.

Matt Stajan scored a pair of goals for the Leafs in regulation. Ling and Nathan Barrett added singles. Eric Beaudoin had two goals for Edmonton, while Kyle Brodziak and Jordan Little also scored. "After we got up 3-0, for whatever reason we didn't stick to our game plan," Ling said. "But give Edmonton credit. They played like they're in the playoff race. It would have been easy for them to fold up."

The Maple Leafs will play their final regular season game in St. John's on Saturday. They are moving to Toronto after this season. It didn't take long for the Leafs to get on the scoreboard in the first period when Ling intercepted an Edmonton clearing attempt and blew a hard shot past Jeff Deslauriers for his 27th on the year 1:31 into the game.

Barrett finished off a two-on-one play with Stajan less than four minutes later when his shot found the inside corner of the post to put the Leafs up 2-0. Stajan kept the Leaf assault going at the 11:26 mark when he used rookie Luke Fulghum as a decoy, fooling Deslauriers with a shot that slipped through the Edmonton goalie's legs. Fulghum was making his first pro start after winning an NCAA championship with the University of Denver this season.

Beaudoin finally got the Roadrunners on the scoreboard 31 seconds after the Stajan goal, redirecting a Jeff Woywitka shot past Jean-Sebastien Aubin on the Roadrunners' third shot on goal. A different Roadrunners team hit the ice to start the second period, dominating play through 20 minutes as Edmonton outshot St. John's 25-6. But the visitors could manage only one goal as Beaudoin scored his second on the night and ninth on the year at 12:46.

Stajan restored the Leafs two-goal lead at 10:44 of the third period, redirecting a Barrett pass past Deslauriers as the Leafs enjoyed the man advantage. But the Roadrunners rebounded 20 seconds later when Brodziak raced down the right wing and beat Aubin through the legs.

Little tied it just under three minutes after the Broadziak goal, jumping on a big rebound to beat Aubin high to the glove side for his first pro goal.The Roadrunners went into overtime outshooting the Leafs 34-13 through the second and third periods.

"We've got to keep in mind that we have to play a full 60 minutes when the playoffs start," Ling said. "If we let up for even a minute, it's 1-0 and that could be game over. We have to play tough every shift."

[Newfie John]

Made a post in the trash talk, I'll post it here too.

Last night I attended the final regular season game ever for the St. Johns Maple Leafs. It was pretty emotional. Of course, Leaf ownership shows no class as not one leaf representive came out to give a speech, or to say thank you. Nothing. I just couldn't believe it. Granted, if they did they would have gotten their heads booed off of them, but still, the least they could do is just come to St. John's for a night, say thank you afterall we supported you for 14 years with a miserable franchise truth be told. Just goes to show that leaf ownership doesn't give a rats ass about the loyal people of Newfoundland who stuck with this team through thick and thin.

That was the only thing that soured me that night. The leafs handed the Roadrunners yet another loss, Wellwood with 2 goals. Tellqvist was amazing with 33 saves. At the end of the game I looked up in the pressbox and there was Brian Rogers going crazy with his leaf jersey in his hands. Carlo Colaiocovo puts up his thumb to him and the crowd gave the leafs a standing ovation. The leafs wore their retro jerseys. Kyle Wellwood talked to the fans thanking them for the support, as did Colaiocovo and Tellqvist.

It was quite a night, no thanks to MLSE. I hope that team fails in Toronto, just for the simple fact that MLSE deserves it. It would be nice for them to come crawling back but I know they wouldn't do it protecting their image. The fog devils are coming but, its just not the leafs. I was told that I would probably be brought to tears, I brushed them off and told them they were foolish, but last night I was just overwhelmed and it just sucks to have the team snatched away for petty reasons.

[Newfie John]

Record night on the Rock
Leafs 4 runners 1
Post 46th win, seal home-ice advantage

KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER

ST. JOHN'S, NFLD. - A celebration of 14 years of pro hockey turned into a celebration for a win record and home-ice advantage in the first round for the St. John's Maple Leafs.

In their last regular-season game in Newfoundland, the Baby Leafs set a mark for wins in a season with their 46th last night, a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Road Runners which also clinched second place in the North Division of the American Hockey League.

And because of a scheduling conflict at the Mile One Stadium, Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) against the Manitoba Moose will be played at the Air Canada Centre. Should those be the last games in Baby Leafs history ? the team moves to Toronto next season as the Marlies ? it would be a bitter end to a long run of the AHL team in St. John's, which decided to leave only because the Road Runners vacated the Ricoh Coliseum after last season.

The Baby Leafs wore commemorative sweaters for the game and the players liked them so much that after the team gave them to fans as part of a promotion, they asked for them back for the playoff run and the fans happily complied.

"I'm proud of what this team has accomplished," said coach Doug Shedden. "They worked hard to get where they are and they deserve to feel good about themselves."

The Baby Leafs were 4-3-1 against the Moose this season and enter the playoffs evenly matched against the Vancouver Canucks' farm team. But Baby Leaf coach Doug Shedden sees clinching home ice and the chance to play in Toronto as a huge advantage.

"No question it helps us," Shedden said. "We get to use the Leafs dressing room and people like (video coach) Reid Mitchell are there to help us out. And a lot of our guys are from around Toronto so they'll be excited to be there."

Kyle Wellwood, who has rocketed up the Leafs' prospect list, led St. John's to victory with a two-goal effort to give him a team-leading 38 on the season.

There is little doubt Wellwood is now a better player than he was when he became a pro last season. He scored 87 points this season and has developed into a much better two-way player. Once thought to be too slow and too small to play in the NHL, Wellwood has given himself a far better chance.

Another small player, defenceman Ian White, was a steady force for the Baby Leafs in his first year and was named rookie of the year.

[Leafs_Pam]

Here's another article for you, John.

http://www.sjmapleleafs.ca/schedule/gr80.asp

Sunday, April 17, 2005

A fitting finish

BY ROBIN SHORT Telegram Sports Editor

The St. John?s Maple Leafs believe the traditional blue and white sweaters will bring good luck starting Wednesday night when the American Hockey League?s Calder Cup playoffs get under way, but it appears they already have a Swedish lucky charm in the form of goaltender Mikael Tellqvist, who?s rounding into post season form at just the right time.

The Leafs literally took the shirts off their back following their franchise-record 46th win Saturday night before a full house of 6,247 at Mile One Stadium, on hand to witness the final regular season game in the team?s 14-year history.

But the lucky fans selected by draw to win the retro sweaters worn Saturday that were patterned after their 1991-92 season didn?t have their booty very long. That?s because the Leafs wanted to keep the jerseys, with the promise each fan receives the sweaters, complete with autograph, after the season.

Considering the play of Tellqvist, the Leafs could wear hand-me-downs.

Tellqvist made 30 saves in a first-star performance as the Leafs downed the Edmonton Roadrunners 4-1 to secure second place in the North Division and home ice advantage in the playoffs.

The Leafs and third-place Manitoba Moose meet in the opening round of the playoffs at Mile One. But while the Leafs have home ice advantage, Games 6 and 7, if necessary, will be played at Toronto?s Air Canada Centre due to a trade show scheduled for Mile One Stadium.

?I was hoping for a win tonight for the fans and for the City of St. John?s and, of course, for the team as well,? Tellqvist said. ?We got that franchise record and that?s huge for us.?

Kyle Wellwood sparked the winners with two goals, finishing the year with a team-high 38. David Ling had a goal and two assists giving him 88 points, tops on the team. Clarke Wilm also scored for St. John?s.

Sean McAslan replied for the Roadrunners.

Tellqvist, who entered the game with a 2.69 goals against average, finished the year with a 24-16-4 record. After taking a breather for two games this week as Jean-Sebastien Aubin shook off some rust, Tellqvist returned to the nets and looked calm and confident last night.

?I thought he was real solid in there, real controlled,? coach Doug Shedden said. ?It looked like he was going to be unbeatable. It was a great shot that beat him. Other than that, he was solid.?

Tellqvist?s start Wednesday will be his first post-season appearance since the 2001-02 season when he played for the Leafs.

And it?s one he?s looking forward to.

?That?s the reason why you practice and work hard in the summer,? he said. ?You want to win something. You want to go to the playoffs and win something. We can go far.?

As most pundits know, playoff goaltending is critical to a team?s success. And if there?s a knock against the Leafs entering the Manitoba series, it?s Tellqvist?s lack of playoff experience in North America.

Before coming to St. John?s, however, Toronto?s perceived goalie of the future won a pair of championships with Djurgardens of the Swedish Elite league. In the spring of 2001, Tellqvist replaced former NHLer Tommy Soderstrom as a 21-year-old and led Djurgardens to a title.

?I have playoff experience back home,? he said. ?I?ve played big games before, in the world championship and stuff like that. I?m going to take it like any other game.

?This is everybody?s time to shine because there?s no NHL. All eyes are going to be on us and I?m looking forward to it.?

?There?s no concern there,? Shedden said. ?None at all.

?This guy has played in World Cups and world championships. He?s seen that kind of pressure before.

?I hope he really grabs hold of this opportunity. This is where it counts now. He?s not a workhorse goalie like Ryan Miller (the AHL?s best goalie from the Rochester Americans), but now it?s his chance to put himself on that stage where everybody?s talked about him, how highly regarded he is. It?s his chance to prove it.?

Goals by Wellwood and Wilm 16 seconds apart in the third period last night broke a 1-1 tie, giving the Leafs the win.

Like Friday?s 5-4 shootout win for the Leafs, St. John?s got on the scoreboard early Saturday when Wellwood?s weak shot surprised Tyler Moss, beating the Roadrunners goalie through the legs 1:52 into the game.

But unlike Friday?s tilt, there were no more goals in the opening period.

McAslan drew the Roadrunners even at 15:23 of the second period, wiring a hard shot over Tellqvist?s glove seconds after Moss foiled Ling on a nice scoring chance.

But St. John?s took the lead late in the second when Wellwood beat Moss in the slot and Wilm scored 16 seconds later, using Nathan Perrott as a decoy on a two-on-one play to fool Moss.

Ling scored an empty-net goal with 13 seconds left in the game.

[Newfie John]

I hope there is some TV coverage for the away playoff games for St. Johns. I think the leafs can really go far, maybe even a title.

[Leafs_Pam]

Made a post in the trash talk, I'll post it here too.

John, I've made comments here and there in Threads on my forum, but I had 2 separate posts dedicated to this move. I really feel bad for all of you, but with St. John's being the only AHL team left in the Maritimes, it was only a matter of time before the Leafs moved the Baby Leafs out of St. John's. Still, it wasn't fair. You guys built a new Arena when requested by the Leafs and then they do this to you a couple of years later. It stinks that none of the Toronto Leafs Management didn't show up for this last game. Here are a couple of my recent comments about the move:


March 17, 2005 We all knew it was coming, but I still feel bad for the Maritime Leafs fans who have been supporting the St. John's Leafs for the last 14 years. I imagine this is going to be very hard on them. I feel bad for all of them.

I had planned on someday flying to St. John's on a vacation during hockey season so I could see both St. John's and the Leafs. Now I won't ever be able to do that. :(


April 15, 2005 I still feel bad for St. John's. I can understand their anger. I'm just glad they decided to put aside their anger to say the proper goodbye to their team.


John, I know how I would feel if my team was moved away from me. I understand your anger towards the Leafs. It was a terrible blow. A few years ago, I had my 'day of anger' at the Leafs. It lasted half the season before I could come to terms with it. It's not going to be the same for any of you, but I hope that eventually you can come to terms with this like I did with my anger.

[Leafs_Pam]

I hope there is some TV coverage for the away playoff games for St. Johns. I think the leafs can really go far, maybe even a title.

I hope they do win the Calder Cup. Having the team yanked away from you, that would be a nice final tribute to St. John's. Hopefully they will have the Away Games on TV for you. It wouldn't be right not to televise them.

[KB in Kelowna]

I hope there is some TV coverage for the away playoff games for St. Johns. I think the leafs can really go far, maybe even a title.
seems like a natural for Sportsnet, who did some AHL all Canadian matchups earlier this year..Especailly since the NBA season is winding down they should be looking for contnet or is the World Celebrity Texas Holdum Poker tourny more important? :confused:

[Madferret]

Honest Leaf Fans (http://www.tmlfans.ca/forums/index.php?topic=37436.0)

[Newfie John]

Honest Leaf Fans (http://www.tmlfans.ca/forums/index.php?topic=37436.0)

I'm convinced that when the novelty of a new team wears off(1-3 years) the Marlies are going to crash and burn.

[Madferret]

A few years ago, I had my 'day of anger' at the Leafs. It lasted half the season before I could come to terms with it. It's not going to be the same for any of you, but I hope that eventually you can come to terms with this like I did with my anger.

If I may ask Pam what your day of anger was sparked by?

[Leafs_Pam]

If I may ask Pam what your day of anger was sparked by?
6 words. Felix Potvin Curtis Joseph Leafs Management :mad:

[Rusty]

As much as I loved Felix, it was his time to move on, one only has to look at his record since he left MLG.

[lapniappe]

How can you wish that a team crashes and burns because of the Managment? We've talked about this before NJ, and I KNOW you are upset, but to wish the team to fail, just because the managment will suffer, isn't going to do anyone any good at all. It won't bring the team back to St Johns either.

I don't know why the management didn't do a speech. but correct me if i am wrong, is there not two seperate management groups. MLSE who owns the Baby Leafs, and then the St. Johns group? I'm sure that the st john's managment teams have minds of their own, and if they wanted to make a speech, they could have.

One reason why they couldn't be there, very well could be because of all the board of general meetings that are happening.

i can't speak for the 6 million people in toronto, but considering that it's been said, over, and OVER again, that Toronto lives only for Leaf hockey, i think that the FARM team for the LEAFS will garner decent numbers, or they WOULDN'T move them here. The few teams that do have their farm teams in the same city as their big club all have great numbers.

I am pumped that they are coming here - i will probably not go to a game, i can't afford it, i can barely afford groceries, but i know scores of people anticipating to buy their season tickets.

[The Insider]

Here is the #1 reason why the team won't fail in the GTA this time like it did before:

Location, Location, Location.

The team is in the heart of the downtown core and is accesible by the highways and public transportation. Last time they were out in Newmarket and I can tell you that it wasn't worth the grueling trip for people. Now they have all roads leading towards the rink and might I add a brand new arena with corporate boxes and I believe(not sure) parking accesible as well. I think the team is going to thrive now and if they can get more $$$ brought into MLSE it only means good things for the franchise. Plus with the other teams closer by, the 3 week road trips end and a more accesible schedule is created.

[Leafs_Pam]

How can you wish that a team crashes and burns because of the Managment?
It wasn't the team I wanted to hurt. It was Management I wanted to hurt. If you read the post carefully you will see I said "by mid-season I came to terms with it". I was only mad for 3 month. It's like the Cujo thing. You know how many Leafs fans hate Cujo (not me though. I was only disgusted with him for a short time) now for the way he left the Leafs. The Felix thing was like that.

[Newfie John]

How can you wish that a team crashes and burns because of the Managment? We've talked about this before NJ, and I KNOW you are upset, but to wish the team to fail, just because the managment will suffer, isn't going to do anyone any good at all. It won't bring the team back to St Johns either.

I know that, but leaf management deserves it. Plain and Simple. The way they've handled this process is nothing short of disgusting. No one from Leaf management at the final game to say thanks, moved the team out for no apparent reason. Travel? It's not even as big a deal as people make it out to be. Its one 2 hour flight extra per road trip when you compare St. Johns to Halifax. On every road trip St. Johns make they go to Toronto first, then to whatever their desination is. It's not a huge problem, just one small flight for every road trip. Thats just blown way out of proportion and for the sake of maybe 10 extra flights, not a reason to move a team from a city who has supported it adequately. Adequately is the wrong word, amazingly is better.


I'm currently listening to game 1 of the AHL Playoffs. Long time leaf announcer Brian Rogers just showed yet another gutless and stupid action by MLSE. Apparently the Marlies have already opened up their website. Uh.. excuse me Mr. Tannenbaum or Mr. Peddie, but would you mind waiting until the team is actually out of St. John's before you call them the Marlies. Not to mention, the Marlies website contains a bunch of articles written up by none other Brian Rogers and he is nothing short of pissed off that he wasn't notified that his work is involved with the Marlies as he's just as disgusted as I am that the leafs are leaving. How can MLSE have the augdasity(sp?) to use his work(he's a newfoundlander) to promote the Marlies, the same Marlies who he's intensely against.

How about taking two excellent games against the Binghamton Senators away from the St. Johns city in an effort to promote their new "Marlies" team. Can we please have our team for the whole year please Mr. Peddie sir? Afterall it is the last year they are here since you're snatching them away from us for unnecessary reasons.

Here's yet another one. It is very well documented that MLSE was intending to take the playoffs and move all home leaf games to Toronto. Now thank god they didn't do that but just the fact that was in their heads is rediculous.

Here's another one. MLSE said they were going to move the team out of St. Johns a few years ago also because they thought Memorial Stadium wasn't adequate.(It was, still is in great shape, too bad they may turn it into a grocery store). Anyway, the taxpayers of Newfoundland paid for Mile One Stadium. So, up goes Mile One and just a few years later, with Mile One standing their on MLSE's demand, decide to move the team out anyway, leaving St. Johns with the debt left on the multi-million dollar building. Thats class.

There are a lot more that are escaping me at the moment.

I don't know why the management didn't do a speech. but correct me if i am wrong, is there not two seperate management groups. MLSE who owns the Baby Leafs, and then the St. Johns group? I'm sure that the st john's managment teams have minds of their own, and if they wanted to make a speech, they could have.

SJSE does not own the St. Johns Maple Leafs. They are a division of St. John's City Council who own Mile One Stadium, that building that MLSE made us build and then dumped us with the debt. Anyway, if SJSE made a speech, it probably would have been to the same effect of what my tone is like now.

It is inexcusable and disgusting that they couldn't at least come and say thank you after all we did for them and after all they did to us. Pretty much screwing us and leaving us in disgust. But no, they know what they're doing is cowardly and they continue their cowardly ways and don't bother to do anything. Thanks a lot.

One reason why they couldn't be there, very well could be because of all the board of general meetings that are happening.

The final game was last Saturday. The board of Governors meeting was today. I think they had time. Even if they had scheduling reasons on Saturday, which is a stretch, they could have gone to another game during the season. Any of the other 39 games would have done... or were they too busy for all those games too. Quite the coincedence.

i can't speak for the 6 million people in toronto, but considering that it's been said, over, and OVER again, that Toronto lives only for Leaf hockey, i think that the FARM team for the LEAFS will garner decent numbers, or they WOULDN'T move them here. The few teams that do have their farm teams in the same city as their big club all have great numbers.

The other places are not Toronto. They only go for Leaf hockey and thats it. When they had a team in Newmarket is one example, the Majors is another. Once the novelty wears off, the Marlies probably will crash and burn. Don't say this lame excuse that Newmarket was just bad location. I live one hour away from St. John's and getting downtown and whatnot will slap on another half hour. I go to as many leaf games as I can, I went to around 25-30 this year. I know a ton of people just like me since I meet people when I go to a stadium. I've met people from where I live, as far away as Gander who show up regularly, and even guys from St. Anthony who go to about 10 games a year. You can take a look at a map to see how far away those places are.

If Toronto people aren't willing to do that, just goes to show that the team should have stayed in Newfoundland.

I am pumped that they are coming here - i will probably not go to a game, i can't afford it, i can barely afford groceries, but i know scores of people anticipating to buy their season tickets.

I've looked at many fan forums and primary leaf fan forums. In all those experiences I've seen one person say they will get season tickets. Do you think your friends will continue to go even when the novelty wears off? If they do, they're in the minority, IMO.

[Leafs_Pam]

As much as I loved Felix, it was his time to move on, one only has to look at his record since he left MLG.
Rusty, you know me with Felix. You know I always come to his defense. So....I guess you knew this was coming. :laughing: I have one very big fault. I am 100% loyal to my favorite ex-Leafs. I will defend them to the death. And as long as they don't play against the Leafs, I root my heart out for them. (Rusty, please don't hit me too hard!! ;) :) )

Felix seemed to be a 2nd half 'on fire goalie.'

The Islanders were a terrible team in 98/99, so that isn't a proper place to judge him.

When he went to the Canucks, he saved their butts the 2nd half (which is basically when he started with them). 1st half of the next season (the first 1st half he was with them) he was the usual of not that good, but if they had been patient with him, he would have been on fire for them in the 2nd half. They traded him to LA instead.

LA at the Trade Deadline in 2001 was on the path of destruction. There was no way they could reach the playoffs. Enter Felix. It was totally due to Felix turning the Kings around that they made the 2001 Playoffs.

In January 2003, Felix was playing injured. The Kings were in San Jose in January 2003, with Felix already injured. He shouldn't have even been playing. They used Felix in net injured. He was further injured in that game in San Jose and lost for the remainder of the season. The owner was so mad about not making the playoffs that he decided to get rid of most of the team. That can't be blamed on Felix either.

Last year in Boston doesn't count because he ended up being the backup. The only real thermometer for Felix since the Leafs is his stint in LA. The rest really isn't an accurate thermometer.

I'm not saying Felix is a Stanley Cup goalie because I don't think he is, but he wasn't as bad as a lot of fans keep saying either.

[Newfie John]

It wasn't the team I wanted to hurt. It was Management I wanted to hurt. If you read the post carefully you will see I said "by mid-season I came to terms with it". I was only mad for 3 month. It's like the Cujo thing. You know how many Leafs fans hate Cujo (not me though. I was only disgusted with him for a short time) now for the way he left the Leafs. The Felix thing was like that.

I'm the same way, Lapdog. I don't want the players to suffer, I want the management to suffer with the team failing, simply because MLSE deserve it. The players did nothing wrong.

[Leafs_Pam]

Here is the #1 reason why the team won't fail in the GTA this time like it did before:

Location, Location, Location.

The team is in the heart of the downtown core and is accesible by the highways and public transportation. Last time they were out in Newmarket and I can tell you that it wasn't worth the grueling trip for people. Now they have all roads leading towards the rink and might I add a brand new arena with corporate boxes and I believe(not sure) parking accesible as well. I think the team is going to thrive now and if they can get more $$$ brought into MLSE it only means good things for the franchise. Plus with the other teams closer by, the 3 week road trips end and a more accesible schedule is created.
Even though I haven't been to the Arena, I've seen it as I've gone down the QEW to the Leafs games. Hopefully someday I'll be able to get back to Toronto so I can see both the Leafs and Marlies. I haven't been able to travel to Ontario since the Leafs/Wings Exhibition Game at Copps Coliseum in Sep 2002. That's the last time I saw Alyn McCauley as a Leaf. (I took a picture of him during Pre Game and he autographed it for me in San Jose in 2003 after he was traded to the Sharks. :D )

[Leafs_Pam]

I'm the same way, Lapdog. I don't want the players to suffer, I want the management to suffer with the team failing, simply because MLSE deserve it. The players did nothing wrong.

John, I read both your posts. Every since it was announced they were pulling the Baby Leafs out of St. John's I have been saying it was unfair. I've been receiving the St. John's Leafs Insider email messages every since they first started. I knew about your Arena, and I knew MLSE demanded you build a new Arena. I have said how unfair it was of them to demand you build a new arena and then pull them out. I've never lost a team but close to it. It's sort of like you have to be in that situation to understand it. It's really hard to comprehend the loss of your team if you haven't, or never will be, in the situation St. John's is in. My heart goes out to all of you. I think Rusty will remember I've said this before about St. John's.


This is the Marlies Website that John was talking about: http://www.torontomarlies.com/

and this is their first partnership: http://www.torontomarlies.com/NewsDetail.tm?newsid=465

[Leafs_Pam]

From my St. John's Leafs Insider:

http://www.sjmapleleafs.ca/News/pressreleases/pr87.asp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 19, 2005

St. John's Maple Leafs announce 2004-05 Year end Award Winners

The St. John?s Maple Leafs announced today the club?s Year End Award Winners for the 2004-05 season. http://www.sjmapleleafs.ca/Fanzone/images/aliantfanchoice.jpg
This year?s edition of the St. John?s Maple Leafs Year End Awards had 9 players sharing 11 separate awards.

Here are the winners for the 2004-05 season as selected by the St. John?s Maple Leafs with the help of their Fans and the Local Media:

OVERALL MOLSON CUP WINNER: Kyle Wellwood
PEPSI MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Kyle Wellwood

NTV/OZFM LEADING SCORER: David Ling

THE TELEGRAM BEST DEFENCEMAN Marc Moro

ROGERS CABLE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Ian White

ALIANT SPORTSMANSHIP & DEDICATION: Ben Ondrus

MOLSON CANADIAN PLUS/MINUS: Ian White

MOLSON CUP RUNNER-UP: Mikael Tellqvist

BROOKFIELD DAIRY GROUP COMMUNITY SERVICE: Regan Kelly, Brendan Bell

ALIANT FAN CHOICE: David Ling

GRUB CLUB HARDEST WORKING PLAYER: Clarke Wilm


LEAF NOTES
St. John?s finished the season in 2nd place in the North Division with a 46-28-1-5 record (98PTS). The 98PTS is the second best total in franchise history. These totals ranked the club 4th in the conference and 9th overall.
The team finished the season on a 3 game winning streak and a 6-2-0-1 record in April. The team had a winning record in 5 of 7 months this year.
The Maple Leafs set a team record for wins in a season with 46. As well, the Maple Leafs set a franchise record for most wins at home in a season with 28.
This is the 12th time in 14 seasons that the team has recorded 30 or more wins and 3rd time the team has recorded 40 or more wins.
The club finished with the 7th best powerplay in the AHL (17.3%) and was the 5th highest scoring team in the League with 244 goals (3.05 goals per game).
The Maple Leafs tied two franchise records on December 30, 2004 in a 5-3 win over Syracuse. The team tied records for allowing the most shots on net for a game (66) and in one period (29).
The club?s longest winning streak was 6 games from March 2 to March 15.
Right-winger David Ling led the Maple Leafs in scoring with 88 points (28G,60A), setting career highs in points and assists.
Center Kyle Wellwood led the team in scoring with 38 goals.
Maple Leafs center Kyle Wellwood made his second straight appearance at an AHL All-Star Game on February 14, 2005 in Manchester, NH.
Rookie Ian White led all Maple Leafs with a +12 rating.
Goaltender Mikael Tellqvist set a career high with 24 wins in a season. It was the first time since 2000-01 that a Maple Leafs goaltender has won 20 games in a season. Tellqvist finished the season 2nd in All-Time Franchise Wins with 58.
Center Kyle Wellwood set a franchise record with five goals in a single game October 30, 2004 vs Cleveland.
Goaltender Jean Sebastien Aubin set a franchise record with 66 saves in a single game. The Maple Leafs defeated the Syracuse Crunch December 30, 2004 by a score of 5-3.
The St. John?s Maple Leafs had 9 players with 15 or more goals this season (Wellwood-38, Ling-28, Stajan-23, Kwiatkowski-20, Druken-18, Barrett-17, Leeb-16, Perrott-16, Williams-16) and 13 players with 20 or more points in a season.
The Maple Leafs had eight players with 100 or more penalty minutes in a season (Perrott-276, Moro-202, MacDonald-152, Ling-152, Wilm-145, Ondrus-137, Harrison-108, Newbury-103).

A number of Maple Leafs are among the AHL League Leaders:

Points: David Ling (3rd-w/eighty-eight), Kyle Wellwood (4th -87)
Goals: Wellwood (4th-w/eighty-eight)
Assists: Ling (4th-60)
Shooting %: Kyle Wellwood (3rd-20.7%)
Shootout Goals: David Ling (1st-10)
Defencemen Scoring: Joel Kwiatkowski (10th-45)
Defencemen Goals: Joel Kwiatkowski (1st-20)
Rookie Scoring: Jeremy Williams (13th-36)
Rookie Goals: Jeremey Williams (8th-16)



Seven St. John?s Maple Leaf players made their debuts this season and recorded either their first professional goal or first goal as a Maple Leaf.

First Pro Goal:

Jeremy Williams: October 23, 2004 - 4-1 Win @ Syracuse
Matt Hubbauer November 6, 2004 - 4-3 vs Edmonton
Ian White December 30, 2004 - 5-3 vs Syracuse
Colin Murphy April 1, 2005 - 2-1 @ Hamilton


First Goal as a Maple Leaf:

Brett Engelhardt February 4, 2005 - 3-2 Win vs Hamilton
Tyler Beechey March 4, 2005 ? 4-3 Win vs Hershey
Dominic D?Amour March 11, 2005 - 3-2 Win @ Edmonton

[The Rover]

This is right out of your "Record Night on The Rock" post....

The team moves to Toronto next season as the Marlies ? it would be a bitter end to a long run of the AHL team in St. John's, which decided to leave only because the Road Runners vacated the Ricoh Coliseum after last season."

So technically the Leafs stayed as long as there were teams in the same hemisphere.

How old is Mile One Stadium?

The Newmarket Saints moved imo due to poor attendance which reflected their record as well as the parent club's record, which both sucked--it was the 1980's. Losing hockey doesn't sell, apparantly not even in hockey crazed markets. I was a season ticket holder for the C.B. Oilers, then they won the Calder Cup, had excellent attendance year in year out, and were moved by the parent club, btw, the GM was Andrews.

[The Rover]

6 words. Felix Potvin Curtis Joseph Leafs Management :mad:

I don't mince words as much as Pam, I shorten it to Curtis Joseph...(spit). :mad:

[Newfie John]

This is right out of your "Record Night on The Rock" post....

The team moves to Toronto next season as the Marlies ? it would be a bitter end to a long run of the AHL team in St. John's, which decided to leave only because the Road Runners vacated the Ricoh Coliseum after last season."

So technically the Leafs stayed as long as there were teams in the same hemisphere.

How old is Mile One Stadium?

The Newmarket Saints moved imo due to poor attendance which reflected their record as well as the parent club's record, which both sucked--it was the 1980's. Losing hockey doesn't sell, apparantly not even in hockey crazed markets. I was a season ticket holder for the C.B. Oilers, then they won the Calder Cup, had excellent attendance year in year out, and were moved by the parent club, btw, the GM was Andrews.

Despite the losing team in Toronto, the losing Toronto Maple Leafs still packed the gardens. Just as the losing St. Johns Maple Leafs packed Memorial Stadium/Mile One Stadium.

[The Rover]

Seriously John, why should the Leafs stay in Newfoundland? Because taxpayers built an arena? There surely were other conditions that applied to the deal, perhaps along the lines of attendance (which was good), or maybe even the fact that if other franchises move then the Leafs could hold the option to leave as well. I doubt the Leafs just upped and moved to screw the people of St. John's for kicks. Maybe they just got a better deal in Toronto, it is afterall a business. I'm not sticking up for MLSE due to loyalty, merely because it seems that people will look for anything to take issue with in regards to the Leafs. That said, when are we going to start ripping into the other parent teams that moved their franchises out of markets that were supported and winning? Didn't the Flames organization win the AHL crown just a couple of seasons ago and then pitched their tent elsewhere? Rusty pointed out how many teams have packed up and left, which brings me back to my original question: Why should the Leafs stay?

[Rusty]

I forgot to mention that the Habs were in Fredericton for several years.

It's their ball, they can take it elsewhere if they so desire.

[Newfie John]

Seriously John, why should the Leafs stay in Newfoundland? Because taxpayers built an arena? There surely were other conditions that applied to the deal, perhaps along the lines of attendance (which was good), or maybe even the fact that if other franchises move then the Leafs could hold the option to leave as well. I doubt the Leafs just upped and moved to screw the people of St. John's for kicks. Maybe they just got a better deal in Toronto, it is afterall a business. I'm not sticking up for MLSE due to loyalty, merely because it seems that people will look for anything to take issue with in regards to the Leafs. That said, when are we going to start ripping into the other parent teams that moved their franchises out of markets that were supported and winning? Didn't the Flames organization win the AHL crown just a couple of seasons ago and then pitched their tent elsewhere? Rusty pointed out how many teams have packed up and left, which brings me back to my original question: Why should the Leafs stay?

Why should they leave? I know your answer already. Travel. I've already eluded to this in another post. St. John's would have to make one extra flight per road trip. My guess is that there are about 10 different road trips, could be more, could be less I dont know. The Leafs just fly to Toronto(hour and a half flight) and go to their destination from there. For the sake of 10 extra flights, is it really worth moving the successful team, the most succesful AHL franchise financially(according to the AHL president)? No, it isn't. Which is why it doesn't make any sense to me. Also, a reason I'm mad about this is the matter they handled it which I don't have to say again and you dont acknowledge it anyway.

What could be another reason. Closeness to the big team? When has a call up ever been late or not show up for a big leaf game? In the 14 year history I can't think of one, I looked it up, nothing. So thats out.

I'm completely at a loss for why they moved the team out so abruptly without warning after a brand new stadium built for them. When the new stadium was built there was pretty much no other maritime teams, if any, so that couldn't have been a claue in the deal.

Once again, I can't believe they just couldn't come and say thanks after all that happened. Just inexcusable and classless.

[The Rover]

Speaking of not acknowledging anyway.....I asked how old the Mile One Stadium is.

You know, there isn't just the matter of the Leafs travel, they do play home games you know, and perhaps it is better for the rest that they are not that far east anymore.

Also, since 9/11, there isn't any easy travel.

[Thorty_Fan_4_Life]

Mile One is in it's 4th year. So it's a new building. I'm so sick of arguing with people over why they are moving the team, MLSE talks about Player development.....Travel.....yada yada yada. It's BS.

One reason Torontos ahl franchise was moved out of onatrio was for player development, Being so close to the Big team and in such a big place, concentrating on hockey wasn't the major priority, now they turn that around and say they are moving them back for player development.

Travel- Ok so they have to make an extra flight, thats not what it's about, MLSE said the tole the travel takes on the guys is tough, Yeah it i, I won't try to argue and say it's not, but ask some of the old players from here about their travel, it wasn't easy then " The travel can take a tole, but wer'e built for it, and if your not then you shouldn't be playing the game " shawn thornton. What about when these guys played in the OHL or WHL do they forget the travel they did in their junior years.

It all comes down to the almighty $$$$ they think they can do better in toronto. maybe they can maybe they can't only time will tell. IMO they won't alot of it right now is plain hype, People have debated this because of the 12.000 they got into the ACC when the Leafs were their earlier this year. close to 6000 of those were given away, runners season ticket holders from last years, marketing, Toronto season ticket holders. If there was an NHL this year they never would of got those kind of numbers.

The marlies will have some of the highest priced tickets in the AHL $49 being their most expensive. How many people are going to pay $49 a game for an AHL team? not many people can.

All in all only time will really tell, I just personally think the way MLSE has gone about taking this team has been really bad, everyone talks business but MLSE has showed no kind of business courtesy so to speak. The marlies practice day, marketing them as the marlies, now talking about having the marlies logo on the ice for the two playoff games at the ACC

Oh and someone mentioned the Marlies web-site, MLSE will be in for a shock when they realize they can legally be sued for that web-site right now. Parts of that web-site were pretty much taken from the St.John's web-site, Brain Rogers has parts on their that in now on the marlies web-site. All of this has been copywrighted. He had no knowledge that they were using it. and was never asked, he pretty much flipped out when he found out they were bold enough to put up the marlies web-site already.

[Newfie John]

Speaking of not acknowledging anyway.....I asked how old the Mile One Stadium is.

You know, there isn't just the matter of the Leafs travel, they do play home games you know, and perhaps it is better for the rest that they are not that far east anymore.

Also, since 9/11, there isn't any easy travel.

Thorty answered that question for you.

So, now you think the leafs are trying to accomodate for other teams travel also? Nice bunch that MLSE.

[The Rover]

I hope it's St.John's vs Alberta in the Western Final. The furthest eastern city is in the western conference, no, no need to discuss travel.

[TimmyTabasco]

I worked in a restaurant, in St.Johns..the place was always packed after the games

Every open restaurant..bars..whatever would be packed after the games, and the leafs brought alot of revenue to the city

Without the AHL team, the city will see a big drop. Lets hope the new team sees as much action

[Newfie John]

I hope it's St.John's vs Alberta in the Western Final. The furthest eastern city is in the western conference, no, no need to discuss travel.

Why would you hope that will happen? Thats just a stupid alignment in the AHL. Kind of like the way Detroit is in the NHL. Like I said earlier, its just one extra flight per road trip, hardly a reason to move the team out.

[Newfie John]

I worked in a restaurant, in St.Johns..the place was always packed after the games

Every open restaurant..bars..whatever would be packed after the games, and the leafs brought alot of revenue to the city

Without the AHL team, the city will see a big drop. Lets hope the new team sees as much action

I hope so too. I mean MLSE left us with that debt on Mile One, a lot of businesses downtown could suffer, the overall economy is going to take a hit. This going along with the crab quota controversy, its going to be a rough year economically for NL.