We’ve had a bit of everything this evening in Game 1 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Big goals, big saves, big hits and… surprise, surprise… a cheap shot from Leafs forward Michael Bunting.
Bunting earned himself a major penalty and a game misconduct for this elbow on Lightning defender Erik Cernak when the Leafs were down and out in the 2nd period:
The Lightning would go on to run over the Leafs in a chippy affair, putting 7 goals past them for an easy 7-3 victory.
The Leafs struggled to remain disciplined and took several ill advised penalties, which was honestly to be expected given the fact that Wes McCauley officiated the game. McCauley and Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe have a very long, very personal history that has provided some fireworks on the big stage. Tonight, it resulted in a big loss for the Leafs… or at least that’s the way Leafs captain John Tavares sees it.
After the game Tavares appeared to blame the officiating for the result, saying essentially that the Lightning get the benefit of the doubt over the Leafs from the officials.
Check it out:
Come on, Johnny…