He scores and scores and scores: Mitchell Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs extended his scoring streak to 18 games in Wednesday night’s 3-1 home win at the Scotiabank Arena against the San Jose Sharks.
The 25-year-old Canadian thus sets a franchise record.
With a penchant for drama: Marner sets a franchise record
Marner’s scoring streak was hanging by a thread. When the Sharks took their goalkeeper off the ice for an additional attacker a good two minutes before the end, things got even more dramatic: 1:24 minutes before the end, Marner aimed for the empty goal, but only hit the left outside post from the neutral zone. The end of his 17-game points streak? No! With 1:11 left, defender Alex Kerfoot put him in the spotlight again. Marner drove into the offensive zone and scored with a low shot to make it 3-1 (59th).
The Toronto forward extended his personal scoring streak to 18 games and equaled a Maple Leafs franchise record. Before him, Darryl Sittler (season 1977/78) and Eddie Olczyk (season 1989/90) had already succeeded.
“It was something very special. It meant a lot to me,” Marner said after the game. When his goal was announced by the announcer, the crowd at Scotiabank Arena gave a standing ovation. “My family was here, so it was a special moment,” said the 25-year-old Canadian, who was born in Markham, 25 kilometers north of Toronto. “They weren’t standing next to me, of course, but I’m sure they enjoyed that moment in the crowd and absorbed it just as much as I did. It’s also special because I grew up in this city and I’m a big fan of this team. That Now that my name is next to a lot of other incredible players is pretty special. I never expected it as a kid and now that it’s a reality it’s a cool moment. Of course, winning the game is even more important.”
Sittler couldn’t have been happier for Marner. He watched the game in the arena along with his son Ryan.
“I’m happy for Mitch,” Sittler said of setting his record. “Well done. He deserves it. He’s such a capable player. And he cares about this city, these fans and this team.
He does a lot for this community on and off the ice. He’s such a great boy.”
“Hey, when I played records weren’t monitored in the same way. A reporter could add up a few numbers from the game notes and then tell you that you did something special. There wasn’t nearly as much hype as there was with Mitch .”
In those 18 games, Marner has 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists). “We’re all so excited about him,” said teammate Auston Matthews. “Throughout his streak he’s been incredible, leading our team and fighting hard in every game. We’re all very happy for him. It took until the last minute and there were a few scary moments, but we’re glad he made it .”
In view of the drama in the final phase, the goalkeeper had to Ilya Samsonov laugh: “I was a little worried about his record. But Mitchell scored and answered all the questions. Let’s see how long his streak will last. We’re very happy for Mitchell, it was fun and it was an important win. “
Toronto marches in November – New line-mate for Marner
Previously, the Maple Leafs had to fend off a check (18:49 hits) and block (17:24 blocks) San Jose team, but recorded more shots in each period (32:24 overall) and took the lead twice: Matthews successfully deflected a shot from Mac Holloway to make it 1-0 (25′). The goal machine scored in three consecutive games and increased their hit account to twelve. Scored late in the third third Pierre Engvall the 2: 1 (58th).
Video: SJS@TOR: Engvall puts Toronto ahead late in the 3rd
The Maple Leafs are second in the Atlantic Division with a 15-5-5 record. After a rather mixed October (4-4-2), the Canadians followed up with a strong November (11-1-3).
“We’re in a good position and we feel good as a team. We have a lot of confidence and we’re where we should be,” said Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe. “If we had started better, we would have been even better in the table. Maybe we wouldn’t have had such a good November after this start. A lot can happen over 82 games. We’re happy with this month, but yes tomorrow the calendar will turn a page.”
After five wins in a row, the Maple Leafs continue with an away game at the Tampa Bay Lightning. There Marner can set a new franchise record with another scorer point.
However, he will probably play in a new formation because his row colleague Jarnkrok Street sustained a groin injury midway through the second period, disappeared into the dressing room and, according to Keefe, will be “out for a while”. Now it is a matter of finding a third striker for the solid duo around Marner and John Tavares to find.