Leafs G Petr Mrazek sounds off after finally getting a win
He needed that in the worst way.
It's been a whirlwind week for Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Petr Mrazek, who found himself on the waiver wire, went unclaimed, and was promptly back in the crease at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night.
Only, unlike his last several games, this one had a happier ending.
Mrazek stopped 20 New Jersey Devils shots, earning his first win since March 7 and backstopping his team to a 3-2 win. And needless to say, Mrazek knew that he needed it.
"That's how hockey is," Mrazek said. "Things turn around quick."
"Two points, it feels good. Always important," he added. "I felt really comfortable. I felt I was in the game all game, focusing on the things I can control, and that's the reason we won."
With a goals against average north of five in his last several starts, it was imperative for Mrazek to have a good showing, especially with the Stanley Cup Playoffs right around the corner.
I thought he looked really good," said head coach Sheldon Keefe. "I thought he looked calm and confident. Tough game. You only get a few shots in the first period — not a lot of work. A couple of the shots he got were tough saves there. And then, all of a sudden, in the second period, things turned. There were a lot more really good looks for him. I thought he looked really good. I thought it was a great step for him.He looked calm, confident. A great step for him."
It looks like Mrazek earned himself another start for Saturday night when the Leafs take on their historic Original 6 rival Montreal Canadiens in downtown Montreal.
