TORONTO – With the Toronto Maple Leafs facing elimination against the Boston Bruins in Game 5 on Friday, hockey legend Darryl Sittler has a few words for Leafs Nation: just believe.
The Leafs trail the Bruins 3-1 in the series as they head to the TD Bank Garden in Boston for what could be the final Leafs game of the season. Sittler’s advice is to have faith and focus.
“You’ve got to believe you can still win,” said Sittler, NHL Hall of Fame player and Leafs alumni. “It’s no cliche, you’ve just got to believe. I know as a player things can change quickly. A goaltender can win a game for you, or a player can get hurt and change the momentum.”
Two notable injuries have already been announced ahead of Friday’s game – Leafs defenceman Matt Fraser will be sitting, as will Bruins defenceman Wade Redden.
Sittler knows what it’s like to be down in a series. He was part of the 1978 Leafs when they came back to beat the New York Islanders in Game 7 overtime on a Lanny McDonald goal.
Sittler said, in a playoff series, it’s important not to look past the game you’re playing.
“You don’t look at the long haul,” said Sittler. “No one thought we could beat the Islanders and we did. You’ve just got to keep going. Take it one game at a time.”
Although it may seem difficult, keeping a positive attitude when facing elimination can be the difference between going out in five games or winning in the seventh game says Lior Doron, a sports psychology coach based in Montreal.
“You can play with an injured shoulder, but you can’t play with a negative attitude,” said Doron. ” When you’re down 3-1 you have to look at the positives. Maybe there’s more pressure on the home team and it allows you to play in the moment.”
Doron’s advice is to recognize it’s a do-or-die situation, but not to dwell on it.
For the more theological Leafs fan, turning to divine intervention is another way of preparing for Friday’s game.
“Leafs fans are getting ready for tonight’s game by getting on their knees and praying,” said Father Frank Portelli, with the Toronto Archdiocese. “And hoping God hears the prayers of Leafs and not Bruins fans.”
Portelli has been a Leafs fan for 30 years and will be cheering on the team Friday night over Twitter.
His advice for Leafs fans it to approach the night with cautious optimism.
“It’s important to keep hope alive, but don’t bet everything on tonight’s game,” Portelli said. “Don’t leave yourself open to despair if something other than your plan comes to fruition.”
For more playoff action visit Globalnews.ca and visit our NHL Playoffs page.
Comments