I. Mannschaft » The Leafs had terrific special teams a year ago

PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida – Aaron Sanchez was so impressive on Friday afternoon against the Rays big league line-up, he had Tampa Bays hitters giving him props to catcher Dioner Navarro. "Theyve never seen him," said Navarro. "Theyve never faced him and they get this young, lanky, tall guy whos throwing cheese and hes got pretty good movement. I think his composure on the mound was pretty good, his demeanour was pretty good, his body language, everything around him was pretty good today." Sanchez played the role of top prospect, shutting out the Rays over five-and-a-third innings in Torontos 5-0 win. He allowed three hits, all singles, and walked three, but helped his cause be forcing three double-play balls. One each came off the bats of Evan Longoria and Wil Myers. Sanchez struck out two, his fastball was clocked consistently in the mid-90s and his patented curveball was sharp. "It was extremely impressive, theres no doubt about it," said pitching coach Pete Walker. "He came out throwing strikes. He was composed. Faced their line-up, Im sure close to their opening day line-up, faced all their big hitters and certainly handled them pretty well. Pounded the zone, got ahead of the hitters, didnt work from behind in the count, showed an explosive fastball and, like I said, a lot of poise and a lot of ground-ball outs." Watching Sanchez pitch on Saturday, its easy to fall in love with his stuff, his composure, and easy to forget about where he is in his career. The Blue Jays have taken great care, some would say too much care, since drafting him 34th-overall in 2010. Hes only 21, turns 22 on Canada Day, and hasnt thrown a pitch in pro ball above High-A Dunedin. Sanchez hasnt exceeded 100 innings in three pro seasons, although factoring in Arizona Fall League appearances, combined with his time in Dunedin, he tossed 109 2/3 last year. If the Blue Jays increase his innings load by 20 per cent this year, hed throw approximately 130. A 30 per cent increase and Sanchez would throw about 140 innings. He authored a 3.34 ERA in 22 appearances, 20 starts, for Dunedin in 2013. His strikeouts per nine innings dropped to 7.8, but that was by design. Hes worked to become a better ground ball pitcher, which was evidenced by the double play turns in Fridays game. Its tempting for a coaching staff that can see the future but knows another failed season likely means it wont be a part of it; a coaching staff which knows theres at least one glaring hole in the current composition of its starting rotation. "I guess it would be hard not to just from watching and laying eyes on him," said Walker of whether he thinks about Sanchez breaking camp. "But obviously we want to make sure hes ready when the time comes." Hes an affable young man, but also smart. Sanchez doesnt make much noise around the clubhouse; he knows his role as a young player. Hes the Blue Jays top pitching prospect but restricts the projection of swagger and confidence to his mound appearances. "Its good to get my feet wet," said Sanchez of his first big league camp. "Coming into camp, for me, it was to soak everything all in, learn from the veteran guys, just go out and have fun." "I think some of the intangible things that you try to look for in young players in an atmosphere that can be uncomfortable at times, you know, is he so reserved? Is he getting involved in the drills and some of the meetings? Hes handled himself very well and that says a lot about his character and who he is," said bench coach DeMarlo Hale, who served as manager on Friday. It remains to be seen whether Sanchez will throw again for the Blue Jays in spring training. Walker will sit down with manager John Gibbons and draw up a schedule. Sanchez likely starts his season at Double-A New Hampshire. A good showing there and its next stop, Buffalo. Or, maybe, Toronto. THE PIGGYBACK Theres been open musing in the press box about the idea of Dustin McGowan joining R.A. Dickey, Brandon Morrow, Mark Buehrle and Drew Hutchison in the starting rotation. Why not cap McGowan at four or five innings as he builds up arm strength and piggyback him with one of two long relievers, either Esmil Rogers or Todd Redmond? "Still trying to sort through it," said pitching coach Pete Walker when presented with the idea. "Obviously, theres still some time left in spring training. Guys are going to get the ball; get their opportunities to stand out right now. Obviously, Dustin looked great yesterday and Sanchez looked great today and the other guys, Redmond and Rogers, have thrown the ball well. Obviously, wed like to see [J.A.] Happ pitch well on the 25th and well continue to take a look at how it works out." Walker didnt have the opportunity to speak to McGowan before leaving for Port Charlotte, but said reports are the 31-year-old "felt fine" after throwing three scoreless innings against the Phillies on Thursday. TUIASOSOPOS NUMBERS General manager Alex Anthopoulos ist shy about scouring the waiver wire for players. On Thursday, he picked up Matt Tuiasosopo from the Diamondbacks. "Played well for the Tigers last year and we had good reports on him," said Anthopoulos in a statement. "He gives us a right-handed bat that gives us positional versatility. Obviously, there isnt a lot of time left but hell come in and compete for a spot." Time is of the essence and Tuiasosopo is going to need more of it than usual to join the ballclub. He was in Australia, where the Diamondbacks are opening their regular season with two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Its difficult to see, on the surface, where Tuiasosopo fits in. Hes a right-handed bat who got off to a strong start with the Tigers last season, hitting six of his seven home runs before the All-Star break, including four in a personal five-game span between June 18 and July 11. He can play the corner outfield positions, first base and third base in a pinch. "Youre talking about, maybe, from the right side where there could be an option there," said bench coach DeMarlo Hale. Tuiasosopo hasnt proven he can hit left-handers at the big league level. In 194 at-bats against lefties, Tuiasosopo has hit .196/.287/.345 with eight home runs. Against right-handers, his slash line is .221/.287/.368. Over his major league career, Tuiasosopo has struck out in 31.7 per cent of his big league at-bats. By comparison, while acknowledging the sample size is small, Moises Sierra hits left-handers at a .267/.327/.478 clip with four home runs. "Decisions havent been made, Im sure of that," said Hale. "I cant speak for Alex and Gibby, but it becomes added depth and well see what hes got over these next four or five days left of spring training.” Like Sierra, Tuiasosopo is out of options, meaning he would first have to pass through waivers before being assigned to the minor leagues. If the Blue Jays go with an eight-man bullpen to start the season, carrying both is out of the question. The back-up catcher, likely Erik Kratz, and Maicer Izturis must be accounted for, which leaves only one additional roster spot. Ottawa Senators Jerseys .com) - Ames, IA (SportsNetwork. Matt Duchene Jersey . - Jordan Addesis shootout goal helped the Plymouth Whalers to a 3-2 win over the Sault Ste. http://www.authenticsenatorspro.com/Chris-tierney-senators-jersey/ . Boston is making its first appearance in the ALCS since 2008. For Detroit, its a third straight trip to the ALCS and its fourth in eight years. Mikkel Boedker Jersey .com) - The Vancouver Canucks recovered from a fluke goal early last time out to knock off one of the top teams in the league. Jean-Gabriel Pageau Jersey . -- EJ Manuel followed the worst game of his career with the best.TORONTO – The Maple Leafs came from behind to win in each of their first three games this season. They were not able to complete such a feat once more with the Avalanche and their youthful swagger in town on Tuesday night. Rushing hard to the crease of Jonathan Bernier in the opening minutes of the third and final frame, P.A. Parenteau tapped in the eventual game-winner, keeping Colorado perfect while dealing the Leafs their first loss of the season. "We just got behind and we werent able to bang that one in to tie it," Tyler Bozak said after the game, which saw his team outshot 33-28. "Were 3-1," he continued of the Leafs record after four games. "Were not too upset. Its a good start to the season. I dont think many [in the media] wouldve called us having that record to start the year." While they managed 11 goals in the opening three games, the Leafs lacked sustenance and punch in their offensive attack on this night, Joffrey Lupul the lone man in blue to beat Semyon Varlomov. Rarely did the previously unbeaten home side sustain pressure down low in the offensive zone, a consistent assault off the rush additionally inconsistent. "We were held in our own zone from their aggressiveness," Randy Carlyle observed afterward. "We didnt seem to be able to handle it, specifically in the second period." Phil Kessel managed the lone shot in the opening eight and a half minutes of that middle frame. The Leafs finished the period with just seven to 15 for the Avalanche. Guided by new head coach and Hall of Fame netminder Patrick Roy, Colorado has stormed out of the gate this season. "Theyre a really good team," Bozak said of the Avalanche, who improved to 3-0-0. "Theyre a lot different than what they were last year. "Theyre all buying in, theyve got a ton of skill up front, [and] theyre a hard team to play against." The Leafs had perhaps their best opportunity to even the score midway through the final frame, with Cory Sarich – who scored the first Avalanche goal – called off for tripping. Though they maintained possession through much of the man advantage, they could not ultimately beat Varlamov, who owns a .967 save percentage in three starts this season. Sturdy once more in his first home start of the season, Jonathan Bernier made 31 saves. Due to injuries, family matters and the ongoing suspension to David Clarkson, the Leafs were short four regulars in their forward group on Tuesday night, essentially leaning on just two lines for offence. Carlyle refused to point the finger in that direction though after the game though. "Youre going to have to deal with adversity throughout the course of the season," he said. "To me they can be built-in excuses and were not going there with this hockey club." Fortunate, in some regard, to scratch together victories in each of their first three games this season, the Leafs couldnt overcome what adversity they faced on Tuesday night, and were thus dealt their first loss this season. Five Points 1. Lacking punch with regulars out Clarkson sat out the fourth game of his 10-game suspension, Nik Kulemin (ankle) and Frazer McLaren (finger) remained out with injuries and Jay McClement was with his wife Tuesday for the birth of their first child, a baby boy. The result was a group short on much depth offensively. Beyond Nazem Kadri in fact, the remaining five forwards on the Leafs bottom two lines Tuesday had combined for exactly 21 career NHL goals. It was no surprise then that Carlyle would shorten his bench considerably in the final period with his team down a goal. PLAYER 3rd Pd Ice Time Colton Orr 2:35 Carter Ashton 2:35 Jamie Devane 1:24 Trevor Smith 1:25 Troy Bodie 1:16 2. Sturdy once more Bernier stopped all but two from the Avalanche, a second-period marker from Sarich the lone one of question. "He made a good shot, but thats definitely a save that Ive gotta make," Bernier said afterward. "Its a routine save. Thats a goal that I want to take back." Sarich burst downn from the right point, surprising Bernier with a shot, the puck sailing rapidly over his glove and just under the bar.dddddddddddd "There was a guy back-door so I was expecting more pass than a shot like this, but, like I said, thats a save Ive got to make for my team and try to keep them as long as possible in the game." Competing for the No. 1 position, he and James Reimer have rotated the first four games of the season, with the Predators up next on the docket Thursday night. Where Carlyle leans next will be curious. Bernier holds a 7-1-0 career mark against Nashville with a 1.88 goals against average and .932 save percentage. "Hes given us a chance to win every time hes been in there and been spectacular at some points," Lupul noted of Bernier, who has a .963 save percentage so far this season. "We cant ask anything more of him." 3. Speed adjustment Paul Ranger is predictably requiring some time to shake off four years worth of rust. The 29-year-old defender left the Lightning in the fall of 2009, finally returning to the NHL this season with the Leafs. Of his re-adjustment to the league, Ranger said the greatest challenge was catching back up to the speed. "I think thats probably the biggest thing," he observed before Tuesdays game. Spending last season in the AHL with the Marlies, Ranger explained that the challenge lied in the ability to read and anticipate plays at the high speeds of the games top level. One such example of that recent adjustment saw him holding the puck on the offensive blue-line with intentions of firing it through to the net. "Its a split-second [decision] in real time," he said, "but to me it seems like I have a little bit more time to really get the puck through versus before when Id get the puck Id look up and thered be a guy right in front of me already. So you just learn to move quicker." In perhaps a fitting instance of his re-adjustment, Ranger was beaten to a puck in the neutral zone by Jamie McGinn early in the third period, McGinn storming wide and beyond Ranger before feeding Parenteau for the eventual game-winner. 4. Special Teams One of the more crucial elements of the Leafs success in 2013, strong special teams will remain high on the agenda of Carlyle this season. "Our goal is to have our special teams try to be in the top 10 per cent of the league," he said. "Thats what your goal is every year. You try to make sure youre amongst the elite in the league with both specialty teams because it definitely does improve your chances of having success if youre able to accomplish that. And its not an easy feat. Theres good teams, good players that play in those situations and good coaches that devise schemes so its an ongoing battle." The Leafs had terrific special teams a year ago, boasting the leagues second-best penalty kill and 14th ranked power-play unit. While still early, both units have remained strong through the first four games this season though the power-play came up empty in two opportunities on Tuesday night. 5. Long-time fan makes debut Trevor Smith was born in Ottawa and spent much of his childhood in Vancouver, but grew up a Leafs fan, even sporting a personalized Toronto sweater as a kid. He made his debut with the club against the Avalanche on Tuesday, totaling about five minutes on a fourth line with Jamie Devane and Troy Bodie. "Its awesome," he said of the opportunity to play for the Leafs before the game. "To put that jersey on for the first time in the regular season, itll be a true honour." Stat-Pack 27-67 or 40 per cent – Leafs on the draw against the Avalanche. 14 – Shot attempts for Phil Kessel. 31 – Shifts for Cody Franson, leading the team. 5 – Leafs with fewer than 10 minutes of ice-time. 20:03 – Ice-time for Jake Gardiner. 5 – Points for Joffrey Lupul through four games to lead the team. 34.5 – Average shot attempts for Toronto opponents so far this season. 13:00 – Ice-time for Nazem Kadri. Special Teams Capsule PP: 0-2 PK: 3-3 Quote of the Night "To me they can be built-in excuses and were not going there with this hockey club." -Randy Carlyle on missing a number of regulars on Tuesday night. Up Next The Leafs visit Seth Jones, Shea Weber and the Predators in Music City on Thursday night. 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