Andersen pleads his innocence
Frederik Andersen can’t get his two grand in fines back from the NHL, but thought he’d explain himself anyway.
The Maple Leafs goalie was flagged this week for diving/embellishment, stemming from an incident in Vegas on New Year’s Eve, which followed a warning from the league when Jeff Skinner of the Hurricanes was penalized for bumping him on Nov. 24.
“I obviously didn’t try to dive in (Vegas),” Andersen said. “I got hit on the back of the skate and lost my balance. I know and understand it looked very bad, so I accept the fact you have to pay up. I just try to be strong on my feet. That’s pretty much all I have to say about that.”
On the Skinner call, which first put him on the league radar, Andersen said he’d only reached out to get a sense where Skinner was.
“That was a little different. I don’t think that one was as bad, but I think the nature of me initiating the contact, I have to be stronger. Again, I lost my balance and it didn’t help he got a penalty on it. It’s over, but it’s something I can learn from.”
The financial penalties can go as high as $5,000 for repeat offences and after four are assessed. The team coach is also fined. he couldn’t sleep over because he’d have to stay home and stickhandle. Little things like that sort of set him apart at a young age.”
Leafs’ coach Mike Babcock will put more emphasis on mental preparation in the schedule’s second half.
“Overall managing the game,” the coach said. “Understanding the score, time on the clock, which play needs to be made next to have success. That’s a big part of what we’re doing.
“I like that we get to practice here a little now (after a December spent mostly on the road). We’ll get our energy up and we should get skating better.”
Babcock’s mistrust of NHL stats was evident again when informed Leo Komarov played a season-high 24 minutes against the Sharks, owing to so much penalty killing duties. “I don’t believe for one second he played 24 minutes,” Babcock said. “I look at the math of the other guys and it doesn’t add up, but good for him. He’s a heavy guy, he forechecks, he gets the puck back.” ... Team Canada junior veteran Dermott was excited for the country to be back in the gold medal game, but said it would be tough to cheer against his Marlies teammate and good friend, Swedish defenceman Timothy Liljegren ... The game against Vancouver will be Toronto’s first at home on a Saturday night since Nov. 25. It was a date they used to own on the NHL schedule. They will finish with five Saturdays in a row during March and April. The Leafs are now 101-1 in games when Nazem Kadri scores.