The race for the Isobel Cup is on — PHF Playoff Preview

The race for the Isobel Cup is on — PHF Playoff Preview

The teams of the Premier Hockey Federation, the PHF, are already in, or are making their way to, Tampa Bay, FL for the Isobel Cup playoffs. All six teams make the playoffs, so everyone, including our Toronto Six, are going to be there.
It’s been an intense and exciting 20-game season, and the march for the Isobel Cup playoffs are the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication to this growing league.
Did you know? The Isobel Cup is actually shorthand for the Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Cup. Similar to how the Stanley Cup is actually shorthand for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Even better? Lady Isobel and Lord Stanley were father and daughter.
Schedule
The action begins today, with the quarterfinal matchups being played. Here’s how the weekend’s activities will go:
Friday, March 25th4:00PM ET, Boston Pride (3) vs. Buffalo Beauts (6)
7:30PM ET, Metropolitan Riveters (4) vs. Minnesota Whitecaps (5)
Sunday, March 27th
1:00pm ET, Connecticut Whale (1) vs. [Lowest ranked QF winner]
4:30pm ET, Toronto Six (2) vs. [Highest ranked QF winner]
Monday, March 28th
9:00pm ET, Isobel Cup Final game between Sunday’s winners
Preview
The Six had a very strong season, but were edged out of first place in the league when Connecticut took 4 points of a possible 6 in the double-header between the teams who were tied going into the weekend. They’re positioned to do very well regardless.
The science says that bye-weeks in the playoffs are beneficial, at least in other sports. So perhaps the Six and the Whale gain an extra ad …

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Author: Ryan Hobart / The Leafs Nation

WATCH: Reviewing Justin Bieber and the Maple Leafs’ Next Gen jersey

As you may already know, the Maple Leafs teamed up with Justin Bieber to create their latest Next Gen jersey.
Earlier on Wednesday, I took a trip to Real Sports Apparel to pick up the jersey and see if the hype was really worth it. Spoiler: it is.
In today’s video, I review the Bieber/Maple Leafs collaboration, look at all the little things the jersey brings, and tell you whether or not you should buy it.
I hope you enjoy the video!

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

Should the Raptors be worried about OG Anunoby’s injury history?

Should the Raptors be worried about OG Anunoby’s injury history?

OG Anunoby and the Toronto Raptors were already struggling to get their feet under them in the second half due to some concerning losses, and things got even worse when yet another injury took a chunk out of this rotation. After missing time earlier in the year with a hip injury, Anunoby was knocked out […]
Should the Raptors be worried about OG Anunoby’s injury history? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

3 Raptors who must step up after OG Anunoby finger injury

3 Raptors who must step up after OG Anunoby finger injury

The Toronto Raptors are already feeling the sting of losing OG Anunoby for an extended period. His two-way skill has been sorely missed, as teams like the Hawks and Hornets blew this squad out of the water after returning from the All-Star break. Things went from bad to worse on Thursday night. Not only was […]
3 Raptors who must step up after OG Anunoby finger injury – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Celtics Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 28

Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Celtics Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 28

The Toronto Raptors have already taken on the Boston Celtics twice in the 2021-22 season, and both meetings have resulted in one side getting blown out. Despite Toronto’s poor West Coast trip, the latest Raptors odds are suggesting that they could be in for a victory in this contest. The first time these two teams […]
Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Celtics Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 28 – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Toronto Raptors Quarter-Season Awards: Which players stood out?

Toronto Raptors Quarter-Season Awards: Which players stood out?

Hard to believe we’re already 20 games into the 2021-22 NBA season. Even harder to believe that Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, and this Toronto Raptors team have already experienced such a vast array of successes, failures, and momentum changes. The Raptors went from a playoff afterthought to one of the hottest teams in the league […]
Toronto Raptors Quarter-Season Awards: Which players stood out? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Avishai Sol / Raptors HQ

News and Notes: The Leafs sign an EBUG, Holl out Liljegren in, Mrazek won’t be out long-term

So the 2021-22 season is not even a week old yet and the Leafs are already in full chaos mode with all of the news circulating this morning in regards to the lineup and the status of some injured players.
We begin with the biggest story of them all, which is the Leafs being short on cash and resorting to unique methods to get around that problem.

The #leafs don’t have the cap space to call up a goaltender to take Petr Mrazek’s spot behind Jack Campbell tonight. They will likely sign U of T goalie Alex Bishop to an amateur tryout to back up Campbell.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 16, 2021

What, David Ayres was not available?
Jokes aside, this must be huge for Alex Bishop who has posted decent numbers during his time in the QMJHL and USports. He is in his senior year at the University of Toronto so this will surely be a moment he will never forget. He will most likely sit on the bench for the entire game, but it wouldn’t shock me if Sheldon Keefe were to do him a solid and let him play the final few minutes depending on how things go …

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Author: Michael Mazzei / The Leafs Nation

The NHL releases some key dates for next season/summer

Tonight is the second game of the preseason, and already the NHL is dumping some trade deadline, draft, and free agency news on us…

Key dates from the NHL’s 2021-22 calendar:
March 21: Trade deadlineMay 2: First day of Stanley Cup PlayoffsJune 30: Last possible day of Stanley Cup PlayoffsJuly 1: First buyout period opensJuly 7-8: NHL draftJuly 12: First buyout period endsJuly 13: Free agency opens
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 27, 2021

Those are certainly some important dates to remember, and even with the Olympic break the NHL seems to be moving up their schedule a couple of weeks compared to last season.
The March 21st trade deadline comes just one week (three games) after the Leafs outdoor game in Hamilton against the Sabres, and mercifully falls in the middle of three days off for the Leafs meaning plenty of time to make trades without worrying about players not being available for their next game and we might not see players held out for precautionary reasons. I’m the Leafs front office appreciates this scheduling.
The Leafs play 20 games after the trade deadline this season, so renting a player doesn’t seem like the colossal waste of resources like it’s been the past two seasons. Still, …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

3 Toronto Maple Leafs that need to bounce back next season

The 2021-22 NHL season is already almost here, and for Toronto Maple Leafs fans, they don’t know whether to be excited about yet another season or to be worried that another season is upon us and we might see the same movie for the sixth year in a row. Despite the Maple Leafs collapsing in the first round yet again, it was definitely a regular season to be proud of, but them losing in the first round again does make their regular season meaningless at this point.
However, it was a season filled with great moments and a season filled with some stressful  moments, and for some players, in particular, they will be looking to bounce back next season after having not the strongest of seasons during the 2020-21 campaign. These three individuals all have specific skills that will allow them to bounce back, it’s just a matter of if they can apply it next season and show us they are capable of bouncing back to help lead this team to greater things.
 
1. Justin Holl – 29 years old – RD
2020-21 stats – 55 GP – 2 G – 18 A – 20 PTS – 21:04 TOI
Contract – $2M x 3 years – signed through the 2022-23 season
This pick shouldn’t …

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Author: Joseph Zita / The Leafs Nation

Toronto Raptors: Trevor Gleeson is the perfect Sergio Scariolo replacement

Toronto Raptors: Trevor Gleeson is the perfect Sergio Scariolo replacement

The Toronto Raptors were already dealing with enough tough decisions this offseason, as the uncertainty surrounding Masai Ujiri, Kyle Lowry, and the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft was a lot to swallow for Nick Nurse. Losing Sergio Scariolo was another kick in the head, but Nurse didn’t leave the post vacant for […]
Toronto Raptors: Trevor Gleeson is the perfect Sergio Scariolo replacement – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ