Craig Berube Reveals How the Maple Leafs Plan to Handle Sam Bennett Moving Forward
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube laid out the game plan for his team on handling Sam Bennett after he put an elbow into Anthony Stolarz's head.
With the Maple Leafs up 1-0 against Florida, it's a really good start for a team looking to exorcise past demons and make sure that they don't waste arguably their most successful season in decades.
It's not without some bumps though, as Anthony Stolarz ended up coming out of the game and needing to be stretchered to hospital after Sam Bennett laid a dirty elbow to his head.
No punishment was given on or off the ice, and while everyone is outraged, there's not much we can really do.
The Maple Leafs can however, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Bennett with a huge target on his back going forward.
But if Craig Berube had anything to say about it, he would nix that plan in a heartbeat.
Craig Berube Explains Discipline Is Best Course Of Action
Speaking to media regarding his goaltender's health, the head coach mentioned what he believes his team needs to do going forward in order to curb Bennett's behavior and it's not what you think:
Play hard and physical. They do what they do.
Again, that's up to the refs & the league. We're going to be disciplined.
You go out and think you're going to get back at Bennett and you end up in the penalty box. We don't need that.
Again, that's up to the refs & the league. We're going to be disciplined.
You go out and think you're going to get back at Bennett and you end up in the penalty box. We don't need that.
While it's definitely a more civil reaction than one would expect from a former enforcer, it doesn't make fans feel any better, with the outrage still loud and clear.
Granted, Toronto sending the former champions home would be the sweetest justice imaginable, but that's not easy whatsoever, especially with Stolarz missing a few games potentially.
So staying physical and disciplined is Toronto's best bet, as much as it may pain some.
Florida doubled Toronto's hit output 51-24, but Toronto only had three penalties all night. If they can tighten that up even more and absorb some of Florida's hits without giving into retaliation, it's going to frustrate them.
That frustration turns into mistakes, and if Florida is undisciplined themselves, sooner or later it's going to bite them back.
It might just happen this series against the Maple Leafs, as long as they follow Berube's game plan.
Play hard. Play physical. But most of all?
Play smart.
| POLL | ||
MAI 6 | 1189 ANSWERS Craig Berube Reveals How the Maple Leafs Plan to Handle Sam Bennett Moving Forward Do you think the Maple Leafs need to go after Sam Bennett next game? | ||
| Yes he deserves to pay! | 455 | 38.3 % |
| No you can't afford to be dumb! | 734 | 61.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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