Kampf and Bunting lead Maple Leafs to preseason shutout win in Ottawa

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OTTAWA – The Maple Leafs did not sign David Kampf to score goals.

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Michael Bunting is another matter.

Just about anything Kampf puts in the opponent’s net this season and next season could be seen as an advantage.

In four seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before signing a two-year, $ 3 million deal with Toronto in July, Kampf scored a total of 17 goals in 235 games.

Bunting is looking to use last season with the Arizona Coyotes, when he scored 10 goals in 21 games, as a springboard to a breakout season in Toronto. When Bunting signed a $ 1.9 million, two-year deal with the Leafs, it was thought he could compete for a role in the top six.

In a 4-0 preseason win against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Center on Wednesday night, Kampf scored the winning goal in the first period and Bunting followed up with a hat trick, scoring all three of his goals in the game. of power.

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“That’s what he does,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said of Bunting. “He gets himself into goal areas, he has good hands, great sense at the net. He’s as hungry as anyone to score. For him, having this start in the preseason (four goals in two games) is a tremendous sign for him and for us ”.

That Kampf scored for the second game in a row shouldn’t necessarily be cause for excitement.

It’s his game off the puck and the ability to provide a smart choice that is sure to make Kampf a valued member of the Leafs once the regular season begins on Oct. 13.

“That’s something that I felt we really needed in the last few seasons, is to have that extra depth in the center of the ice,” Keefe said. “A guy whose strength is on penalties and welcomes defensive assignments. It gives us additional options and allows us to distribute the ice time a little better. A lot of good things come from that addition. “

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Petr Mrazek was the distance on the net for Leafs, making 19 saves for the shutout. Competing with Jack Campbell for the opening night call-up, Mrazek benefited from a good defensive effort from his teammates. Mrazek’s tough saves were few, but he had to be sharp to deny Colin White from the spot in the third period.

Entering the game, Keefe stressed the importance of opportunity for players when searching for jobs. Kampf, who wore the A substitute captain, has no worries.

Neither does Bunting, who will be trusted when the fun gets real in two weeks. What’s crucial for Bunting is moving to a higher line and staying there.

“That’s why I’m here, it’s to earn one of those spots and help this team in any way I can, but if I’m not in the top six, I’ll break my ass no matter what.” Bunting said. “Being able to put three on the net gives you a confidence boost.”

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After Kampf gave the Leafs a 1-0 lead when he beat Sens goalkeeper Filip Gustavsson between the legs, Bunting scored a pair of man-lead goals in the final five minutes of the second period.

Bunting’s third came on a late-game pass from Mike Amadio.

Josh Ho-Sang’s offensive talents have never been in doubt, no matter where he played, and he helped on all of Bunting’s goals.

The first was a quick pass from Ho-Sang to Bunting in front of the Ottawa net; the second was a pass to defender Rasmus Sandin, whose shot from the blue line was redirected by Bunting.

We can only imagine the impact that Ho-Sang, with the Leafs in a pro test, could have if he found a way to constantly channel his abilities.

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“I feel like I’ve been working as hard as I can and have found ways to implement my skill in addition to playing with the system,” Ho-Sang said. “It has been a great challenge to be able to combine the two. That has been a difficult thing for me in the last few years, to bring that consistency. “

With Canada’s first National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Thursday, the Leafs on Wednesday night graced the day with a series of initiatives.

The players wore Every Child Matters stamped helmet stickers and orange warm-up jerseys. There were orange tints in the dressing room and the coaching staff wore orange ties. Other staff members wore orange ribbons. Before the game, Leafs and Senators lined up in the center of the ice for a moment of silence.

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The day honors the lost and surviving children of residential schools, their families and communities.

“It’s holistic,” said Mark Fraser, who specializes in fairness, fun and inclusion with the Leafs player development staff.

“Unfortunately for many of us here in Canada, this is something of a new truth and a new awareness and knowledge. But for the lived experiences of our indigenous communities across Canada, this is nothing new.

“We can take advantage of these opportunities and learn and create education and awareness for ourselves as a staff, as an organization, for our players.”

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