Michael Grabner has had a hard time scoring goals this season. The former 30-goal scorer had found the back just six times in 65 games in 2015-16, but on Sunday he found a new way to score on a breakaway.
The 28-year-old was spring on a breakaway late in the second period. He was hauled down before getting a shot off and the referee on the ice rewarded him with a penalty shot, but Leafs head coach Mike Babcock wasn’t satisfied with that call. Babcock was right.
As you can tell from the video at the top of the page, the puck went off Mrazek’s pad, off Grabner’s backside and in the net.
After review, the official decided he’d seen enough to change the call. Good goal.
This was Grabner’s first goal since Jan. 2.
Here’s some Twitter reaction:
A greasy goal from Grabner breaks the deadlock and gives the Leafs a 1-0 lead. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/b6vWo5kdg8
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 14, 2016
Grabner hasn't scored in 30 games. He needed to fly into the net and bank it in off his rear end to do it.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) March 14, 2016
The most Grabner goal of all time.
— Bryan Hayes (@HayesTSN) March 14, 2016