Maybe it’s because he never shuts up. Maybe it’s because he’s a tireless workhorse on the ice. Maybe he intimidates the opposition. Whatever it is, there’s no denying that Colby Armstrong has it. It’s an intangible that’s tough to measure, but the results are undeniable. This is a different Maple Leafs team when Colby is in the line up.
Prior to last summer’s free agent period, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Leafs GM Brian Burke would target Armstrong for acquisition. Armstrong is, after all, a prototypical Burke type player, perfectly cast in Burke’s ‘bottom 6′ mold of being hard working and tough to play against.
Shortly after the free agency period began it was announced that Armstrong had signed with the Leafs for 3 million a season, something many considered to be an overpayment at the time for a fringe 20 goal man. However, Clarke MacArthur notwithstanding, it’s proven to be Burke’s best offseason acquisition so far, as Armstrong is becoming a leader both on and off the ice.
Armstrong potted just one goal, no assists in his first 7 games with the club, but the team stormed out of the gate with a 5-1-2 record before a slash by Chris Higgins in the first period of a game against the Florida Panthers caused Armstrong to tear a tendon in his finger. Armstrong missed 16 games, in which the club went 3-11-2, spiraling down the Eastern Conference standings and seeming lost and complacent on the ice at times.
The team hit rock bottom the game before Armstrong’s return, as they put out a pathetic, lifeless effort against visiting Edmonton Oilers, losing 5-0 in what was their most lopsided defeat of the year. Fans were calling for Wilson’s head, Burke went on record stating that no coaching or personnel changes were imminent, and assistant GM Dave Nonis had a closed door meeting with the team, telling them the answer had to come from within the room.
Boy was he right. Both Armstrong and Jay Rosehill were inserted into the lineup Saturday against the Boston Bruins, as Armstrong provided a spark to the team’s top line with Phil Kessel and Kris Versteeg. Armstrong’s battles in front of the net with Zdeno Chara were phenomenal as he kept Chara off of Kessel’s back most of the game, even knocking the big man down at one point.
His actions seemed to inspire his team mates as well as they played a tougher style against the Bruins. The game featured many big hits, including a surprising take out by Nikolai Kulemin, a player not known for his hitting. Never giving up on a play, the Leafs kept pressing the attack, only to be thwarted again and again by former Vezina winner Tim Thomas in the Boston goal.
Finally, late in the game, the Leafs were rewarded for their efforts as Patrice Bergeron put a free hand on Mikhail Grabovski, earning a holding call which sent the Leafs to the power play. Thomas made a few more dazzling stops before the Leafs pulled goalie JS Giguere to get the extra attacker, and Kris Versteeg buried the game tying goal shortly after that, with 42 seconds left.
The Leafs went on to win that game in the shootout, and gained valuable experience in a gutsy, emotional win for the club. Fast forward to last night, and a similar story unfolds. Armstrong started the rough stuff once again, even losing his helmet once in a collision that he appeared to hurt himself on, but he got back up and continued the play. The Leafs were easily out-skilled in the first two periods as the Capitals run and gun offense created several chances.
Down 4-1 to start the third period, the Leafs never gave, and never let off the gas. An early goal by Mikhail Grabovski to pull within 2 seemed to give the Leafs life, and they scored two goals 59 seconds apart late in the period to tie the game and send it to overtime, where they would once again go to a shootout. Grabovski netted the only goal of the shootout with a beautiful spin move, while Jonas Gustavsson absolutely robbed Mathieu Perreault with the stick after being deked clean.
Many of the players commented on how Armstrong was keeping the mood up in the locker room and on the bench in the third period with his chatter. When both he and Phaneuf went down to injury, leadership was clearly an area in which they lacked. The biggest voice in the dressing room then became JS Giguere, who also went down with an injury.
So is it coincidence that upon Armstrong’s return the Leafs show more guts and fight in two character wins? The team’s record with Armstrong in the lineup now stands at an impressive 7-1-2. While he may not contribute on the score sheet, Armstrong means more to this team than we ever knew. Welcome back Colby, we missed you.
Popularity: 3%
Born and raised in Northern Ontario but currently living in Toronto, Tyler wouldn't have it any other way. Home to his two favourite sports teams, Tyler revels in the day to day sports experience that is Toronto. 