Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltender Joseph Woll making a glove save during a home matchup.

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski – USA Today Sports

Maple Leafs netminder Joseph Woll prevents a sure fire goal with a dazzling save against the Ottawa Senators

Tonight marks the first pre-season game for the Maple Leafs as they welcomed their provincial rivals in the Ottawa Senators to the Scotiabank Arena. It wasn’t the start they were hoping for as the visitors jumped to an early 14-1 shot advantage but they were kept in the game in large part due to Woll’s heroics.

 

 

The Senators were buzzing from all ends of the ice and with Shane Pinto and Drake Batherson skating hard towards the net, the former’s initial shot was blocked but it redirected towards the latter who was well within reach of scoring his first goal. However, Woll stayed with the play and used his paddle to keep the Senators off the board, much to the delight of the home crowd.

 

 

Woll is expected to play a much larger role for the Leafs this season with Ilya Samsonov finding himself in Vegas. Anthony Stolarz was brought in during free agency to form a solid 1A/1B tandembut saves like this will keep Woll in the blue paint for a lion’s share of games this season.