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TORONTO – Under the strain of a no. 1 gig in the NHL for the very first time, Jonathan Bernier has learned that its best to do little with off-nights from the grueling schedule, condensed as it is in an Olympic year. "I go home and watch TV and just rest," he said with a smile. "But thats what you need to do to be successful. Thats what Im going to do." And thats precisely what the Maple Leafs need him to do. Outside of the incomparable Phil Kessel, no player means more to Torontos fortunes down the stretch and into a hopeful postseason run than the 25-year-old between the pipes. Freed from the shadows of Jonathan Quick, Bernier has shined brilliantly in his first go-around as an NHL starter, minding the fort on most nights in front of a poor defensive team. The Laval, Quebec native ranks sixth in save percentage amongst goaltenders with at least 30 starts, this despite facing more shots than anyone but Mike Smith – Smith, of course, making nine more starts. Whether Bernier has the juice to maintain such a performance down the stretch could very well determine his teams fate. Though theyve scored in droves all year, the Leafs have also struggled badly to defend, requiring Bernier to fend off a barrage of 35, 40 and sometimes 50 shots against on many nights. His efforts have rarely wavered in spite of the workload. Berniers best month in terms of save percentage was October when he posted a sterling .933 mark, his worst coming more recently in January with a still respectable .916 showing. The Leafs – who allow a league-high of more than 36 shots per game – would not be on the firm ground of a playoff spot currently without such feats. "I knew my biggest challenge this year was going to be consistency," he told the Leaf Report, "to be good every night and hopefully, once in a while, be great and steal a few games for your team. Thats my main goal, to be good every night and give a chance to my team to win. But thats hard. When you havent played that much (as a starter) you feel tired a lot more than you are usually so its more like a grind mentally to push yourself to be better every day and work hard in practice. "Why (Henrik) Lundqvist is known as the best is hes going to be good every night and hes going to be great once in a while. Thats how you become the best is consistency. You can have one good year and then youre not going to be the best because youve got to prove it over and over. Thats what makes you a great player." Not since the 2009-10 season has Bernier played anywhere near this many games (40 starts) and that was when he was a Manchester Monarch in the AHL. His performance then was eye-catching. Then just 21, he posted a league-leading .936 save percentage during the regular season – Nathan Lawson was second at .922 – raising his level even higher in the playoffs with a .939 mark that again topped every one of his Calder Cup counterparts. All of which makes his performance this season if not surprising then reaffirming of the promise he showed early and often as a highly-touted prospect in the Kings organization. The question lingering now is whether he can continue to perform down the stretch or whether the strain of a sometimes painstaking load in Toronto will prove too much to bear. It will be worthwhile testing ground for the 11th pick in the 06 draft and could ultimately decide the Leafs fate this season. They remain a bad defensive team even with his heroics, ranking fifth to last in goals against. If he falters theres every chance they too falter as well (James Reimer lurks in the background in that case as a proven, if not unused, alternative). Bernier was on point in the final lead-up to the 18-day Olympic stoppage, but was scuffed up in his first two starts afterward, yielding nine goals combined in overtime losses to the Islanders and Canadiens. Off-nights like that will challenge the Leafs playoff push. Theyve required great goaltending to get to this point and will need more of the same in the final 20 games, the bulk of which Bernier is in line to start. Bernier for his part is doing what he can to remain sharp in the final leg of the regular season race. Earlier this season he noted that perhaps the greatest challenge of reassuming control of no. 1 duties is the mental focus required each and every night through an exhausting schedule, not simply the physical wear and tear associated with the job. "Its all about rest and feeling good about yourself and making sure you eat properly, you rest, you sleep good," he said. "Those are the things that are going to get you through a full season to be mentally sharp." Ambition is certainly high for Bernier. He wants to be great and the Leafs, at this stage, need him to be great, gambled when they acquired him that he could be great. "I dont want to look too far ahead," he said, "but my goal is to be the best I can be. Its going to take a few years to get that name (for myself) … but right now Im going day by day and enjoying to play games. Thats what Ive been waiting for and it feels good." http://www.thenfl49ersfanatic.com/c-15-49ers-torre...ersey.a spx . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. http://www.thenfl49ersfanatic.com/c-22-49ers-carlo...ersey.a spx . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. http://www.thenfl49ersfanatic.com/c-17-49ers-patri...ersey.a spx . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. http://www.thenfl49ersfanatic.com/c-36-49ers-quint...ersey.a spx . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. http://www.thenfl49ersfanatic.com/c-42-49ers-glenn...ersey.a spx . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No.Quite surprisingly, this is the first time since 1986 that the Argonauts and Ticats have met in the Eastern Final. The Hamilton Spectators Steve Milton also points out that, even more amazingly, this is the first time the Argos and Ticats have each had at least 10 wins in the same year. Rookie Shane Horton starts at middle linebacker for all-star Robert McCune, who will miss the game with a shoulder injury. Horton was a safety at USC and has played both outside linebacker and rush end for Toronto this year. He took at least 90 per cent of the snaps at MLB during practices this week. Another rookie will start at the boundary halfback position. Neiko Thorpe, a member of the 2010 NCAA champion Auburn Tigers, played well replacing Pat Watkins at cornerback when the two teams played last month in Guelph. Hes a big DB at 62". Hell line up next to the 65" Watkins. Both Romby Bryant and Jason Barnes are listed as backup receivers. Head coach Scott Milanovich said earlier in the week that he didnt plan to dress five import receivers. With Chad Owens, John Chiles and Dontrelle Inman listed as starters, one can assume that either Bryant or Barnes is out. Barnes did take more reps with the first team this week than Bryant did. Kicker Swayze Waters had a very good week at practice. The yard lines were not drawn on the field during Fridays workout, but Waters hit what appeared to be a 60-yard field goal at the end of a special teams session and was mobbed by his teammates. While punting from sideline to sideline with Noel Prefontaine during practice, Waters kicked one from one sideline, across the field, over the head of some media members and over the players bench. It went roughly 75-80 yards in the air. Jerious Norwood gets the start at running back for the injured Chad Kackert. Norwood is coming off a game against Montreal where he carried the ball eight times for 102 yards and caught four passes for 62 more. A kick return specialist in the NFL, Norwood said his fastest time in the 40-yard dash was 4.33 seconds. Aaron Maybin gets the nod at DE. His only start of the season came in the season finale against Montreal. The most obvious thing about Maybin is how quickly he gets off the ball. The Argos have not had a great pass rush this season and Maybins presence may help. Ticket demand was such that an additional block of upper-deck seats was made available Saturday afternoon.ddddddddddddThe latest estimate is that around 40,000 will be in attendance. Glen Johnson will be the referee for the game. TSN.ca asked some of this years East Division All-Stars which players they thought had a chance to be the star on Sunday. Chad Owens: "Ricky Ray. Hes been our most consistent player, hes probably been the most consistent player in the whole league and hes poised for these moments. I think hes going to continue to be Ricky Ray and help us win." Khalif Mitchell: "Neiko Thorpe. Hes been more sound in the stuff that hes been doing as far as film and knowing his assignments. Hes the first one talking whenever a coach is asking about whats going on (in practice) or whats supposed to happen in a situation. Hes the first one to be vocal about it and that shows his confidence and that hes been studying off the field." Pat Watkins: "Mr. Ricky Ray. I mean, thats a sure bet. Born a star, been a star. Continuing to grow, a leader. Hes the man to get this while team going. If he plays well, well rally behind him." Chris Van Zeyl: "Khalif Mitchell. Hes dominant. When you watch him on film, theres not an offensive line, when he puts his mind to it, that can stop him. Ive watched him all year terrorize the guys on our team and whether he wins or loses, he leaves his mark every play. Hes a fiery guy, he brings emotion to the game and the defence feeds off him". Jeff Keeping: "Andre Durie. Hes been great this year and has been one of our best players. He works hard all the time, does everything the coaches ask him to do, and that exemplifies what this team is all about." Ricky Ray was asked three different times in three different ways and still wouldnt talk about one specific player. When teased afterward that he was incredibly boring, he laughed and said "I know". Scott Milanovich acknowledged that he had a gut feeling that one of his stars would step up. When asked which one, he chuckled and said "Ill tell you after the game". Mike Hogan is the play by play voice of the Argos on TSN 1050 radio in Toronto. The pre-game show for Sundays game is Noon et, with a 1pm kickoff. You can listen online at TSN1050.ca. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
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