Kasperi Kapanen became the overtime hero for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2. However, he had to share the limelight with a new found folk hero, Dart Guy.
Heroes surface in the playoffs; at times they’re destined, but on occasion, they happen by accident. Last night, there was a pair that took Leafs Nation by storm. Let’s start with the obvious, Kasperi Kapanen, who had himself a game in the Toronto Maple Leafs Game 2 victory.
During the second period and with Toronto down 2-1, Kapanen picked the right time to score his first career playoff goal. Standing near the crease, he corraled the loose puck and put it past Braden Holtby to tie the game.
Then, when one overtime wasn’t enough; the game went to double overtime. Then at the eight-minute mark of the second overtime, Kapanen displayed his clutch gene. With a stickless John Carlson, he took a Brian Boyle pass and ended the overtime marathon. Knotting up the series at one with the scene switching to Toronto tomorrow night.
"“I think we’ve proven to everybody we could play with these guys. We’re the underdogs for sure but the way we’ve been playing…we can give them a run for their money.” – Kasperi Kapanen"
Kapanen, along with his linemates on the fourth line were key factors in the victory. With Auston Matthews and William Nylander yet to find their groove in the series, it’s a welcome contribution. Also, stealing one in Washington could plant a seed of doubt in the President Trophy winners.
A folk hero is born
Last year, playoff hockey gave us Tony X. Someone who had never seen a hockey game but was captivated by Game 7 of the St. Louis Blues-Chicago Blackhawks series. However, this year the hockey gods have given us Dart Guy.
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In the middle of a back and forth game 2, Jason Maslakow aka Dart Guy took Twitter by storm. As his dart hanged out of his blue and white face, Toronto fans found their rallying symbol. A Toronto fan from the province of Ontario, Maslakow went to Washingto D.C. and little did he know the social media stir he’d cause.
In the middle of the third period, more and more fans on Twitter began to switch their profile picture to the “iconic” Dart Guy.
With his new found glory, Toronto’s new “good luck charm” has to carry the hopes of the superstitious fans as the series heads to the Air Canada Centre. In a sea full of suits, one can hope that Dart Guy makes another cameo appearance.