Thursday’s outing in Glendale, Arizona was a road game on the Leafs’ schedule, but Gila River Arena may just as well have been Air Canada Centre given the number of fans wearing Leafs sweaters bearing the name of Auston Matthews.
The Leafs superstar did not disappoint his native fans in the Grand Canyon State. Matthews scored the second goal of the game – on an amazing ‘curl and drag’ snipe – and combined with linemates Zach Hyman and William Nylander for four points in Toronto’s 7-4 win.
“It was a great feeling. Definitely one I’ll remember – a pretty special goal.