TORONTO (AP) — In an exhilarating showdown on March 19, 2025, the Toronto Maple Leafs narrowly defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 at Scotiabank Arena, ending Colorado's impressive nine-game point streak. Joseph Woll stood out in the net, making a remarkable 38 saves.
Steven Lorentz provided a key moment early in the third period when he snatched a short-handed goal that sent the home fans into a frenzy. This goal came during a power-play penalty kill for Toronto, marking Lorentz’s sixth of the season and proving pivotal in determining the game's outcome.
Auston Matthews also made headlines, scoring his fourth goal in three games, while Valeri Nichushkin netted the lone goal for the Avalanche, which was their first regulation defeat since February 23, 2025. The Avalanche, who boasted an 8-0-1 record before this match, struggled to maintain their momentum after a previous impressive victory over Toronto just a week prior.
The win was particularly crucial for the Maple Leafs as they navigate a knife-edge battle in the Atlantic Division against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, both of whom are closely trailing them in the standings.
In a bizarre twist, Lorentz's goal came about in a peculiar play that fans and players will not soon forget. It all started with defenseman Simon Benoit attempting to clear the puck, only to have it hit referee Kelly Sutherland. This unexpected deflection created an opportunity for Lorentz, enabling him to capitalize on the miscue and fire a shot past Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, who faced 24 shots on goal.
This unforeseen goal led many fans to voice their confusion and frustration on social media, spotlighting the incident as a strange yet defining moment of the game. "What an assist from Kelly Sutherland!" wrote a fan on X, while another exclaimed, "That referee has to be the Leafs' first star of the game for that."
Head Coach Jared Bednar of the Avalanche responded to the incident by noting, "That one was a little strange, and it couldn’t have come at a worst time." Such odd moments in sports always seem to spark spirited debates among fans and commentators alike.
On the ice, both teams had traded power-play goals earlier in the game, with Matthews opening the scoring for Toronto in the second period before Nichushkin answered back for Colorado. The stage was set for an intense finish and the final act did not disappoint.
For Colorado, the defeat served as a sharp reminder of the competitiveness of the Central Division, where they continue to chase the Dallas Stars for the coveted No. 2 seed. After scoring the winning goal, Lorentz and the Maple Leafs now sit level on points (85) with the Panthers, complicating the Atlantic Division race further.
Amid the excitement, one of the players to watch was Maple Leafs forward William Nylander, hovering just one point shy of his 600th career point. This milestone brings an added layer of excitement to the team's pursuit of division dominance.
The Avalanche now face a quick turnaround, preparing to visit the Ottawa Senators on March 20, while the Maple Leafs will hit the road to face the New York Rangers the same day. As the pressure intensifies with the season nearing its conclusion, both teams will be eager to capitalize on every moment moving forward.
As the hockey world turns its attention to upcoming games, one thing is crystal clear: whether through outstanding saves or bizarre occurrences, the drama and unpredictability of the NHL continue to captivate fans everywhere.
