'Something to prove': Leafs give Mrazek chance to respond on big outdoor stage

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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TSN Toronto Reporter Mark Masters reports on the Maple Leafs, who held an optional practice at the Ford Performance Centre on Friday ahead of the 2022 Heritage Classic against the Buffalo Sabres at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton on Sunday.

It may have been an obvious decision, but it was not an easy one to make.  

"We thought a lot about it," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "We talked a lot about it." 

Ultimately, the Leafs tabbed embattled goalie Petr Mrazek to start on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres in the Heritage Classic at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. 

"You want to give Petr an opportunity to get back in and respond," Keefe explained. "There's the fact it's an outdoor game and Petr has experience playing outdoor games in the NHL. There's a lot of stuff going on that makes it obvious to give Petr another chance to go back in."

Mrazek started and won a Stadium Series game for the Detroit Red Wings against the Colorado Avalanche back on Feb. 27, 2016 at Coors Field in Denver.

With Jack Campbell sidelined with a rib injury, this should be Mrazek's chance to establish himself in the Leafs net. But on Thursday night, he allowed four goals on 12 shots before being pulled in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes. Erik Kallgren, 25, made his National Hockey League debut in relief stopping 10 of 11 shots before taking the loss in overtime.  

"With it being an outdoor game, I don't want to put Kallgren in that spot," Keefe said, "especially when you have a guy who has experience and a little something to prove."

Mrazek has played 291 NHL games over 11 seasons. This isn't his first taste of adversity at this level. 

"Those things happen," the 30-year-old Czech