Yahoo Sports ‘I Didn’t Expect To Go 82 Games Without’: Maple Leafs’ Steven Lorentz Reflects On Penalty-Free Streak Coming To An End
The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the ice for practice on Wednesday morning as the team gears up for their second meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets this season.
Winners of their last three consecutive games, the Leafs are aiming to extend their streak to four, while forward Steven Lorentz took time to discuss the end of his own personal streak – avoiding the penalty box.
Lorentz, known for his disciplined yet physical play, recorded his first penalty of the 2024-25 season during Saturday night’s 7-3 victory in Montreal. The infraction came late in the third period, at the 17:46 mark, when he was called two minutes for tripping.
“As soon as I hit him, I kind of figured that might happen just knowing the score of the game. And I looked over and saw the guy's arm go up and I thought, oh, well,” said Lorentz after practice on Wednesday. “But no, that happens. Again, I didn't try to take his legs out. I was just trying to get in there and get body position on him.”
“Stuff happens. Again, I didn't expect to go 82 without a penalty minute. It probably wouldn't have been a good look anyways. But it's probably good that I got one on the board so I don't have a big donut sitting under the penalty minute category,” he added.
It marked the end of an impressive run of 46 penalty-free games to start the season. The penalty was Lorentz's first since April 4, 2024, when he was playing for the Florida Panthers and was called for delay of game after sending the puck over the glass – marking a 48-game stretch.
Despite his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame, the 28-year-old has managed to stay disciplined throughout his career. In 278 regular-season NHL games across five seasons, he has only accumulated 44 penalty minutes. His most penalized season came in 2022-23 with the San Jose Sharks when he recorded 16 minutes.
This season, he leads the Leafs in hits (125) and has astonishingly only taken one penalty. When asked how he has managed to stay out of the box, Lorentz credited his positioning and discipline.
“I try to pride myself on just being on the right side of pucks and on my man,” said Lorentz. “When you do that, usually you're not going to have to reach or put sticks in between guys' legs or get into the guys' hands. So I just try to do that."
"And again, it's worked so far up until that last game there. But I'm not going to change. Again, I'm just trying to be physical and be on the right side of guys. Usually you're not going to get called," he added.
While his streak may have ended, Lorentz’s approach has paid dividends for the club, primarily in a bottom-six role. In 48 appearances for the Leafs this season, the former seventh-round pick has five goals, six assists, and 11 points.
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