Morgan Rielly ties Maple Leafs' single-period assist record
Over the 102-year history of the Toronto Maple Leafs, there are bound to be some unbreakable records. But on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild, Morgan Rielly was able to tie an impressive franchise mark.
As the Leafs overpowered the visiting team with a four-goal second period, the defenceman was able to notch helpers on every one of those goals, giving him four assists over the 11-minute barrage.
Morgan Rielly collected four assists in the middle frame to match the @MapleLeafs franchise record for most in a regular-season period, a mark set by Rick Vaive on March 12, 1984. https://t.co/kWpu3XsHBW #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/kY8WX8YlhK
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 16, 2019
The record was originally set by Leafs legend Rick Vaive in a game against the Winnipeg Jets back in the 1983-84 season. Vaive assisted on goals by some memorable franchise names like Russ Courtnall and Thomas Steen. What a time to be alive.
Much like the game 35 years ago, Toronto was coming from behind to put up that offensively driven period. Down 1-0 after the first frame, the Leafs scored four unanswered against Minnesota, including two tallies on the power play from Mitch Marner and Andreas Johnsson.
Criticized heading into the game against the Wild, perhaps this one period will change the perception of Rielly’s early season play.
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