Toronto Maple Leafs players took time out from their hectic schedule to celebrate Mother’s Day and honor their mothers and partners. Game 4 of the second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers coincided with the occasion, which fell on Sunday, May 11, this year.
An Extra Special Mother’s Day for Mitch Marner
Maple Leafs star winger Mitch Marner had plenty of reason to celebrate the holiday. His wife recently gave birth to their first child, a boy named Miles, making this her first Mother’s Day.
“It’s a special day for myself and my wife. It’s her first Mother’s Day, it’s something really cool. Can’t wait to get home tomorrow, see the little guy, and celebrate with them for Mother’s Day. It’s a cool day to share with my wife and both moms,” Marner said via The Hockey News.
Other Maple Leafs players also took time to honor their mothers, reflecting on how they supported their hockey dreams. Even though the team was on the road in Florida, players made sure their moms received flowers, gifts, and messages to mark the day.
“She got flowers. A couple of days ago, she got them. A little earlier celebration for her,” Leafs forward William Nylander said. “Owe it all to her and the hours she spent lugging the family around. Getting me and my brother to practices and taking my sisters along with us. It’s been amazing.”
Veteran defenseman Chris Tanev, whose brother Brandon Tanev plays for the Winnipeg Jets, also spoke about the sacrifices their mother made.
“Growing up, I think every kid who’s been in hockey can attest to your mom driving you to the rink at 6 a.m. and working extremely hard at her job and still coming home and taking my brothers and I to hockey. It’s not an easy job, and obviously, I can’t thank her enough for what she’s done,” Tanev said.
The Maple Leafs’ official merchandise shop also announced a special Mother’s Day sale, offering 25% off purchases made on Sunday.
Maple Leafs Leading Playoff Series 2–1
Panthers forward Brad Marchand’s overtime goal in Game 3 cut Toronto’s series lead to 2–1 heading into a pivotal Game 4. Florida will now look to even the series on home ice.
“It’s obviously huge to get that win, but our mentality doesn’t really change, and how we approach each game, our style of play, doesn’t change,” Florida forward Evan Rodrigues told NHL.com. “What we have to do to be successful doesn’t change, so we’ll take it on a game-by-game basis, just like we have been.”
Both Florida and Toronto still have everything to play for. The Maple Leafs are trying to advance past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 56 years.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers, meanwhile, are chasing back-to-back titles.
