'Funny How The Hockey Gods Work': Maple Leafs' Steven Lorentz Scores Game-Winning Goal After Bounce Off Official

Lorentz's game-winning goal was the second shorthanded tally of his career.

Steven Lorentz loves being a Maple Leaf.

The 28-year-old entered Wednesday night's game against the Colorado Avalanche having not scored since Jan. 19 against the Montreal Canadiens. But he helped the Maple Leafs leave Scotiabank Arena with a 2-1 win over the Avalanche.

Already a 1-1 game in the third period, Toronto takes a too-many-men penalty, which Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube wasn't pleased about.

"The penalty I wasn't very happy with," he said following the game. "I was not really happy with the call, to be honest with you. But, it is what it is."

Little did everyone know what would occur shortly after the Maple Leafs were dinged with the call. Just over a minute into the kill, Simon Benoit attempted to fire the puck down the ice, but it hit one of the officials on the way down.

"I think we were just trying to get a clear and I'm not too sure what happened with the ref. I was trying to look to get a change and I just kind of saw him go down a little bit," Lorentz said. "I saw the puck squirt loose so I thought I might as well re-route and try to go get a shot on net."

After picking up the puck, Lorentz sped down the left side and ripped a shot over the shoulder of Mackenzie Blackwood for his sixth goal of the season (the second shorthanded goal of his career), giving Toronto the lead early in the third period.

"A pretty good shot. Yeah, pretty good shot I'd say," captain Auston Matthews said. "Nice little break for us there. But yeah, pretty tough angle there but he got that off pretty good."

Although Colorado pushed, Lorentz's goal would be the final one of the game, giving Toronto two more points and tying them with the Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division standings.

Even Matthews' goal in the second period, which was meant to be a pass in front, was deflected off Devon Toews and into the net.

"It's kind of funny how the hockey gods work out. Sometimes you get those bounces, sometimes you don't," Jake McCabe said after the win.

"I was fortunate enough to pick a corner and the rest is history. But I'll take that bounce," Lorentz added. "It seems like I've had a few bounces go the other way this year, so we'll take that one."

After the goal, Lorentz went down on one knee in celebration before jumping into the glass inside Scotiabank Arena. He's scored two goals in front of the home crowd before, but clearly, this one was a bit different.

Even five months after making his Maple Leafs debut, he's still in awe that he gets to play for the team he grew up watching. That drives him now, and it'll motivate him even more once the playoffs roll around.

"It's surreal every game. I take pride in pulling that jersey over every single game. Scoring by a goal like tonight, you'd think of just being a little kid jumping into the glass," Lorentz said.

"Again, it's a job now for me and I take it very seriously. But there's still that passion, that fire in myself that I love doing what I do."

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