Thu, 01 Dec 22 16:38:22 +0000

Darryl Sittler on the days and Knights of Mitch Marner’s streak

Former Toronto Maple Leafs players and members of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Darryl Sittler, left to right, Borje Salming and Mats Sundin take part in a pregame ceremony prior to NHL hockey action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins, in Toronto, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Photo by Frank Gunn /The Canadian Press

Darryl Sittler can’t think of a more suitable Maple Leaf than Mitch Marner to break his franchise consecutive games points record.

“He’s creative, he’s good defensively, he’s passionate – and he’s a London Knight,” Sittler quipped on the phone from Florida after watching his junior team alumnus tie him and Ed Olczyk’s mark of 18 games in dramatic fashion the night before.

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Forty-five years separate the first round Leaf picks from the Forest City, Sittler eighth overall, Marner fifth, both with a 40-goal OHL season, Sittler’s best year 99 points, Marner’s 126.

“I remember when we drafted Mitch,” said Sittler, the Hall of Fame captain and now a club ambassador. “Mark Hunter was on our staff (having briefly left the Knights to be assistant general manager to Lou Lamoriello) and spoke so highly of him. He’d watched him since he was a young kid and told us he was the real deal.

“He’s obviously played that way and has had a great career.”

A chapter of that is playing out now, Marner matching Sittler’s run in 1978 and Olczyk’s from 1990. During Marner’s 18 games with at least a goal or assist, he’s had seven and 17, respectively, while Toronto’s record in that span is 11-2-5.

Yet 58 minutes and 49 seconds of game time went by Wednesday before Marner got on the board, having not connected on two empty nets. Sittler didn’t lose faith as he watched the final few minutes

“As soon as we made it 2-1 (and San Jose pulled their) goalie I thought ‘something’s gonna happen, a goal or assist’.

“Hey, when you put together a streak like this, you also need good luck or a bounce here or there. I hope he breaks it (Saturday in Tampa Bay) and gets It to 10 or 15 more games.

“But Wayne Gretzky had his reach 51 games so you know that’s a hell of a thing.”

The Sun spoke to Olczyk this week and the current TV analyst with his photographic memory had names, players and dates of big moments in his 18-game roll. As for Sittler?

“Nothing,” he laughed. “Back then, if (team public relations man) Stan Obodiac didn’t have it in his notes in the press box, you missed it.

“People ask if I was nervous my streak would be stopped as it went along but I didn’t really know I was on one.”

Sittler’s began Jan. 26 of ’78, a late goal in a loss to the Islanders, assisted by Borje Salming and Pat Boutette. It ended March 8, his only goal in a losing cause versus the L.A. Kings, from Lanny McDonald and Salming. In his 18 games, he had 33 points, though it was not exactly the golden age of goaltending.

Sittler played primarily centred McDonald on his right side, but a number of other wingers pop up in the streak stats, such as Jack Valiquette and Errol Thompson.

“Put Tiger Williams in there, too,” Sittler chirped. “He needs some support after he was minus two on my (NHL record) 10-point night.”

Sittler was out of town the night Olczyk went for 19 games, only to be denied by the Islanders at the Gardens. Eddie ‘O’ missed a great scoring chance and 50-goal winger Gary Leeman hit the post twice on his passes.

Sittler was waiting on the phone to congratulate Olcyzk that night and wants that chance again Saturday.

“I sent Mitch a text last night and he gave me a nice reply. It was great to see him in that water bottle shower video in the dressing room.

“He’s fun to watch and the best thing is that we’re winning while his streak goes on. Losing a bunch would take the shine off.

“I’m pulling for him to do it.”