OTTAWA – The start was to be a secret. Ron Wilson, then the head coach of the Maple Leafs, didnt want the "piranhas" in the Toronto media to catch wind of his plans for this young kid in the nations capital. He wanted the very first start in the unlikely career of a fourth round pick from Morweena, Manitoba to remain secret. "I dont want him to be bothered," Wilson said of his intentions two days later. "Around here a guy wins a game and were ready to build a statue for him." The statue was never built, but the tenure sure was memorable for James Reimer, whose Leaf career almost certainly ended Saturday in the same place it began in earnest more than three and a half years earlier. The 26-year-old wondered aloud if this was it, if a strong 36-save performance in a 1-0 season-ending loss to the Senators was how his tenure in Toronto would ultimately end. "Really sad," he said if that were, in fact, the case. "This is the team I always wanted to play for my whole career. Its just sad that now theres a question mark over it because I wouldve wanted it to be a sure thing for 20 years. "I always dreamed that I would be a Leaf right from the start, right from when I got drafted and especially after my first season up here. Its all I wanted to do is be here and be the guy. Just thinking that that might not be the case now it brings a lot of emotions and its just real unfortunate the way its turned out." He was an unlikely case from the get-go. The 99th overall selection in 2006, Reimer wasnt all that highly thought of, never really projected to be anything of consequence even as he rose up the ranks of an organization lacking in goaltending since Ed Belfours departure (Reimers childhood hero oddly enough). "I wouldnt have probably bet a plug nickel that he would be one of our goalies this year to be honest with you," Wilson said of Reimer during his rise to prominence in the 2010-11 campaign. A relative unknown, Reimer won 20 times in 36 starts that year and boasted an unexpected, but impressive .921 save percentage, reviving the playoff hopes of a squad that would eventually fall short. "I dont think he ever ceases to amaze us," former Leaf Luke Schenn said after one particular shutout in Minnesota. They called him "Sherman" or "The Sherminator" at first, because he bore a resemblance to the quirky character from the 1999 summer hit American Pie. He was from the smallest of towns in Manitoba, a religious kid who didnt have much use for vulgarity. "I try to watch my swear words around him," Joey Crabb, another former Leaf, once said. He was a feel good story in a hockey town that had little to feel good about. Excitement was high. The organization, it seemed, had solved a question long short on answers – almost by accident. He was dubbed the "saviour" by one local newspaper, hyperbole never quite kept in check in the hub of Toronto. "The media in Toronto is going to have to be careful," J.S. Giguere once cautioned. "I think hes also human and were all bound to make mistakes and have a tough week or a tough month – you never know whats ahead of us." Giguere unknowingly foreshadowed adversity that arrived with a thud shortly thereafter. The unquestioned No.1 for the Leafs at the outset of the 2011-12 season, Reimer picked up wins in four of his first five starts. Optimism was budding, that is until a late October night in Montreal. It was there that the elbow of Canadiens captain Brian Gionta slammed into Reimers head and instantly altered all that was trending in a positive direction. Wilson and the team called it "whip-lash" initially and figured hed miss only a few days. Concussion speculation pattered around the city as his absence dragged on, all that uncertainty culminating in a reporters phone call that unleashed all-out fury. "I cant believe a media [member] would call up a parent," Wilson spewed. Almost six weeks went by before Reimer returned to the net. And it was quite clear after that he was not the same goaltender. Save for a few bright spots, he struggled and it wasnt long before that rumours of a trade for then-Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo percolated. Those talks fell through though and he remained a Leaf. "We believe in James Reimer," said then-President and GM Brian Burke ahead of a September charity golf tournament, days before the lockout began. "We have said from the get-go that if we get an opportunity to upgrade at the goaltending position were going to do it. Thats still the case. But its not a frantic search for a goaltender. We believe in James Reimer." Health issues were put to bed in the summer – the concussion was later deemed a neck issue – and Reimer sought redemption. "I want to come in and show that I can be the starter and that they need to look nowhere else," he said in mid-July 2012. He indeed came in and showed that he could be the starter after the lockout finally ended, but that didnt stop the organizations search for someone else. Burke, chief in those summer talks for Luongo, had since been fired, but his replacement and longtime No. 2, Dave Nonis, felt the same uncertainty with Reimer as did his predecessor. This in spite of the fact that Reimer was playing about as well as anyone in the league – finishing amongst the leaders in save percentage. Miikka Kiprusoff was the name that was circled (and Luongo too) and the club pushed and pushed to get him from Calgary ahead of the trade deadline, this to help an unforeseen playoff push. They said they wanted security behind Reimer, some veteran comfort behind a goaltender who had never played in the postseason, but it was all too clear that they really just wanted a potential replacement. In the end Kiprusoff declined the move and trade talk was put to bed – for the moment. More doubt seemed to equal more motivation for Reimer. He went on to post a .930 save percentage in the month after the deadline kerfuffle, leading the club to its first playoff berth in nine years. "What he did is he proved to himself, he proved to the guys in the room and he proved to outsiders for whatever thats worth that he is an elite goalie in this league," then-backup Ben Scrivens said. "Hes had a fantastic season. In my opinion hes got to be in the running for the Vezina, with his record, with his numbers, with where he sits." Game 7 is all thats remembered from the May that followed. Forgotten were Games 5 and 6 when Reimer out-dueled Tuukka Rask and pushed the eventual Eastern Conference champs to the brink of elimination in the unlikely all-or-nothing clash that followed in Boston – one that the Leafs would lose despite a 4-1 third period lead. Doubts within about his viability returned after that night (or perhaps never left) and by late June, competition for the crease had arrived in Jonathan Bernier, a 25-year-old who dreamed of a No. 1 job for years in Los Angeles. "I dont plan on giving up that starters spot right now," Reimer said shortly after the trade, as diplomatic as his emotions would allow, "not to be a jerk about it obviously." But ultimately he would cede that starters spot, outclassed at last by Bernier in December. Pulled in the first frame of an eventual loss to Detroit that month, his bench stare-down with Randy Carlyle endured as a lasting image of his frustration. He saw the net only sparingly in the weeks and months after, his struggles mostly lingering save for the odd and very occasional spike. "Its been," he said delicately in late January, "its been an interesting year. Thats maybe the best way I can describe it." An interesting year came to a boiling point in mid-March with Bernier sidelined. It was there, with another (and perhaps final) meaningful opportunity, that Reimer could not overcome surrounding adversity and perform to a high level. Though left on an island on far too many occasions, he too struggled badly as the good vibes of a California road swing suddenly turned sour for the Leafs. After the second of eight consecutive losses in Detroit, all the lingering internal doubts seemed to come to head. "I thought he was okay you know," said Carlyle of Reimer following a 3-2 loss to the Red Wings, "just okay." "So he said I was just okay," Reimer responded. "I thought I played good, but obviously youd like to make at least one of those saves in the third." Confidence sunk, his struggles continued in three more losses – pulled in the opening frame of the fifth straight defeat in New Jersey after three goals slipped by on 10 shots. At his lowest, he tried to find some kind of silver lining afterward, anything to make the sting of some benefit down the road. "As crazy as it sounds I know Im becoming a better goalie and obviously a better person," he said in empty Prudential Center hallway. And then the circle of his Leaf journey concluded from where it all began in the season finale on Saturday. Reimer will almost certainly move on from here. A restricted free agent on July 1st, he is ready for a change, ready for a fresh start as much it probably pains him. He called this season one that was good for learning, a lesson in how to maintain an even-headedness through adversity. Asked how he would remember his tour in Toronto, one that began with a 32-save performance on that secretive January day, Reimer gushed, "Wonderful, just wonderful. "Im so blessed to be able to do what I do. And as hard as it gets at the end of the day youre playing hockey in the NHL. Obviously, I wouldve liked to be better and I have high expectations for myself and I expect to be the best and get results, but I love this game, I love what I do and to be able to do it for three and a half years now for the best organization in the world its been an absolute pleasure." Boston Bruins Jerseys .ca. In Sundays Blackhawks-Penguins game, Pittsburgh defenceman Brooks Orpik laid a huge hit on Chicagos Jonathan Toews. Now in my view, Orpik can be clearly seen leaving his feet while delivering a moderately high hit. Cam Neely Jersey . Louis Blues just continue to roll -- especially against the Nashville Predators. http://www.bruinsstore.com/authentic-jar...-bruins-jersey/. Patty Mills scored 15 points, Tim Duncan had 10 points and 11 rebounds in limited minutes, and San Antonio trailed for only 11 seconds late in the first quarter of a 103-90 victory over Portland on Wednesday night. Adam Oates Jersey . Granlund scored 2:04 into the first period. Max Reinhart, on his first NHL shift of the season, neatly stripped the puck from Zack Smith at the Senators blue-line. As he moved in, his attempted shot deflected into the slot where Granlund buried a shot past Craig Anderson. Milan Lucic Jersey . The Ravens werent about to let it happen again. Carleton picked up its fourth straight national mens basketball title, and 10th in the last 12 years, with a 79-67 victory over its crosstown rival on Sunday.ATLANTA -- Justin Upton is having quite a month. Upton homered and had three RBIs, Jason Heyward drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Friday night for their third straight win. With 28 RBIs in 25 games since Aug. 1, Upton considers this to be the best month of his eight-year career. Its helped give him a career-high 91 RBIs this season, three more than he had in 2011 with Arizona. "Yeah, the guys on front of me have been getting on base, and Ive been fortunate to get some hits," Upton said. "As far as run producing, its probably been the best." The Braves, winners in 10 of 14, began the night 1 1/2 games back in the NL wild-card standings, but are just 19-21 since the All-Star break. Andrelton Simmons led off the seventh against Chris Hatcher (0-2) with a bunt single and advanced to third on pinch-hitter Ramiro Penas single. Simmons scored on Heywards RBI single off Mike Dunn to give the Braves a 3-2 lead. Uptons RBI single off Sam Dyson drove in Heyward from second and Emilio Bonifacio also scored to make it 5-2 when centre fielder Marcell Ozuna misplayed the ball. It was a good example of the Braves trying to manufacture a run instead of taking their usual free-swinging, strikeout-prone approach. "Were going to have to do that if were going to win," Upton said. "Every nights not going to be a three-run homer. Were going to have to find ways to scratch runs across. We did that tonight." Jordany Valdespin tied it at 2-all in the Miami seventh with a pinch-hit homer, the seventh of his career, off reliever David Carpenter (5-3). Braves starter Ervin Santana allowed one run, five hits, four walks and struck out seven in six innings. Marlins starter Tom Koehler walked Freddie Freeman to begin the sixth and gave up Uptons 26th homer, a long shot deep into the seats in left-centre, for a 2-1 Atlanta lead. "I just got a good pitch to hit," Upton said. "In that situation I was just trying to get on base behind Freddie and squared it up." Kooehler gave up two runs and four hits with three walks and six strikeouts in six innings.dddddddddddd. The Marlins have dropped three straight and five of six. Santana needed 32 pitches to finish the first inning, walking three straight batters to load the bases, but escaped the jam by striking out Garrett Jones on three pitches and retiring Marcell Ozuna on a flyout. In the sixth, Ozuna doubled into the right-field corner off Santana, scoring Casey McGehee from second to make it 1-0, but Garrett Jones was thrown out at the plate on second baseman Tommy La Stellas relay throw to catcher Evan Gattis. "When you talk about winning games this time of year, youve got to make plays," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "The team that makes plays and gets big hits wins ball games." TRAINERS ROOM Marlins: Redmond said that RHP Dan Jennings, out since Aug. 8 with a concussion, was making a rehab start Friday and could rejoin the team soon. Braves: LHP Jonny Venters, who last pitched in 2012, said that he will undergo elbow ligament replacement surgery for the third time and added that "it never crossed my mind" to retire. UP NEXT Marlins RHP Jarred Cosart (11-8) beat the Braves 6-1 on June 26 while pitching for Houston. Braves RHP Aaron Harang (10-8) is winless with a 5.18 ERA in four starts this year and 5-5 with a 5.99 in 17 career starts against the Marlins. STAYING HOT Closer Craig Kimbrel, the fourth Atlanta pitcher, earned his 40th save in 44 chances after facing the minimum in the ninth. ... Upton went 2 for 4 and is hitting.307 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs in his 52 games since the start of July. ... The Braves improved to 69-44 dating back to last season with Heyward batting leadoff. STILL COLD Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman went 0 for 3 and his hitting .056 in 54 at-bats against the Marlins this season. ... Jones dropped to 1 for 12 with the bases loaded this year. ... Braves CF B.J. Upton was out of the lineup for the fourth time in seven games. After hitting a modest .255 in 98 at-bats in July, hes hitting .115 in August. Cheap Buffalo Sabres GearWholesale Calgary Flames JerseysCheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche JerseysMontreal Canadiens Outlet StoreWholesale New Jersey Devils JerseysAdidas Arizona Coyotes JerseysCheap Adidas Boston Bruins JerseysCheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes JerseysChicago Blackhawks Shop Free ShippingWholesale Columbus Blue Jackets JerseysDallas Stars Shop Free ShippingCheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings JerseysAnaheim Ducks Jerseys ChinaWholesale Edmonton Oilers JerseysFlorida Panthers Shop Free ShippingWholesale Los Angeles Kings JerseysMinnesota Wild Outlet StoreCheap Adidas Nashville Predators JerseysCheap Adidas New York Islanders JerseysNew York Rangers Winter Classic JerseysCheap Adidas Ottawa Senators JerseysCheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers JerseysWholesale Pittsburgh Penguins JerseysCheap Adidas San Jose Sharks JerseysSt. Louis Blues Winter Classic JerseysWholesale Tampa Bay Lightning JerseysToronto Maple Leafs Outlet StoreVancouver Canucks Outlet StoreCheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights JerseysCheap Adidas Washington Capitals JerseysCheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '