Leafs tough guy Wade Belak has been trying to find a way back into Toronto’s lineup. At the same time, Alyn McCauley, who hasn’t come anywhere near matching his playoff output, looks like he’s been trying to play his way out of the lineup. Belak has been a healthy scratch lately, and McCauley’s been demoted to the fourth line. Things were so getting so frustrating for Belak that he joked that the only way he might get into the game, is if someone gets hurt.
It was obviously unintentional, but paranoid die-hard blue and white conspiracy theorists could have their hands full after Belak ended up breaking McCauley’s nose during a routine drill at practice Sunday. But for those who saw it, it looked more like McCauley’s self-destruction, after he barreled into Belak who was merely standing still like an oblivious tank. The blood instantly scurried from McCauley’s nose, collecting in a crimson pool that contrasted nicely with the cold white ice.
“I was just standing there. Next thing you know he just runs into me,'' a defensive Belak said after Monday's morning skate.
Luckily, for McCauley, the injury wasn't that bad and he's been penned into the starting lineup for Monday night's game against visiting Anaheiem.
“It's a little tender but it's not bad," said McCauley.
