By Yuri Kovalev
Grabovsky played an inspiring match and directly contributed to the Maple Leafs’ victory over one of the leaders in the Eastern Conference. With Washington already leading 4:1, the Belarusian sportsman managed to return hope to his partners by scoring a goal. Then, his team brought the match into overtime, by scoring three times in the final three minutes of the last, third period. An additional period didn’t reveal a winner, so everyone prepared for a series of penalty shoot-outs. Grabovsky again played a key role, skating towards goalie Michal Neuvirth, pivoting in front and, with his back to the net, scoring with a backhanded shot to the right post.
At the 2009 World Championship in Switzerland, Grabovsky’s similar amazing shoot was disallowed, yet nobody doubted its legitimacy in the NHL.
