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Craig Berube not happy with Joseph Woll after poor decision results in a Leafs OT loss


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Mike Armenti
January 4, 2026  (12:06)
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Joseph Woll had an opportunity to freeze the puck in OT and get a change for his tired teammates. He did not, and Craig Berube commented on the costly play after the loss
Photo credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images

Joseph Woll made a poor decision during overtime against the New York Islanders that led directly to a Leafs loss, and Craig Berube was not happy about it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs came up just short of a big win last night against the New York Islanders, which would have marked their 5th win in 6 games.
Unfortunately, a pretty significant error in judgement from Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll resulted in the puck eventually winding up on the stick of Isles franchise defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who made no mistake, freezing Woll in his tracks, and ripping the game winner home in style.
To add insult to injury, the Leafs had nearly ended the game shortly before Schaefer's goal, with a defensive poke check from the Isles almost knocked a puck in past former Leafs netminder David Rittich.

Berube frustrated by Joseph Woll's costly mistake in Leafs' OT loss

After the game, Craig Berube was asked what he thought of Woll's decision not to freezing the puck when it came to him shortly before Schaefer's game-winner, instead keeping the puck alive with several tired Leafs on the ice. His response said it all.
"I would've liked him to freeze it there. The guys were tired, and we would've been better off freezing it, but it is a fast game, and things happen fast."
Berube did his best to hold back, as he knows that the game happens fast and mistakes are made at times, especially for an up-and-coming goalie. Still, you could tell that it was a play that he did not like to see.
The Leafs move to 4-0-2 in their last six games after last night's OT loss, and currently sit just 2 points back of a Wild Card playoff spot.
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JANVIER 4   |   1065 ANSWERS
Craig Berube not happy with Joseph Woll after poor decision results in a Leafs OT loss

Do you think Joseph Woll made the wrong call by keeping the puck in play instead of freezing it with tired teammates on the ice?

Yes85780.5 %
No12111.4 %
Not sure878.2 %
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