'I'm Not Used To It, That's For Sure': Simon Benoit Embracing Attention After Maple Leafs Overtime Contributions Against Senators

As time passed after Simon Benoit’s overtime-winner for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, his phone continued filling up with messages cheering him on.

The 26-year-old has played an integral role in Toronto’s last two overtime goals. In Game 2, the defenseman intercepted a puck in the Maple Leafs’ end before jumping up in the rush and finding Max Domi, whose goal gave Toronto a 2-0 series lead.

48 hours later, Benoit found himself in an identical position: on the ice during a decisive moment in overtime.

Auston Matthews won the faceoff back to Benoit, who fired a shot through an assemblage of players in front of Ottawa’s net. Benoit’s shot found its way to the net, beating Linus Ullmark and putting Toronto up 3-0 in the series.

“I don’t score much goals, so I would say yeah,” said Benoit after Game 3, when asked if it’s the biggest goal of his life. The second-biggest goal of his life? “Probably peewee or something,” he added with a smile.

“It’s fun. In the playoffs, it’s not always the same guys. It’s fun when other guys get a good goal because it’s so hard to score in the playoffs, so getting that goal was pretty exciting.”

‘I Don’t Score A Lot Of Goals’: Leafs Take 3-0 Series Lead As Simon Benoit’s Heroics Put Senators on the RopesKANATA, Ont. — After scoring the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game-winning overtime goal against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Simon Benoit took the news conference podium and was asked if it was the biggest goal of his life?

What’s it been like for Benoit — and his phone — throughout the days following his overtime-winning goal?

“A couple [messages], that’s for sure,” he laughed on Saturday morning.

“A lot of people support me, which I really appreciate, and it means a lot to me. It’s fun to see that old teammates, old coach, old friends, they still keep track of what you’re doing out there, so it’s fun.”

When asked if he had a favorite message from the loads that he received, Benoit said, “They’re all good. It’s all good. All love.”

Nick Cousins, Senators Issued Fines For ‘Unsportsmanlike Conduct’ In Game 3 Warmups Against Maple LeafsThe NHL has officially handed out disciplinary fines following a pre-game incident in Game 3 of the Battle of Ontario first-round playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators.

The defenseman has had an interesting year, to say the least. It began with him and his girlfriend welcoming a baby daughter during training camp. A new list of responsibilities arrived, including a new sleep schedule.

Benoit’s play at the beginning of this season wasn’t as strong as the previous year, which helped him earn a three-year extension. However, Toronto’s trust in Benoit never wavered.

“I think for me it was a long process this season. I struggled a bit at the beginning of the season. My game wasn’t quite there yet, and management was good enough to just let me take my sleep back and work my way through it,” said Benoit.

“And after Christmas, I think I managed all the things that were happening at home and it’s the best thing that could happen for me. My baby’s just fantastic, and I have a wonderful girlfriend who’s at home, so it’s fun.”

‘She Just Looks At You, Not Really A Word For It, It’s Just Exceptional’: Maple Leafs Defenseman Simon Benoit on Having a Baby Girl, Returning To Training Camp, and Thoughts on New Oreo PartnershipBenoit returned to training camp on Friday after he and his girlfriend, Alice, welcomed their firstborn child, a little girl, into the world on Thursday.

While the biggest storyline entering Game 4 against Ottawa is Toronto having the chance to sweep the Battle of Ontario, the micro story of Benoit has been refreshing. In the playoffs, different players come up big for their team in dire moments.

For Benoit, his back-to-back overtime contributions came with some attention of the good kind.

“I’m not used to it, that’s for sure,” he smiled. “But no, it’s fun. We have the greatest fans out there, so you just have to embrace it.”

Game 4 goes down Saturday night inside the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Let’s see if the Maple Leafs pounce on the chance to sweep the Senators in four games, and if there’ll be another unsung hero for Toronto.

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