Farkas' motto: Look ahead, not back
Associated Press
TORONTO -- Jeff Farkas has already learned his first pro
hockey lesson.
|  | | Jeff Farkas says he won't worry about missing two scoring chances in Game 4. |
Two days after making his NHL debut in Game 4 of the Toronto-New
Jersey second-round playoff series, the Maple Leafs' forward has
shrugged off the two fine scoring chances that got away.
With the best-of-seven series tied 2-2, he is concentrating on
his next opportunity as the two teams prepare for Game 5 in Toronto
on Saturday.
"Hopefully, I'll get some more (scoring chances)," Farkas said
following the Leafs practice on Friday. "I found myself growing up
always a goal-scorer and you're usually able to find those spots. I
was fortunate enough to find those spots in the game. And if I get
a chance again, hopefully, I'll find them again."
The 22-year-old forward made his presence known in Wednesday's
3-2 win over the Devils.
Opening on the Leafs' third line, Farkas was promoted to the No.
2 line and eventually generated two scoring chances, his best
coming seconds before teammate Tomas Kaberle got the game-winner.
With two minutes left in regulation, Farkas was at the side
boards when he made a nifty move to get past Devils defenseman
Vladimir Malakhov. All alone cutting to the net, Farkas aimed
between the legs only to be foiled by goalie Martin Brodeur.
"It's a little different now with the goalies," Farkas said.
"It's a step up and he made a great save.
"It was exciting to see myself on TV getting a chance like
that. I wish I would have scored, but maybe it wasn't meant to
be."
Drafted 57th overall by the Leafs in 1997, Farkas signed a deal
with the team last month after completing a successful NCAA career
with Boston College. His NHL debut comes a month after helping the
Golden Eagles reach the NCAA championship game, which they lost to
North Dakota.
A Hobey Baker award finalist for college hockey player of the
year, Farkas finished third in NCAA scoring with 32 goals and 58
points.
He said he drew on his college experience in Wednesday's game.
"I was a little nervous at first," he said. "But that's part
of the game. You've got to be able to have the mentality to calm
that fear you have and go out there and play like you know how to
play."
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