Woll nearing return to crowded crease

Leafs have stalls for five goalies at facility

- KEVIN MCGRAN

Before suffering an injury on Dec. 7, Joseph Woll was coming into his own as a bona fide NHL goalie, grabbing the net from Ilya Samsonov.

It speaks a great deal about the state - and the importance of goaltending that the Maple Leafs have stalls for five goalies at the Ford Performance Centre in Etobicoke, and a spare room for two more university-level practice goalies.

"It's goalie camp," deadpanned Joseph Woll, one of three injured goalies trying to make his way back. Woll suffered a high-ankle sprain on Dec. 7 in Ottawa.

"I was in awkward position there and I ended up having to lean over and lean into an awkward position, and my ankle just decided it didn't want to," Woll said. "That's really all I can remember from it."

The rookie was just coming into his own as a bona fide NHL goalie, grabbing the net from a struggling Ilya Samsonov. His .916 save percentage leads the Leafs and is in the top 10 of NHL goalies who have played at least 15 games this season.

He has been a full participant in practice twice this week, and says it's a matter of getting as close to game shape as possible.