Justin Pogge benched as Toronto Marlies eliminated from playoffs

The Justin Pogge era in Toronto is over. It's over before it even really began. Because Justin Pogge, the young goaltender anointed "the next one," sucks.

In the biggest game of the season, with the fate of the Toronto Marlies hanging in the balance, Pogge, the "future" between the pipes for the Toronto Maple Leafs, found himself on the bench. Adam Munro got the start. He played well, but it wasn't enough. The Marlies are joining the Leafs on the greens. The Marlies lost the contest 4-2 and the series by the same margin. They were up 2-1 heading into the third period last night, but couldn't hold on. Toronto was outplayed, and out-shot by a wide margin, so in the end, it was a just result. Me, I just can't get over the failure that is Pogge. These were the playoffs for the youngster to send a message to Leafs General Manager Brian Burke, and co. A message that he can be trusted; that he can carry the torch. Well, Pogge sent a message, alright; he doesn't have the goods. He doesn't even deserve to be Vesa Toskala's back-up next season. If Pogge's still the future in the crease in Toronto, the future isn't too bloody bright. Here's hoping the Vancouver Canucks win the Stanley Cup, Roberto Luongo tests the free agent market in July 2010, and becomes a Maple Leaf after Burke offers him a boatload of money and a key to the city. Toronto needs a God damn goalie. And it ain't Pogge ...