Don’t tell those Maple Leafs hopefuls toiling Saturday in Detroit it was a meaningless game to wrap the exhibition schedule.

Winger Nick Robertson flew out of the gate, created his own breakaway and though stopped, he scored short-handed and buzzed the net consistently, playing 200-foot hockey in a 6-5 overtime loss.

The battle for the No. 2 goaltending spot heated up when Dennis Hildeby had another strong half-game and James Reimer debuted on his professional tryout contract with a much busier evening against a hot Red Wings’ power play, facing 28 shots.

Marlies captain Logan Shaw had a goal, while three unlikely scorers helped stake the Leafs to a couple of leads. Michael Pezzetta, who didn’t get on the radar much in camp, beat John Gibson low on a breakaway. The fourth–line scrapper

See Full Page