When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Horse squad: Wingers.

Contrary to popular portrayal the witches are silent as they stir their cauldron over an open fire. The three women placed the over sized pot directly on the flames and smothered most of their fire, then they never even tried to build it up more. This bothers Mackenzie Blackwood almost as much as being tied up to a stake with his presumptive master wizard, Keith Kinkaid. Simply put, fire etiquette is of high value in the Blackwood home.

The New Jersey Devils wizards are in a dire straight, although it is not their fault. The pair was sent out alone to investigate a strange magical phenomenon when they were suddenly ambushed by the coven. If they had been supported by some of the other Devils maybe they would have stood a chance, but the witches wielded a powerful and a wild magic that the Devils wizards could not withstand.

“I want to eat their heads first, let the rest ripen.” One of the hags smiles a toothless smile at the wizards as she eyes them up.

“No, no, no, you ninny. Hands and feet come first remember, it makes the faces more chewy.” This witch has no eyes and she cackles wickedly while she stirs the cauldron.

“I say we just throw one in now, and then the other one later.” The third witch only has one hand and also stirs with the largest spoon.

“Or you could not eat us at all.” Mackenzie suggests.

“Please, don’t.” Keith says.

“Not eat you?” The one handed witch says. “What do you expect us to eat then? We already had my arm.” All three witches cackle and keep stirring.

“That was stupid.” Keith says. “They’re witches, they don’t banter with meat.”

“Well then what the hell are we going to do?” Mackenzie asks.

“We wait for the team to come after us. I’m sure someone is already on their way.” Keith doesn’t sound entirely sure. The Devils have not been all that reliable these days.

“I can’t believe this is happening on my first real mission.” Mackenzie says. “I honestly can’t even.” Since they are tied to the same stake it’s hard for Mackenzie to look anywhere but directly into Keith’s eyes so he stares, hard. Keith stares back for a mere moment before he drops his gaze in resignation and shame.

The moon travels across the sky as the night gets older. The witches croon a strange wordless tune laced with sadness and longing. The Devils wait for a rescue which may or may not be coming. At last the toothless witch turns to the captives and pulls out a long knife.

“Time’s come my pretties.” She takes a shambling step toward the wizards.

“May I warm my feet by your fire, sweet maidens?” A voice calls from the darkness outside the fire light.

The witches all turn to face the sound and a single figure emerges from the night. The light gleams off his eyes and his hair shines like spun gold. It is William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs and he approaches the fire with a wide smile. Even the foul vapours bubbling out of the cauldron don’t seem to bother him.

“You must leave this place.” The eyeless witch says.

“Must I? But why?” Wily asks without making any move to leave.

The witches stammer over each other for a moment then seem to forget what they were trying to say. Still holding her knife, the toothless witch sways as she stumbles toward Wily.

“Get us out of here!” Mackezie yells. His voice brings the witches back into themselves. They hiss at Wily and move to surround him.

“How can this be?” The one armed witch asks.

“Who can you be?” The eyeless witch asks.

“What magic has overcome our spells?” The toothless witch demands.

“No magic.” One-eye answers.

“The spell holds.” One-arm confirms.

“Then what is this?” Toothless asks.

“Allow me to explain.” Wily says, unconcerned by the coven around him. “We are familiar with your kind where I am from. As a boy I would hunt witches in the summertime and use their bones to speak with the gods. Your foul magics don’t work on me because my power comes from a greater source than yours. Your doomed and pathetic existence is coming to an end, you just don’t realize it.”

Despite the threat the witches stand enthralled, the young Leaf makes no move to act on his promise, and for a bizarre moment the scene seems like a grim painting. A monster shatters the quiet of the scene. A werewolf, clad in the garb of the Toronto Maple Leafs, rips the head off the one armed witch. The eyeless witch yells out but is quickly silenced by a swipe of the werewolf’s claws. The toothless witch raises her knife and moves to strike at Wily but a spear emerges from her throat before she takes a step.

In an instant the action is done. The witches are down and only Toronto Maple Leafs are left in the circle of fire light. Connor Brown wipes the gore off his spear with the witches robe. The werewolf veers into Patrick Marleau before turning to the Devils wizards.

“You guys are in a tight spot.” Patrick says.