Sullivan's confidence put to test

By TIM WHARNSBY -- Toronto Sun Success is the best medicine for Steve Sullivan.
Last year, the Maple Leafs' waterbug centre got on a roll. He went into the Christmas break with two goals and finished the season with 20.
Following the all-star break, Sullivan scored 14 goals in 35 games. Only sniper Sergei Berezin (21 goals in 36 games) and captain Mats Sundin (15 goals in 14 games) enjoyed stronger goal-scoring finishes.
For Sullivan, his success has a simple explanation. For the first time in his career, he was coming to the rink knowing he had a spot in the lineup.
"It used to be I would go to the rink hoping to play," Sullivan said. "Last year, in the second half, I went to the rink hoping to score. That is a big difference."
Sullivan's 20 goals and 40 points in 63 games were career highs. Although he scored just three goals during the Leafs' playoff run, he still was one of the team's better forwards.
"When you start scoring game in and game out, you are as high as the sky," Sullivan said. "I laugh when a player is described as a streaky goal-scorer. You score because you have confidence. You believe in yourself that every time you shoot on net, the puck is going in. That is how I felt during the second-half of the season last year."

Various linemates
Sullivan put up his impressive totals without regular linemates. Throughout the season, he saw some action between Mike Johnson and Derek King, another few games with wingers Berezin and Garry Valk, time on the fourth line and the odd shift on left wing with Sundin and Steve Thomas.
But despite his success last season, Sullivan still is uncertain about his current status.
He has started the season on the fourth line with Tie Domi, with Sundin or Berezin double-shifting for the other spot on that line.
"It's tough because you don't know if you are going to play centre one shift or left wing the next," the 5-foot-9 Sullivan said.
"But it's something that, as the season progresses, the lineup will become settled.
"I play every game to play the next. You have to stay consistent to stay in the lineup. Hopefully, the ice time comes with it."
There also is the threat that Sullivan could be traded. At the moment, the Leafs have too many forwards. Injured centre Alyn McCauley is ready to return and Leafs coach/ general manager Pat Quinn would like to trade a forward or two so youngsters Kevyn Adams and Nikolai Antropov can be promoted from St. John's
"Absolutely, I'm uncertain," Sullivan said. "I don't know if I going to play or where I'm going to play or if I'm still going to be here."

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