 Dick Irvin once compared the styles of Syl Apps , previous captain of the Leafs , to Kennedy in how the two centres used their wingers . " Apps used to hit the defense at top speed and Gordie <unk> would come along and pick up the garbage " , said Irvin . Whereas Kennedy would " go into the corners and get the puck out to their wings . " Hap Day had said he could see Nels Stewart 's influence on Kennedy . Like Stewart , Kennedy had a more upright lie on his hockey stick which kept the puck closer to his feet . Kennedy was also widely believed to be the best faceoff man in hockey and would seldom lose an important faceoff . Along with his regular shift , he would also play a role on the penalty kill . 
