Tremendous 3rd Period Carries Leafs To Victory In Dallas

A poor first and second period were quickly forgotten among fans and media members alike after an outstanding third period allowed the Leafs to pick up their second victory in the fourth game of a five game road trip. Overall, the Leafs played their best game of this young season. A number of unproductive players including Sundin, Nieuwendyk, and Nolan began showing signs of life which is really important for the Leafs offensive attack.

Contrary to the way they played Monday against the Islanders, the Leafs, especially in the third period, had a much more dominant offensive attack. They were able to produce several good chances in the third period along with 14 shots. If it was not for a number of great saves by Dallas netminder Marty Turco, as well as the shot Nolan rang of the goal post, the Leafs would have scored a few more goals in this game.

Defensively, the Leafs were much tighter tonight. Players were backchecking and defensemen were recognizing their assignments and completing them with success. Tomas Kaberle played a very solid game. He played very well defensively as well as adding an assist on Joe Nieuwendyk’s game winning goal. He made a strong defensive play late in the third period with Dallas trying to tie the game. Stu Barnes was behind the net and tried a fancy play by attempting to put the puck off the back of the net and regain control once he was around Kaberle. Kaberle recognized his size advantage over Barnes and effectively took him out of the play against the boards.

Players like Sundin, Nieuwendyk and Nolan who were not producing began to show signs of regaining their offensive touch. Nolan rattled a shot off the post in the third period. Sundin and Nieuwendyk combined on the game winner recording Sundin his first point of the season.

Belfour was rock solid down the stretch. He stood his ground during a chaotic goal mouth scramble with a minute remaining in the game which saw him make two or three key saves to preserve the one goal lead. Robert Reichel would add an empty net goal before the game was done.

The Leafs will roll into Phoenix for the final game of their five game road trip. Should the Leafs win tomorrow’s game, it could quickly change what looked to be a terrible road earlier in the week into a pretty successful one by the end.