Leafs Win A Wild One In New York

Who says two days off the ice and lots of turkey is not a good recipe for victory? Well it may work but it is doubtful that Coach Pat Quinn thinks it is the most effective method after watching his team squander 4-1 and 5-2 leads during the coarse of the game. In a wild back and forth match between two teams that have played each other four times in under a month, defense was put on the back burner for high scoring, free wheeling offense. The game also involved a simultaneous goaltending switch at the beginning of the third. The Rangers pulled Mike Dunham as he looked somewhat shaky during the first two periods and the Maple Leafs pulled Trevor Kidd after he apparently experienced a groin pull during play in the second period.

The Maple Leaf defense corps has been chipping in offensively all year and all of a sudden they find themselves fourth in the league among defense corps in scoring. Rick Jackman and Ken Klee both scored last night helping the Leafs to a sweep of the season series with the Rangers.

Mats Sundin continued his late game heroics by scoring the winning goal in overtime with a hard shot the just dribbled over the goal line. With that overtime goal, Sundin’s thirteenth career overtime goal, he ties Steve Thomas for the all time overtime goals lead. Sundin also leads all players this season with nineteen third period points solidifying him as a clutch performer in key situations when the game is on the line.

Matt Stajan made a strong play on Ken Klee’s goal in the second period. Stajan established a spot behind the net and picked up the loose puck. Fighting off a much larger Eric Lindros, Stajan got out infront and centered a pass to Klee who was in the high slot. Klee quickly one timed the pass and blasted it by New York goaltender, Mike Dunham.

Late in the game Robert Reichel went down with an injury after taking a blindside hit from Darius Kasparaitis. Upon further examination, Reichel was diagnosed with a separated shoulder. It was popped back into place although; it is not yet known how many games he is expected to miss. This is a big blow to the Leafs as Reichel helped solidify the third line along with Tucker and Domi. Harold Druken will likely be inserted in Reichel’s spot during his absence.

The Leafs are right back at it tonight against the Islanders when they will try to stretch their point streak to seventeen games.