Maple Leafs Finally Get A Win

Considering the name calling, finger pointing, and “sky is falling” remarks in the Leaf Land this past week, the Maple Leafs needed a win against the Atlanta Thrashers in the worst possible way. For a change though, the Maple Leafs put forth an effort that made them appear as though they expected to win instead of hoping not to lose. What a difference it made as they put together a controlled and robust sixty minute effort defeating the Thrashers by a score of 4-2.

Andy Wozniewski opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs in the first period on a very strange play that saw a point shot ricochet of the skate of a Thrashers’ defenseman, then bounce off the end glass onto the top of the net and then off the back of Thrashers’ netminder Johan Hedberg before falling into the net. The Maple Leafs built their lead to two goals late in the opening period when Kyle Wellwood set up Alex Steen on a tremendous individual effort getting around the Thrashers’ defense. Steen’s goal ended an eleven game goal scoring drought for the third year forward.

In the second period, the Maple Leafs continued their strong play adding to their lead when Mats Sundin scored his eleventh goal with a backhand shot at 15:18. Ilya Kovalchuk responded before the end of the middle frame with his league leading twentieth goal of the season to draw the Thrashers to within two goals.

Heading into the third period up two goals, the Maple Leafs’ defensive play did not let them down as it often has throughout the course of this season. Atlanta only managed seven shots against Vesa Toskala, who came up with several difficult stops down the stretch to preserve the Maple Leafs’ lead. Matt Stajan contributed another solid defensive effort and got back on the score sheet with a big goal to put the Maple Leafs up 4-1 six minutes into the final period.

The Maple Leafs return home to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night as they look for their second consecutive win.