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Leafs edge Panthers 2-1 after shootout
2006-10-10
The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame an inspired performance from Florida goaltender Alex Auld to beat the Panthers 2-1 after a shootout on Monday. Auld, who got the start ahead of former-Leaf Ed Belfour, stopped 47 of 48 Toronto shots to force the shootout with the scores tied at 1-1 after overtime. Mats Sundin and Darcy Tucker scored in the shootout to earn the Leafs the win. "There's a lot of lucky bounces," Auld told reporters. "Sometimes the hockey gods are on your side I guess." After two scoreless periods, Stephen Weiss converted a powerplay just under four minutes into the third to give Florida a 1-0 lead. But Kyle Wellwood hit back for Toronto, charging down the wing before ripping a slapshot past Auld to send the contest into overtime. After a scoreless extra session, it was Leafs goaltender Andrew Raycroft's time to shine, stopping both Florida shooters. "We showed a lot of character, when they scored the first goal we hung in there," said Sundin. "Really it's almost nicer to win this way when you battle as hard as we did. We played a very strong game and found a way to win." In Tampa, Kari Lehtonen made 34 saves to post his second consecutive shutout and Slava Kozlov had the game's only goal lifting the Atlanta Thrashers to a 1-0 win over the Lightning. The Thrashers blanked the Florida Panthers 6-0 on Saturday. In Columbus, Nikolai Zherdev scored twice and Pascal Leclaire made 23 saves as the Blue Jackets beat the Phoenix Coyotes 5-1. Zherdev and Ed Jovanovski traded first period tallies before the Blue Jackets added a pair of goals in the second and third. Anson Carter, Duvie Westcott and Rick Nash, with his third of the season, also found the net for Columbus. (Writing by Steve Keating) Muzi.com News
Maple Leafs hand Sabres first regulation loss of season (2006-11-05)Evgeni Malkin, Penguins looking special (2006-10-25)Leafs edge Panthers 2-1 after shootout (2006-10-10)Devils Ride Hot Streak to Division Title (2006-04-19)NHL: Sharks 8, Maple Leafs 5 (1999-03-25)
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