David Clarkson scores in Overtime to lift New Jersey Devils over Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 -NHL Update
With only 2:20 remaining in overtime, David Clarkson of New Jersey made the game-winning goal by making his way around the Toronto defenseman to lift the Devils over the Maple Leafs, 3-2, on Tuesday night, December 6, 2011, at the sold-out Air Canada Centre
in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
With a strong start to the first period, New Jersey got two quick goals that eventually mean keeping them alive throughout the 60 minute contest as Toronto blocked them out in the remaining time period to level the match and force a overtime extension.
Ilya Kovalchuk made the first only 5:03 into the opening period while taking advantage of their initial power play opportunity with Toronto missing, John-Michael Liles due to a minor penalty for high-sticking.
David Clarkson got his eighth of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season nearly four minutes later to extend the lead on another added man advantage, this time with Tim Connolly on the benches for slashing along with ending his seven-game
scoreless drought.
Getting two in one night when he could not score a single in the past seven contests, Clarkson was eccentric as the team managed to snap their four-game losing streak.
"It's a win we needed. When you come home, you get that feeling," said Clarkson. "I don't know what it is, but I love playing back here in Toronto. Coming back to my family, it's one of those games where you get that little bit of jump in your step. I had
a lot of tickets tonight, a lot of people here. It went pretty quiet in here when that went in. I had no idea it went in myself. I was just waiting for someone else to celebrate first, but it's a great feeling. Zubrus made a great pass and Marty (Brodeur)
played unbelievable for us tonight."
Phil Kessel potted his 17th of the season a little over midway through the second, followed by Matt Frattin in the opening two minutes of the final period to level the match.
New Jersey will certainly be hoping to keep the momentum going when they host the Ottawa Senators on Thursday while the Maple Leafs will travel to Washington to face the Capitals on Friday.
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