Toronto Maple Leafs struggle in attack as Winnipeg Jets hold on for 2-1 win - NHL Update
After winning three in a row, Toronto Maple Leafs cooled off in offence once more as they lost out to the struggling Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at the MTS Centre.
The Leafs who had finally entered into the playoff spots with a string of big victories over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and the Edmonton Oilers could not continue their run and the loss sees them remain just a point ahead of fierce rivals Ottawa
Senators.
The victory could not have come at a better time for the Winnipeg Jets who ended a two game skid. The Jets remain in playoff contention but are still adrift by five points with a 25-24-6 record and 56 points.
Jets coach Claude Noel who urged his team to regain their scoring touch got his wish as his side held off the Maple Leafs.
"We don't particularly care who it comes from as long as we get a little more than one," Noel said.
Winnipeg who will travel once more after this game hoped that the victory will become a springboard to success away from home.
Centre Bryan Little who scored the winner said after the game:
"We haven't been pretty good on the road but hopefully this win will kind of set things in motion, We have another big road trip coming up and we need these points. Every game is going to be important for us."
Toronto were surprisingly lethargic on the attack as they were outshot 29-18. After winning their last two games by big margins of 5-0 and 6-3 the Leafs struggles in attack were unusual and goaltender James Reimer who was rested for the game was disappointed
in his team’s inability to score.
"It was disappointing. I felt like we had the chances and we controlled most of the play," he said. "We just couldn't find any good scoring chances in tight. Kudos to them for blocking up the net."
Toronto took the lead in the first period. Right wing, Phil Kessel put the visitors ahead with a brilliant finish at 11:06 to score his 30th goal of the campaign.
However, it took the Jets just three minutes to equalise. Chris Thorburn did the honours as he took a pass from Zach Bogosian and backhanded the ball past Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson.
The Jets went ahead in the second period. Bryan Little put in the winner at 9:47 for his thirteenth goal of the season after good work in the build-up by Blake Wheeler and Johnny Oduya who got the assist.
Winnipeg will now face two away games starting with a visit to the Washington Capitals on Thursday, February 9th while the Maple Leafs will look to get back to winning ways with a visit to the high flying Philadelphia Flyers.
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