Toronto Maple Leafs thrash New Jersey Devils 4-1
Jonas Gustavsson turned aside 29 shots and Colby Armstrong scored twice, to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-1 victory over the struggling New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Centre on Sunday night.
Attendance at the game was low due a heavy snow storm in the New York region, and even those who came left early following an announcement about suspension of transport links. However Maple Leafs Head Coach Ron Wilson wasn't too concerned by playing in front
of a near-empty stadium. He said, "I don't know how many fans come to their games anyway. It doesn't matter. You shouldn't be hearing that stuff anyway. These games are tough for the road, to have to travel early in the morning. Our guys were professional
and we were ready."
John Mitchell and Nikolai Kulemin lit the lamp for Toronto, who are 10 points ahead of last-place New Jersey. The lack of spectators, and atmosphere inside the arena might just have been what the Maple Leafs required to pick up a road victory. Armstrong
opened the scoring for the New Jersey Devils in the 14th minute of the first period. Kris Versteeg checked New Jersey’s forward Brian Rolston as he attempted to make a clearing pass from his end. Armstrong won the puck alone in the slot, and hit a shot past Martin
Brodeur.
In the ninth minute of the second period, Mitchell extended Toronto’s lead to 2-0 with Versteeg again involved in the buildup. Versteeg made several clever moves to get himself in front of the net, but his shot was blocked. The rebound fell to Mitchell,
who chipped the puck home for his second goal of the season. With two and a half minutes left in the period, Kulemin gave the Maple Leafs a 3-0 lead. Clarke MacArthur carried the puck into New Jersey’s zone and passed to Kulemin, who fired a shot into net
from the left circle. The Devils then tried to hit back by putting their opponents under concerted pressure, but they were unable to beat Gustavsson.
New Jersey Head Coach Jacques Lemaire pulled Martin Brodeur in the third period, in a bid to give his team some stability at the back. Brodeur allowed three goals on 14 shots. He was replaced by Johan Hedberg, who turned aside 7-of-8 shots. Brodeur took
responsibility for his performance, and said at the end of the game, "When we stop making huge mistakes and I make a couple of saves, we'll be in games,"
Rod Pelley scored what proved to be a consolation goal for New Jersey in a power-play in the 13th minute of the final period. Mark Fayne got the puck at the right point, and found Pelley alone in the left circle. Pelley took the puck and ripped a shot past
Jonas Gustavsson for his first goal of the season. With just over three minutes remaining in the third period, Armstrong scored again to seal the game for Toronto 4-1. Armstrong carried the puck into the New Jersey zone and snapped a wrist shot at Hedberg
for his second goal.
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