Toskala Hot Again As Leafs Shut Out Thrashers 4-0
Posted December 14, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It wasn’t too long ago that some Leaf fans were decrying the move that brought Vesa Toskala to Toronto. You won’t be able to find many who’ll admit it anymore after the Buds’ number one backstop proved his worth again Friday, earning an easy 4-0 shutout against the Atlanta Thrashers down south.
Toskala managed 24 saves for his second goose egg of the year and the eighth of his career. The game remained scoreless after one period, but the Leafs – who lead the NHL with 44 second period goals – came alive in the middle frame. Boyd Devereaux took advantage of a mistake by Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen, who exited the crease to help a teammate behind the left circle. He took the puck, skated behind the twine and shot it around the right post before the surprised netminder could get back into position.
Mats Sundin beat him again on a pass from Nik Antropov midway through the same period and the Leafs were up 2-0. By the time Alexei Ponikarovsky potted two more in the third, the game was out of reach.
It was a welcome win for the suddenly sizzling Leafs, the first in a seven game road trip and their six win in seven games. Next on the menu is a classic rivalry, as they meet the Canadiens in Montreal on Saturday night.
