October 27, 2009.
IT'S ABOUT TIME! Leafs Nation finally takes a long, gasp of air as the Toronto Maple Leafs get their first victory of the season against the Ducks in Anaheim. The absolute greatest effort the Leafs have given all year led by Jonas Gustavsson, Tomas Kaberle and Niklas Hagman helps the Leafs score five powerplay goals in a 6-3 win for Toronto in a late game on the west coast. Niklas Hagman got his second career hat trick and Tomas Kaberle had a career night scoring one goal and four assists for five points in the effort Leafs fans have expected since the beginning. Lee Stempniak also had a career night scoring a goal and collecting three assists for four points. Mikhail Grabovski scored a goal, and Matt Stajan also had three assists.
Jonas Gustavsson made 25 saves as the "Monster" has stood out as the new starting goalie for the Maple Leafs. With former starter Vesa Toskala injured, Gustavsson's quick recovery paved the way for a start against the Ducks tonight while temporary starter Joey MacDonald found himself on the bench backing up the new team starter. There have been rumours circulating lately that the Toronto Maple Leafs were ready to be involved in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks in which Jean-Sebastien Giguere would go to Toronto, with Vesa Toskala going the other way. This could only make sense should Gustavsson not emerge as the starting goalie with the Leafs. After tonight, however, the trade rumours and the Leafs jokes will fall silent as it appears we have finally found our netminder, should the "Monster" remain consistent.
The Leafs will spend the night in Anaheim and then travel to Dallas tomorrow for a game Wednesday night against the Stars. This game has an 8 p.m. start Eastern time, with Jonas Gustavsson expected to start for Toronto and Marty Turco for the Dallas Stars.
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