NEWS OF MAPLE LEAFS
Last Update:
Sunday October 8, 2000 10:40PM EST
Sunday October 8 2000 Cujo can't be beat
No one in town other than theatre mogul Ed Mirvish produces better opening nights than Curtis Joseph.
The near-flawless Leafs goaltender played a starring role last night in a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, improving his record to 3-0-0 in home openers since 1998.
The first two wins, 2-1 over Detroit and 4-0 over Boston, were portents of 99- and 100-point seasons for Toronto, so last night's debut of Cujo III had a lot of Air Canada Centre denizens plotting for a long spring.
"It's a good omen," a grinning Joseph said after stopping 26 shots in a game that had more whistles than Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
For better or worse, the National Hockey League is sticking to its get- tough policy on slashing and obstruction, leading to a combined 16 power plays, nine unconverted by the Habs.
"Your best penalty killer is your goalie," Bryan McCabe, one of five players making their Leafs debut, said. "To have one of the best three goalies in hockey on my team will help my game. He's wise beyond his (33) years." Shayne Corson watched his former team from the sin bin four times, but was relieved when Jonas Hoglund scored on a 5-on-3 during the first period. The game dragged until Sergei Berezin made a rare 2-on-1 pass to Igor Korolev, then received a nice return before netting the game-clincher with 3:18 to play.
"We get guys with no ice time for long stretches," general manager/ coach Pat Quinn said of working around the penalty parade. "If we can all be patient and get where we hope to go, then this (difficult) period is worth it. We had the right individual (Joseph) step forward tonight."
From his stop on a Trevor Linden wraparound in the first minute to a blocker save on Benoit Brunet prior to the Berezin goal, Joseph was in mid-season form.
"Every time we come here ... it's the same story, Curtis Joseph," Canadiens coach Alain Vigneault said. "That's why he's one of the top five goalies in the NHL. I'm not sure how we're going to get around it."
In losing the 646th meeting of the historic Leafs-Habs rivalry, Vigneault's team fell to 0-2, having absorbed an 8-4 loss in New Jersey on Friday.
Quinn feared his team would be a bit flat after a prolonged ceremony to introduce each Leaf and honour former captain Wendel Clark. And they did play the first seven minutes of last night's game without taking a shot on Jeff Hackett.
Joseph, who played just 11/2 pre-season games because of a groin strain, backstopped various penalty killing units to hold the fort.
"Everyone knew their jobs, even though we had a lot of new faces," Joseph said. "There was a lot of energy and emotion at the start because of the salute to Wendel. When the board of directors scheduled this night, this was the kind of result I'm sure they were counting on."
Needless to say, the penalties taxed the special teams outfits on both sides, so it wasn't strange to see Tie Domi and Corson not only draw minors, but get some power-play work in as well.
The Leafs still had a tendency to overplay the puck during their seven power plays. In fact, captain Mats Sundin surprised Hoglund by eschewing a screen shot on the 5-on-3 and passing to Thomas, who partially whiffed on his shot. But Hoglund knocked the rebound out of the air to score.
"It wasn't our best game, but we'll get lots of (power-play) practice," Hoglund said.
Gary Roberts, bumped from his expected first-line left-wing spot by Hoglund's strong camp and the latter's familiarity with Sundin, received a huge ovation along with Corson during the introductions.
'Tonight was a good sign," Sundin said. "Certainly Curtis looks like he's back to his old self. We'll need it this year."
Toronto will get a day off before playing host to the Dallas Stars tomorrow.
Sunday October 8 2000 Fond farewell for Wendel
Three months ago Wendel Clark said goodbye to his National Hockey League playing career.
Last night, his fans responded by saying thank you.
As Clark stood at centre ice waiting to drop the ceremonial faceoff for the Maple Leafs season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, tears welled in his eyes as the capacity crowd gave him a four-minute standing ovation.
"I called over to Mats Sundin to come into the circle so we could do the faceoff," Clark said. "But he just stood there and let the crowd cheer."
Sundin was not about to spoil the party.
"I wasn't going over there," Sundin said. "He can stand out there by himself."
Eventually Sundin and Canadiens captain Saku Koivu skated over to Clark, who dropped the puck. At that moment, Clark knew he had achieved closure on his career
"When you drop the puck for a faceoff like that, you know it is over," Clark said. "That was going though my mind as it was unfolding."
During the pre-game ceremony, a scoreboard video showed Clark's career highlights, including some of his more memorable goals and fights.
Maple Leafs players then presented Clark with a Gator, a six-wheel farm transport vehicle. On the front of the gift -- which Clark certainly will find a use for on his new farm north of Toronto -- was emblazoned a white maple leaf and Clark's No. 17.
Clark's parents, his wife and his three children were on hand for the festivities.
"It's my father's birthday, too," Clark said.
As Clark sat during the game with Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion and Ontario Premier Mike Harris, Clark's thoughts turned to his new career. He will serve as an ambassador for the Leafs, representing the team in the corporate sector and visiting local schools and hospitals.
"It's going to be a transition," he said. "When you've done the same thing since you've been a kid, play hockey, it's tough to say goodbye."
Saturday October 7 2000 Corson anxious for Leafs tenure against rival Canadiens
"That has been on our minds all summer," Thomas said. "The start of training camp and the regular season is a stepping stone towards the first game of the playoffs.
"Throughout that long journey we're going to try to become a better team and learn from what happened last year."
But captain Mats Sundin said the Leafs can't become consumed by the expectations of their long-suffering fans.
"Our only concern should be to have a good start to the season and take it game by game," he said. "I hope the players realize no matter how good a team we have on paper, we still have to perform and win games."