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TORONTO - It only took Matthew Lombardi one game to erase the memories of a season hed just as soon forget. The veteran centre scored a short-handed goal in his first game in almost a year to help the Toronto Maple Leafs get off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. Lombardi only played two games with Nashville last season before suffering a concussion that left him wondering about the future of his career. Acquired over the summer in a four-player trade, his tenure in Toronto got off to a dream start. "It was almost like (the puck) was waiting for me just to put it in," said Lombardi. "It felt unreal, I didnt know what to do. It kind of happened so fast. You know, it was pretty awesome. Its hard to explain." The goal gave the Leafs a shot of life after a lacklustre opening period that saw Montreal outshoot them 14-4. On the goal, Lombardi and Mike Brown raced in on a short-handed 2-on-1 before Lombardi swooped around the net and knocked a loose puck behind Carey Price. He celebrated his first goal since April 16, 2010 by skating straight to the Leafs bench and jumping in the arms of teammates. "I didnt know what to do man, it was the worst celebration of all time," said Lombardi. "But it was pretty cool." The goal gave the Leafs the same kind of feel-good story they enjoyed late last season with the emergence of James Reimer. Now the No. 1 goalie, Reimer picked right up where he left off by registering his fourth career shutout with 32 saves. He wasnt particularly pleased with his performance during the exhibition schedule, but felt comfortable when the games started counting again. "Thats why you cant take too much out of pre-season," said Reimer. "Honestly, I just felt like I wasnt getting the bounces (then) and tonight I felt that I was. You have to get pretty lucky to get a shutout. "I thought I played pretty good tonight, but at the same time they could have had three goals." Dion Phaneuf had the other goal for the Leafs, who also opened last season with a victory over Montreal. The Habs were stymied by Reimer during the first period — Max Pacioretty was denied early off the rush while a rebound after P.K. Subbans one-timer was swept off the post — and couldnt maintain their effort after falling behind. "(It was) a real strong first period where we had several good scoring chances — we had good support, we attacked the net, got some rebounds," said coach Jacques Martin. "But once they got the short-handed goal we got away from playing our game and they took advantage of it." Added forward Mike Cammalleri: "We just werent good enough in the second period. We were complacent." Price did everything he could to keep Montreal in it. Joffrey Lupul found himself alone in front for a glorious opportunity early in the third period, but Price got his glove on the point-blank chance to keep it 1-0. Phaneuf finally gave the Leafs the insurance goal they needed by taking a Phil Kessel pass off the rush and hammering a one-timer past the Habs goalie at 4:42 of the final period. "He has that heavy, heavy shot, you know what I mean?" Reimer said of Phaneuf. "It was a snipe. Im just glad I wasnt in there." Fans at the Air Canada Centre cheered wildly as time ticked off the clock for a Toronto victory that was low on style points. Coach Ron Wilson wasnt expecting anything less with a patchwork lineup that included forward David Steckel, who was acquired in a trade from New Jersey on Tuesday and did a fine job by winning 18-of-25 faceoffs. There was no hiding the fact the team has a lot to work on. "Up front, weve got to do a better job," said Wilson. "We turned too many pucks over. But considering thats the first time this whole group — the one we had on the ice — has actually played a game together and we won, I dont have any complaints." Lombardi remains something of a wild card for a team that is desperately in need of improvement up the middle. He only managed to get in one pre-season game and acknowledges that hes not yet back to the form that saw him register 53 points two years ago. However, scoring in his Leafs debut was certainly an encouraging sign. "It takes away any doubt that he might of had in his mind about where he stands in his career right now," said Wilson. Notes: It was the 709th meeting between the teams dating back to 1917 ... Montreal defenceman Chris Campoli left with a lower-body injury during the second period and was seen on crutches after the game ... The Habs were without Andrei Markov (knee), Blair Betts (lower body), Lars Eller (shoulder) and Alexei Emelin (healthy scratch) ... Tim Connolly (upper body), Nazem Kadri (knee), Clarke MacArthur (suspension), Colton Orr (healthy scratch) and Cody Franson (healthy scratch) sat out for Toronto ... Announced attendance was 19,606. cheap nfl jerseys for sale . Its a sign of just how much has changed for Hinchcliffe in a very short period of time. He wasnt even in IndyCar two years ago, when he was a guest commentator for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway radio team during the race. nfl jerseys for sale cheap . -- With owner Tom Gores seated courtside, the Detroit Pistons looked at least somewhat like a team that could be tough to play against during the second half of the season. http://www.nfljerseysforsalecheapmall.us/.J. -- Tim Tebow stood on the sideline with a cap on and his hands in his pockets as Jets fans chanted his name. jerseys nfl cheap for sale . The Springboks hammered Argentina 73-13 in Johannesburg for the largest win ever in the competition, but the Pumas showed a much more combative spirit this time in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Malvinas Argentinas stadium. "It was an all different team today," Steyn said. nfl jerseys cheap . Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger called Mourinhos repeated attempts to downplay Chelseas Premier League title prospects a "fear to fail.OTTAWA -- Erik Karlsson is obviously a big hit with hockey fans. The Ottawa Senators player is first among defenceman with 585,000 votes in fan balloting for this years all-star game in the Canadian capital. Voting is scheduled to end Wednesday. Then again, Karlsson has been impressive on the ice. He leads NHL defenceman in scoring with 37 points in 40 games and logs an average of more than 25 minutes per contest. But perhaps the Swedes best ability is to make things happen. He has a knack for being able to find space in the tightest of quarters. "Its a natural part of his game, but he also works at finding those spaces," said Senators veteran defenceman Sergei Gonchar. The 37-year-old Gonchar joined the Senators last season and its no coincidence he sits beside Karlsson in the dressing room. "We talk about the game and different situations and we share a lot of thoughts," said Gonchar. "I try to share some of my experience, but hes doing fine on his own. "He has all the skills." Gonchar said he was impressed with Karlsson long before arriving in Ottawa. "I recognized right away how good he is," Gonchar said. "He has all the tools, all the potential. "One of the things that has surprised me is how quickly hes developed. Sometimes it takes a little longer but it seems hes ahead of the pattern." Karlsson, for one, realizes hes talented but it would be a real stretch to call him conceited. If anything hes just self-confident. "He has that mentality to want to be the guy and always has been," said Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, who acted as Karlssons billet during the young Swedes rookie season. "He doesnt shy away from it. "Hes not afraid to make mistakes but he knows he can rely on his speed to make up for those sometimes. Some of the backchecks hes had have been his own fault but he has been unbelievable and he recoverrs himself so the coach cant really say anything after that.dddddddddddd" Earlier this week Senators coach Paul MacLean acknowledged Karlssons penchant for taking risks. But MacLean said for the most part the club has been pleased with his development. "We said wed like to play him 30 minutes but we want to make sure theyre all for us," MacLean said. "Well only play him 15 if hes going to play 15 for us and 15 for them. "Right now, hes playing 27 (minutes) for us and we like that." Karlsson likes where his game is at but, predictably, is looking to get better. "I try to take it one step at a time and I feel good out there," he said. "Hopefully Ill be an even better player by the end of the year." Karlsson, 21, is in the final year of his entry level contract and with a cap hit of just US$1.3 million is considered a bargain. But theres no doubt the Senators will have to pay more to keep Karlsson. Earlier this year the Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed Victor Hedman to a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $20 million. "I was happy for him and hes a big part of their team and he deserves that contract," Karlsson said of Hedman. "Its good for him and hopefully I can get something similar." A new contract would certainly help Karlsson on a personal level, too. He and his girlfriend of three years will be getting married this summer. "Some guys are ready at 35, some at 25, but I feel Im ready now," said Karlsson. "Ive done my fair share of things in life and I think Im in a position where its the right thing to do." NOTES: Defenceman Chris Phillips is out indefinitely due to a mild concussion suffered against the New Jersey Devils on Monday night . . . Centre Jesse Winchester remains sidelined with a concussion and has no timetable for a return despite having come back to the ice for some skating. ' ' '
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