Offtopic/fun » side 18-3 in front but then had Andrew

TORONTO -- James van Riemsdyk tugged at the Toronto Maple Leafs logo on his chest, mimicking the celebration P.K. Subban made after an overtime goal two nights earlier. That wasnt a coincidence. Van Riemsdyk was on edge after some taunting from the Montreal Canadiens defenceman but waited until after scoring the game-winning goal Saturday night before letting that emotion show through. It was tension that was building throughout a 5-3 Leafs victory that was a showcase for the rivalry. "Im usually not one to engage in stuff like that, but I was a little bit fired up," van Riemsdyk said. "It just kind of happened." Those are the things that happen when the juices are flowing and emotions are heightened as they were for this game between the Leafs and Habs. Of the 19,667 fans in attendance, more than a few were cheering for Montreal, and it made for a much more raucous atmosphere than usual at Air Canada Centre. "If you dont get shivers and chills on Toronto-Montreal on a Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada, either in Montreal or Toronto, then I dont think you understand the true meaning of the game here in Canada," Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said after his teams season-high fourth consecutive victory. With the teams trading chances back and forth, it was an excellent example of what the NHL is supposed to offer. And even though eight total goals were scored, neither the Leafs Jonathan Bernier (30 saves on 33 shots), nor possible Canadian Olympic starter Carey Price of the Habs (25 saves on 29 shots) could be faulted. Instead, this was a case of two offences getting the job done. Before van Riemsdyk scored the game-winner at 14:27 of the third, Cody Franson, Phil Kessel and Mason Raymond also scored for the Leafs (25-20-5), while Brendan Gallagher, Brian Gionta and David Desharnais scored for the Habs (27-17-5). "Were a team that was pushing the pace and we were skating well," Montreal coach Michel Therrien said. "Individual mistakes cost games. Thats where its disappointing. We give goals. Theyre not even supposed to be scoring chances." But scoring chances were readily available. Toronto centre Nazem Kadri had two of the games best passes, setting up Franson for the Leafs first goal and then Raymond for his on the power play. It was a breakout night for Kadri, who has been the subject of criticism and trade rumours lately. "I wanted to come out and have a big game," Kadri said. "Obviously the magnitude of this game was huge. For us to chase that top spot in the division is still a realistic goal for us." The Leafs victory moved them to within four points of the third-place Habs. They still trail the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins by seven points and have played three more games. But when the focus was on one game against rival Montreal, the Leafs brought close to their A-game. Carlyle called their start by far the best of the season, while Gionta wasnt thrilled with how he and his teammates responded. "The first 10 minutes we were fairly slow getting going, but after that I thought we did a good job of forcing the play and getting some good chances," Montreals captain said. "Its definitely a tough one to lose." It wouldve been a tough one for the Leafs to lose after their strong start and considering the emotional investment. "That was a statement game for this team," Kadri said. "Its the Montreal Canadiens. Theyre one of the better teams in the conference and obviously theyre ahead of us in the division, as well. The rivalry speaks for itself. We wanted to come out here, home ice, and give these fans something to cheer about." Montreal fans had something to cheer about early thanks to stellar goaltending from Price, who kept the Habs in the game despite being out-shot by a wide margin. Chants of "Carey" became jeering ones later on when Leafs fans got on him, loud enough that the goalie at the other end could hear them. "The crowd was pretty amazing tonight," Bernier said. "It felt like a playoff game." No Leafs players were alive the last time the Leafs and Habs met in the playoffs -- 1979. Only Montreals Gionta, Andrei Markov, Daniel Briere and Francis Boullion had been born by then. But a lack of recent playoff history didnt seem to hurt Saturday night, thanks in part to Subban skating by the bench after Gallaghers goal and giving the Leafs some motivation. "He was saying some stuff to our bench and we werent thrilled about that," van Riemsdyk said. "Its hockey. Hes got to do what hes got to do -- hes a great player, its fun to play against players like that. Obviously theres some emotions that were flying around out there." Subban did not speak to reporters after the loss. He was a central topic of conversation in hockey circles since his celebration of an overtime goal against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night brought some criticism. Subban flashed the crest on his jersey a few times before going down the tunnel. Don Cherry said on "Hockey Night in Canada" that "all (Subban) does is pump up the other team." "He has to stop that stuff," Cherry said. "Its absolutely ridiculous." Van Riemsdyk wouldnt even go that far, choosing instead to show Subban up after scoring his 19th goal of the season. "If they wanted to play that game, then well play it, too," van Riemsdyk said. Van Riemsdyk insisted popping his jersey wasnt a pre-meditated act. Instead, it was the release of a build-up of emotions that went beyond just redirecting Tyler Bozaks pass past Price. Asked earlier in the day about goal celebrations, van Riemsdyk said that he preferred an understated approach. His teammates didnt mind when he veered from that just once. "Obviously you get excited when you score," Kadri said. "Thats on JvR -- he likes scoring goals, so more power to him." NOTES -- Joonas Nattinen made his NHL debut for Montreal and played 1:45, all in the first period. Nattinen replaced Rene Bourque, who was a healthy scratch. ... Toronto called up Troy Bodie from its AHL affiliate to replace the injured David Clarkson. Wholesale NHL Jerseys Online . That Ginette Reno can sing. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . He will just have to wait a little longer. Bester grabbed an early lead before Scotlands Darren Burnett took over and ran away with the mens singles lawn bowling final 21-9 on Friday. http://www.cheapnhlcustomjerseys.com/ .com) - Tonight will go a long way in determining the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. NHL Jerseys From China . "Its not done, but its a huge step," Hannover general manager Dirk Dufner said. Poor defending allowed the visitors to score in the second minute, when Leon Andreasens header from Christian Panders cross sent the ball inside the far post. Stitched NHL Jerseys . The Cottagers last victory came in a 2-1 home win over West Ham when Rene Meulensteen was still in charge. Since then, a miserable run of seven defeats and two draws has seen the club part with the Dutch coach and replace him with German Felix Magath.Ulster climbed above Munster into fourth place in the Guinness PRO12 table after defeating leaders Connacht 18-10 on Friday night. The hosts took control of the contest in the first half, as two penalties from Paddy Jackson and a try from Ireland hooker Rory Best gave them a comfortable lead.Connacht rallied and despite hitting the upright with his first penalty attempt, Shane OLeary sent one between the posts in added time in the opening period to reduce the interval deficit to 11-3. Ulster regained control soon after the restart, though, as winger Craig Gilroys try was converted by Jackson.Connacht refused to buckle and scored their only try of the night through replacement Coalin Blade on 54 minutes, with OLeary duly adding the extras.That proved to be the final score of the night with Ulster remaining top of the pile, a situation that could change if Leinster defeat Munster in a game which can be seen live on Sky Sports.Ulster got things going on the scoreboard when Jackson kicked a fifth-minute penalty after Connacht hooker Tom McCartney was penalised for coming in from the side.Gilroy then picked off a loose pass from Bundee Aki and with the visitors trying to run the ball out of their own 22, Ulster won a penalty at the breakdown which Jackson slotted over.The hosts had to work hard to deny Connacht after several dangerous sorties near their line before they began to cause problems of their own again.A penalty given away by Connacht back-row John Muldoon saw Jackson put the ball in the corner and from Franco van der Merwes take, the home side mauled their way over with Best claiming the touchdown, but Jackson failed to convert as his kick hit the post.OLeary also found the upright with a 39th-minute penalty from an Ulster scrum but the fly-half made no mistake with his next shot to close the home sides leadd to eight points at the break.dddddddddddd Skipper Rory Best scored Ulsters opening try Gilroy was on hand to extend Ulsters lead in the second half, however, with the winger keeping an OLeary touch-finder off a penalty in play.Peter Browne took control and then Jacksons pass to Payne led to the full-back off-loading to put Gilroy in at the corner.Jackson converted to put the home side 18-3 in front but then had Andrew Trimble yellow-carded for an intentional knock-on.Connacht, now releasing their bench, then worked substitute Blade over for a well-worked score with the scrum-half scoring off his first touch courtesy of Eoin McKeon and Muldoon.OLearys conversion narrowed it to 18-10 just before Trimble came back. Sky Live: Leinster v Munster Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will be on opposing sides when Leinster face Munster Ulster looked to kill the game off and after being encamped in Connachts 22, Best was held up over the line in the 65th minute before departing for treatment having clashed heads with Matt Healy.OLeary was subsequently shown yellow for a high tackle on Gilroy 10 minutes from time and was quickly followed by substitute flanker Sean OBrien for interfering with a pass two minutes later.But despite being reduced to 13 men, Connacht resisted Ulsters surges towards their line as the clock ticked down.Watch Leinster v Munster on Saturday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 3 HD at 5pm. ' ' '