Dein erstes Forum » onsent. Toronto is a team that

Auston Matthews delivered an NHL debut for the ages on Wednesday, scoring four goals on a night that wont soon be forgotten in the rich history of the Toronto Maple Leafs.The 19-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, chosen first overall in Junes NHL draft, scored on his first three shots against the Senators, with the hat trick prompting visiting Leafs fans at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa to throw hats onto the ice.Three was not enough, however.Matthews took a pass from linemate William Nylander on a 2-on-1 break and scored a fourth goal (on just his sixth shot) with three seconds left in the second period, becoming the first player in modern NHL history to score that many in his debut.The Senators went on to win the NHL season opener 5-4 in overtime.Matthews called the night pretty unbelievable.You dont really draw it up like that, he told Sportsnet after the game.It was a record-breaking evening all around for Matthews.The hat trick was the quickest for a player making his NHL debut (since 1943-44). And he became the fifth player overall to notch a hat trick?in his first game, joining Derek Stepan of the New York Rangers (2010), Fabian Brunnstrom of the Dallas Stars (2008), Real Cloutier of the Quebec Nordiques (1979) and Alex Smart of the Montreal Canadiens (1943).Matthews scored on his first shot at 8:21 into the first period, snapping in a pass from Zach Hyman during a scrum around the net.His second goal came with 5:42 left in the first, after he dangled through a pair of Senators near the blue line. After briefly losing possession, he stole the puck from two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson along the boards, then beat goalie Craig Anderson with an odd-angle forehand.Matthews put Toronto ahead 3-2 with a one-timer from inside the right circle on a feed from Morgan Rielly?at 1:25 into the second period.He then netted historic No. 4 with three seconds left in the second period, breaking a 3-3 tie.Despite the historic first game, Matthews took responsibility for the loss after failing to pick up Turris coming into the Toronto zone. Turris took in a pass from Mark Stone with Matthews chasing, set himself and fired a shot by Frederik Andersen.That last play was 100 percent my fault, he said. We came here to win and we didnt get that done.According to Elias Sports Bureau research, Matthews is the third-youngest player with four goals in a game, surpassed only by 18-year-olds Jack Hamilton (1943-44) and Bob Carpenter (1981-82).And at his current pace, Matthews will break Wayne Gretzkys NHL record of 894 goals in late February 2019, during his third NHL season and his 224th NHL game. (Gretzky had 186 goals in his first 224 NHL games.)After Wednesday nights game, however, Matthews downplayed any notion of ratcheted-up expectations.?You dont get too many of those games, said Matthews, the 12th first overall pick to score in his NHL debut. Its just one game. Take it, move forward and focus on the next one. It just happened to be a great night individually, and especially for our line.His parents, Brian and Ema Matthews, were at the game Wednesday night, and the look on their faces after each goal translated pure emotion.It meant a lot, Matthews said of having his parents there. Pretty special moment, not just for myself but for them, as well. They have been a pretty huge part of getting me to this point, so it was only right for them to be here for the first one.?Matthews Mania no doubt already is sweeping the NHL, but dont be in a rush to buy any of his jerseys just yet.The NHLs official store does not have any Matthews jerseys ready to go, so if fans want to purchase one, they have to customize it.The Leafs, who finished 30th overall in the standings in 2015-16, were accused by many of tanking last season in their attempt to secure the best possible odds in the NHL draft lottery to get Matthews. They lost out the previous year in the lottery, with the Edmonton Oilers taking Connor McDavid first overall.This time, the Leafs won the lottery, and there wasnt any hesitation in making Matthews the first overall pick. He is at the heart of a massive rebuild. The Leafs Stanley Cup drought dates back to 1967, and the current regime led by president Brendan Shanahan, general manager Lou Lamoriello and coach Mike Babcock is intent on making this youth movement work.I thought just for me, from my perspective, since Ive been the Leafs coach, thats the best night Ive had since Ive been here by 10 miles, not even close, because now we have an opportunity, Babcock said after Wednesday nights defeat.When you look at [Mitch] Marner -- I know Matthews scored all the goals -- I thought Marner in the first half of the game might have been the best player. I thought Nylander was great. I thought Hyman was great. I thought [Connor] Brown was great. I thought [Sam] Carrick was great. I thought [Nikita] Zaitsev was great. Pretty good night for us. Did we want the other point? Absolutely. The way we controlled the puck and controlled the game, youve got to win, and we didnt.Matthews arrives with a ton of hype in hockeys biggest market, but he has already shown maturity beyond his years.Hes a man, Babcock said. Hes 19 years old but he acts like hes 27. He has great maturity. If you meet his mom and dad, youre thoroughly impressed with the kind of people they are and the respect he has for his mom and sisters, the kind of guy he is.Dont get me wrong, we wouldve drafted him anyway, but that makes him more special.Information from The Associated Press, ESPN Stats & Information and ESPNs Darren Rovell was used in this report.Tyson Jost Avalanche Jersey .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. Lanny McDonald Avalanche Jersey . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-peter-forsberg-avalanche-jersey/ .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. Nathan MacKinnon Avalanche Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Nikita Zadorov Jersey . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres.TORONTO -- Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen says newly acquired midfielder Michael Thomas brings versatility to his MLS club. A motivated Thomas says you can add work ethic to that list. "Im happy to be somewhere where I think Ill get a lot of opportunities and chances to prove myself," a sweat-drenched Thomas said after his first practice with Toronto on Thursday. "It wasnt happening in Kansas City at the time so Im happy to be at a place where were starting to turn things around." The 25-year-old Thomas signed with his hometown club in January 2012 but only appeared in seven MLS matches for Sporting Kansas City. Toronto gave up a second-round pick in the 2015 draft to get him. "The past year and a half has been a little bit frustrating," he acknowledged. "Not playing as much as I would like to. To come somewhere where you know youre wanted really brings a lot of confidence back. I cant wait to get out there and really prove myself." The five-foot-10, 170 pounder describes himself as a centre midfielder, although he has also played centre back. "I consider myself a workhorse in the middle, a two-way midfielder. I can contribute offensively, score goals, get assists, but love to work hard and get back defensively as well. Ive always been complimented about my work ethic and thats what Im going to bring to the table every day. I work my tail off." Thomas was drafted 19th overall by San Jose in the 2010 SuperDraft but elected to follow his dream and sign overseas with Swedish first division team Halmstads BK before moving to fellow Swedish side Ljungskile SK some six months later. "It was a risk but I was willing to take it," he said. "It was a great experience, great country," he said of his two years in Sweden. &"The calibre of play is very good too.ddddddddddddIts more of an aggressive league and direct, but to be able to get over there, play some games and get some experience at a young age was something that was very good for me." Ready for a new challenge, he relished a chance to sign with a Sporting Kansas City team on the rise. He grew up in Olathe, some 20 minutes outside Kansas City. The move also reunited him with former Fighting Irish and local club teammate Matt Besler. "At the time it was a dream come true," he said. He leaves "with all the respect in the world" for Sporting Kansas City, he said. The team seems to share that opinion of him. "Michael has an incredible attitude and work ethic while he was here," KC manager Peter Vermes said in a statement. "The decision was of mutual consent. Toronto is a team that was very interested in him and we wish him all the best with the opportunity." Thomas came to Torontos attention via Notre Dame coach Bobby Clark, who knows Torontos coaching staff and has used TFCs training ground. Thomas scored 19 goals and added 13 assists in 81 starts at Notre Dame. He went to South Bend after helping his high school team to three state titles. Thomas, whose salary is listed at US$60,713 this season, will wear No. 18 at TFC. He wore No. 8 at high school and college and was No. 1 at his local club team growing up. He combined that to be No 18 professionally although he took 88 (the year he was born) in Kansas City because No. 18 was already taken. NOTES -- The days of midfielder Terry Dunfield are indeed over at Toronto. The club has replaced a large photo of the Canadian international, who was cut in mid-June, at its training centre with one of Argentine midfielder Matias Laba. ' ' '