Leafs Blow Out Hurricanes

Steve Thomas and Fredrik Modin scored two goals each to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 7-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night.

Steve Sullivan added three assists and Thomas and Mats Sundin had two apiece as Toronto, the NHL’s highest scoring team, reached seven goals in a game for the fifth time this season. The Hurricanes had not given up seven goals since a 7-1 loss to Pittsburgh in 1996 when they were still the Hartfor Whalers.

The Maple Leafs, who were coming off an 8-5 loss to San Jose on Wednesday, put the Hurricanes down 3-0 in the first 8:10.

Carolina Coach Paul Maurice pulled goaltender Arturs Irbe after Toronto scored on its first three shots in a span of 1:39.

Sundin intercepted a clearing attempt by Irbe behind the goal and found Thomas, who ripped a shot into the net at 6:31 of the third before Irbe could get back.

Eight seconds later, Sergei Berezin blasted a shot under Irbe from the left circle to put Toronto up 2-0.

Sullivan set up Toronto’s third goal, stealing the puck from Dave Karpa deep in the Hurricanes’ zone and finding Dave King, who stuffed a shot under Irbe with 11:50 left in the period.

Maurice replaced Irbe with Trevor Kidd after King’s goal and the Hurricanes trimmed the lead to 3-1 just 17 seconds later, Keith Primeau poking a shot past Toronto goaltender Curtis Joseph.