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BOX SCORE
TORONTO (AP) -- Gary Roberts hasn't taken the game for granted
since being forced to retire four years ago.
Roberts, playing his 800th NHL game, scored twice and added an
assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Minnesota Wild 6-1
Wednesday night.
"I had the game taken away at a young age, so every day for me
is a bonus," said Roberts, who missed the entire 1996-97 season
because of a neck injury. "I had two neck surgeries. I was 30. I
retired for 18 months so I'm fortunate enough to play this long. I
just enjoy every day."
The Maple Leafs won their third straight since Roberts joined
Mats Sundin on the top line. Roberts, a free agent acquisition,
struggled before joining the line.
"I'm just learning to relax a bit," said Roberts, in his 15th
season. "Obviously I'm playing with a good player. I'm just trying
to open up the ice for Sundin."
Toronto entered the game with the third fewest goals in the
league, but scored four times in the first period.
Roberts scored on a breakaway just 44 seconds into the game. He
also scored on a wraparound at 17:38 of the first, giving Toronto a
4-0 lead.
Sergei Berezin scored a soft goal at 5:35, flicking the puck
past goalie Jamie McLennan.
Jonas Hoglund, replaced by Roberts on the first line, made it
3-0 after converting a pass from Dmitri Yushkevich at 15:44.
McLennan allowed four goals on just nine shots. He was pulled
after the first period.
"They got five chances to score in the first period, and they
got four goals out of it," Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire said.
Minnesota's Wes Walz spoiled Curtis Joseph's shutout bid with a
breakaway goal with just 1:13 remaining.
Cory Cross and Dmitri Khristich also scored for Toronto. Roberts
assisted on Khristich's goal at 15:59 of the third.
"Gary has had a lot of chances, but they were going in for him
today," Sundin said. "We're going to need scoring from him
throughout the season and into the playoffs."
Game notes
Roberts has 317 career goals. ... Joseph has 288 career
wins. He passed Dan Bouchard (286) for 20th on the NHL career list
last Saturday. ... Wild goalie Manny Fernandez played for the first
time since spraining his right ankle on Oct. 11. ... The Wild have
scored just 17 goals in 10 games. ... Roberts recorded four shots
on net in the first period.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Minnesota Clubhouse
Toronto Clubhouse
RECAPS
Buffalo 4
Carolina 1
San Jose 3
Columbus 1
Detroit 5
Tampa Bay 1
New Jersey 2
Florida 1
Ottawa 3
Pittsburgh 2
Toronto 6
Minnesota 1
Vancouver 6
Dallas 2
Colorado 2
Nashville 1
Atlanta 3
Edmonton 1
Los Angeles 6
Anaheim 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Gary Roberts starts the scoring for Toronto off the pass from Tomas Kaberle.
avi: 786 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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