Ryan Tverberg broke a late tie in the third period to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-2 preseason victory against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday. The forward converted a snap shot with 4:17 left in regulation to push Toronto ahead for good in an exhibition matchup between provincial rivals.
Following a scoreless opening period, Henrik Rybinski gave Toronto the lead at 3:51 of the second on a power-play snap shot set up by Vinni Lettieri and Nick Blankenburg. Dylan Cozens answered for Ottawa unassisted with a wrist shot at 6:18 of the middle frame to level the score. The teams stayed tied at one goal apiece heading into the final period.
Steven Lorentz pushed Toronto back in front at 10:01 of the third period with a tip-in goal assisted by Marshall Rifai and Brandon Duhaime. Just 41 seconds later, Ottawa responded again when Hoyt Stanley scored on a backhand shot off passes from Tomas Hamara and Claude Giroux. Tverberg then netted the decisive goal at 15:43 off feeds from Jacob Quillan and Blake Smith, before Teddy Blueger added an unassisted empty-net goal on the power play with eight seconds remaining.
Anthony Stolarz recorded the win for Toronto by stopping 19 of 21 shots faced. Linus Ullmark took the loss for Ottawa after allowing three goals on 23 shots before the empty-netter. Toronto capitalized on special teams by converting two of five power-play chances, while Ottawa went scoreless on two man-advantage opportunities.
