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Miettinen lifts Stars past Maple Leafs

Nov 24, 2007 - 5:34 AM DALLAS (Ticker) -- Antti Miettinen did not need any help to score the eventual game-winning goal on Friday night.

With 4:29 remaining in the second period, Miettinen stole the puck from defenseman Tomas Kaberle, skated in and beat Vesa Toskala to lift the Dallas Stars a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday.

It was Miettinen's second goal of the season and first since October 10.

Miettinen, who was sidelined in the third period with a groin injury, was not available for comment after the game.

As for Kaberle, he just wanted to put the episode behind him.

"It was just a misunderstanding from both of us," Kaberle said, referring to teammate Andy Wozniewski's ill-timed pass which led to the turnover.

"Right now, we can't do anything about it but talk it over on the plane."

Jeff Halpern added an empty-net goal with 40 seconds remaining in the third period for Dallas, which improved to 4-0-1 since firing general manager Doug Armstrong and replacing him with former Star Brett Hull and assistant GM Les Jackson as interim co-general managers. During that stretch, Dallas has outscored its opponents, 14-3.

"With new general managers, I think everybody is trying to prove he can play," said Mike Ribeiro, who leveled the contest 3:11 into the second period.

Ribeiro had the puck behind the net before skating out front and wristing the puck off Toskala's left pad and barely across the goal line.

"Tonight it was just two good, real solid individual efforts that got us the win," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said.

Toskala made 21 saves for Toronto, which fell to 1-3-2 in its last six games.

Marty Turco, playing in his first game since November 14, made 18 saves to preserve the victory.

"Turk knows exactly what he's doing," Tippett said. "He gives us a heck of a game tonight, and hopefully going on the road, he'll do the same thing."

Toronto opened the scoring just 3:05 into the first period.

From behind the net, Mats Sundin fed Alexei Ponikarovsky in the slot and the Russian one-timed the puck past Turco to give the Maple Leafs 1-0 lead.