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King nets go-ahead goal as Blues beat Thrashers

Sep 23, 2007 - 1:49 AM By Justin Hanover PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- D.J. King spoiled Marian Hossa's preseason debut by scoring a go-ahead goal early in the third period, leading the St. Louis Blues to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday.

King was on a partial breakaway and was being hooked from behind, but he still managed to beat goaltender Johan Hedberg low to the left side just 3:08 into the third to snap a 2-2 tie. The fifth-year left wing helped St. Louis gain a measure of revenge after they fell, 3-1, to the Thrashers on Sunday.

King's goal ruined a solid performance by Hossa, who netted both of Atlanta's goals in his first preseason appearance. The Slovakian's first goal came just under four minutes into the first period, giving the Thrashers the early 1-0 lead.

Hossa, who recorded a team-high 43 goals and 57 assists last season, planted himself in front of the net and beat Juuso Riksman after the netminder allowed a rebound. The Finnish netminder stopped defenseman Niclas Havelid's initial shot from the right point but could not deny Hossa's rebound chance.

Midway through the second period, Hossa greeted new goalie Hannu Toivonen rudely by lifting a wrist shot over the Finn's shoulder for a shorthanded goal. The tally, which gave the Thrashers a 2-1 edge, came less than a minute after Toivonen replaced Riksman in net.

Martin Kariya had tied the game at 4:09. Hedberg denied defenseman David Tanabe's wrist shot but was caught out of position by Kariya, who set up David Perron's tally with 89 seconds to go in the session by sending him in on a partial breakaway with a perfect feather pass up the ice.

Keith Tkachuk, who was acquired by the Thrashers from the Blues late last season and helped lead Atlanta to its first playoff berth, returned to St. Louis in the offseason as a free agent. He made his presence felt early on with a couple of first-period penalties and also assisted on Perron's goal.

Riksman allowed one goal on 11 shots for St. Louis before being replaced by Toivonen, who also made 10 saves.

Hedberg stopped 23 shots for the Thrashers.

Atlanta goaltender Kari Lehtonen did not play because of a lingering groin injury.