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Blake, Kilger lead Maple Leafs past Coyotes

Sep 20, 2007 - 3:39 AM WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Ticker) -- In the franchise's return to Winnipeg, the Phoenix Coyotes again left the fans disappointed.

Jason Blake forged a tie early in the third period and Chad Kilger snapped it at 12:03 as the Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Coyotes, 3-2, in a preseason contest Wednesday.

The Coyotes franchise spent its first 17 NHL seasons in Winnipeg as the Jets before moving the Phoenix in 1996. With only a portion of the crowd cheering them on, the Coyotes grabbed a 2-1 lead on second-period goals by 2005 first-round pick Martin Hanzal and Daniel Winnik.

But Blake, who signed with Toronto as a free agent in July after an All-Star season with the New York Islanders, forged a tie five minutes into the third. Seven minutes later, Kilger - a former Coyote - converted a pass from Bates Battaglia, beating goaltender Alex Auld from the doorstep at 12:03 for a 3-2 advantage.

Alex Steen netted a power-play goal, defenseman Hal Gill collected two assists and Andrew Raycroft made 20 saves for the Maple Leafs, who host the Coyotes on Thursday.

Auld turned aside 29 shots for Phoenix, which was outshot, 15-8, in the first period.