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TORONTO -- Relief came in the form of James Reimer lifting his arms after making a shootout save on Antonie Vermette. By beating the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 in a shootout at Air Canada Centre on Thursday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs shook off the gloom and doom of recent struggles. "It hasnt been a good feeling around here the past couple days," said winger Joffrey Lupul, who scored the shootout winner. "Its funny how even with an ugly, grind-it-out win like that, you come to the rink tomorrow feeling a lot better about yourselves." The Leafs (18-16-3) can feel better about themselves beyond shootout goals by Lupul and James van Riemsdyk and a couple of stops in that competition from Reimer, who made 34 saves in regulation and overtime. Instead, this was a victory to savour for stronger play in regulation and the elimination of the kind of mistakes that led to 10 losses in their previous 13 games. "I thought individually guys really limited our turnovers and the chances we gave up for them to try and get opportunities," said centre Peter Holland, who assisted on Troy Bodies first-period goal. "It just goes to show that when we do execute what we plan on doing, things will fall into place for us." Maybe it was about time. Coach Randy Carlyle spent eight-plus hours at the rink Wednesday with the coaching staff on a day off for players devising what he hoped was a plan to turn the Leafs fortunes around. Presented at the morning skate was a blue print that included a harder forecheck and more aggressive defensive zone play. For the most part, the Leafs followed that against Phoenix (18-10-6). A strong forecheck was evident on Bodies first goal of the season and first in a Leafs uniform, thanks to work from Holland and Jerry DAmigo. The puck got out to defenceman Cody Franson at the point, and Bodie was in a perfect spot to put the rebound in on Canadian Olympic candidate Mike Smith. "(Forechecking is) something weve been stressing," Bodie said. "I think we did a good job of it on the goal. We got a good dump and we had two guys in on it right away and then the third guy joined. We were able to come out with it." Tighter defence than Toronto displayed in a loss two days earlier to the Florida Panthers helped the lead stand up until Martin Hanzal scored 15:08 into the third. Reimer, who started only because Carlyle said Jonathan Bernier was dealing with an unspecified "ailment," was satisfied with how his teammates contained the Coyotes and rebounded from a frustrating loss to Florida. "We all make mistakes," Reimer said. "We sometimes dont show up in a way we want to. I think youre judged on how you respond. I thought we did a great job tonight. We really came collectively and everyone bought in." Reimer turned aside attempts from Radim Vrbata and then Vermette in the shootout, but it was Smiths almost-save on van Riemsdyk in the first round that caused a lengthy review. Referee Paul Devorski assured Coyotes coach Dave Tippett that "110 per cent" it was in the net, and video review found it inconclusive so the goal stood. "Youve got to take him for his word," Tippett said. Devorski never signalled that it was a goal on the ice, which caused Smith some confusion. "He came and whispered it in my ear like its a goal, and he didnt really give a signal that it was," Smith said. "He made the call, he said he saw it go in. Its unfortunate, but thats the way it goes." Like the Leafs, the Coyotes were satisfied with an improved performance, despite this being their third straight loss. "We definitely took some good things out of that game," said Smith, who made 26 saves. "Its not all bad. We did a lot of good things well in the third period there to give ourselves a chance to get a point. As long as were in games, were giving ourselves a chance to win hockey games, I think well be pleased with it." Toronto didnt play perfectly, but players were nonetheless pleased with not only the result but the five-on-five play throughout regulation. "I thought we were pretty strong for pretty much the full 60 and we did things the right way, so that was definitely an improvement," van Riemsdyk said. "We stayed patient, kept it simple and guys did their job, guys battled hard. It was a good two points." Reimer was critical of his teammates after the loss to the Panthers, saying that some or all of the Leafs players dont show up for the entire game. Given how long he paused before delivering that answer Tuesday night, it was well thought-out. "Obviously I was frustrated, but I try and always answer (with) the way Im feeling -- in an honest way," Reimer said Thursday night. "Whether Im frustrated or whether Im happy, I try and answer objectively. I just answered how I thought I saw it." Relief was all over Reimers face after beating the Coyotes, and his words backed that up. "Really proud of the way the guys worked," he said. "They put in an honest effort. It was just a good game all around. I thought we played solid for 60 minutes." NOTES -- Gilbert Brule was in the lineup for the Coyotes, his first NHL appearance since May 15, 2012. Tippett said Brule, who played 12:39, was "flying" in his Phoenix debut ... Defenceman Mark Fraser and Paul Ranger and tough guy Frazer McLaren were healthy scratches for the Leafs. ... Phoenix recalled defenceman Rostislav Klesla on Thursday morning to replace Zbynek Michalek, who returned to Arizona to undergo further evaluation of a lower-body injury. Charley Taylor Youth Jersey . The Extreme Heat Policy was enacted at Melbourne Park just before 2 p.m. Thursday, suspending all matches on outer courts until the early evening and requiring the closure of the retractable roofs at Rod Laver and Hisense arenas before play could continue on the show courts. Derrius Guice Redskins Jersey . Bach, a 59-year-old German lawyer, was elected Tuesday as president of the International Olympic Committee. He succeeds Jacques Rogge, who stepped down after 12 years. Bach, the longtime favourite, defeated five candidates in a secret ballot for the most influential job in international sports, keeping the presidency in European hands. http://www.redskinsrookiestore.com/Redskins-Dwayne-Haskins-Jersey/ . While he was away, it was the division-rival Baltimore Orioles conducting a little business of their own, scooping up Ubaldo Jimenez on Monday evening to a reported four-year, $50-million contract. Landon Collins Jersey . But Paul Osbaldiston, Hamiltons assistant special teams and kicking coach, said the team still relished the championship game workout. Washington Redskins Jerseys .Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday it is inevitable that the league will one day take after European sports and have sponsor names on team jerseys.TORONTO -- Its been a tough pre-season for the Boston Celtics, but rookie Kelly Olynyk is still finding ways to impress. After a 99-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, his Celtics coaches and teammates have only positive things to say about the Toronto-born rookie. "Highly skilled," Jeff Green said. "Hes tremendously skilled. He can shoot the ball, hes got good range. He can run the floor and pass. For a guy just being in his first year hes very skilled for his position." Olynyks hometown debut turned into a Raptors victory when Terrence Ross scored 19 points and Landry Fields added 14 points to lead Toronto to its third straight win. Olynyks first trip home in an NBA uniform, even during pre-season, was one he had been waiting to cross off his calendar. "It was special," said Olynyk, who has played in the ACC before as a member of Canadas national team. "It felt good to get out on the court I grew up watching and grew up idolizing." Scoring 13 points (on 6-for-7 shooting) and grabbing nine rebounds in 26 minutes of action before fouling out in the final minute of the game, Olynyk heard an ovation from the crowd upon checking into the game. "Its something you dream about as a kid," Olynyk said. "Especially growing up in Toronto, being born and raised here. Its definitely special." Drafted by Boston with the 13th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the 22-year-old has impressed during summer league and pre-season campaigns. Playing for a Celtics team that looks drastically different than a season ago, Olynyk has the opportunity to play a key role this season and has already won over Green and head coach Brad Stevens. "Hes ahead of the curve for a young guy," Stevens said. Upon seeing Olynyk for the ffirst time, Green immediately gave him the nickname "Sunshine.dddddddddddd" Asked why a seven footer prompted such a nickname, Green had a simple explanation: his flowing locks. "(The movie) Remember the Titans, the quarterback," Green said. "Same locks. When I first saw him, thats what I thought about." As for what Olynyk has been doing on the court, again Green broke it down simply. "He does what hes supposed to do and he does more so thats good." While Olynyk pieced together another strong individual effort, it wasnt enough to save a road-weary Celtics team that played in Brooklyn the night before. Boston put up a solid fight against the Raptors, but couldnt keep up with Torontos reserves in the second half. After holding a two-point advantage at half, Bostons offence fell apart late in the third quarter. Unable to score over the final 4:50 of the third, the Celtics missed their final seven shots to close out the quarter and allowed Toronto to go on an 11-0 run to take a 10-point lead into the fourth. "Defence leads to offence," said Ross. "Especially with the second unit." Raptors head coach Dwane Casey relied heavily on his bench in the victory. Jonas Valanciunas was the only starter to appear in the second half or log more than 14 minutes of play as five Raptors players reached double figures in points. "It wasnt any disrespect to Boston, but we need to find out what our second unit can do," said Casey. Kyle Lowry scored 11 points while Valanciunas and Rudy Gay each added 10 points apiece for Toronto. The loss dropped the Celtics to 1-5 in the pre-season. MarShon Brooks led Boston with 17 points, 15 coming in the fourth quarter. Jeff Green and Vitor Faverani added 13 points apiece. ' ' '