"Tuesday afternoon's Next Century Game was a chance for the Toronto Maple Leafs to celebrate the past while looking ahead to a bright future. If today's 8-1 beating of the Carolina Hurricanes is any indication of what's to come, then the next century is going to be pretty fun. Exactly 100 years ago today, Reg Noble scored the first goal in franchise history during a 10-9 loss to the Montreal Wanderers. James van Riemdyk scored an historic goal on the 100th birthday of that historic day. About a minute and a half after Carolina cut the Leafs lead to 2-1, van Riemsdyk did what he does best and got to the front of the net to score from close range while on the power play. Not only was the goal his team leading 16th of the season, but it was the 20,000th goal in franchise history.
Per the NHL: «The Arenas scored 172 goals before being renamed the Toronto St. Patricks in 1919. The St. Patricks scored 724 goals before the franchise was renamed the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1927. The goal by van Riemsdyk was the 19,104th (including shootout-deciding goals) scored by the Maple Leafs.»"
