HAMILTON -- Evgeny Svechnikov scored twice for Detroit to lead the Red Wings 2-1 past the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night in NHL pre-season action at Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre.
Toronto's pre-season record falls to 2-3-2, while Detroit improves to 5-1-1.
This is the first time the Leafs have played in Hamilton since 2005, when this same arena was called Copps Coliseum. But the Hamilton crowd watched a game devoid of its star players. The roster for Saturday night's re-match in Detroit is expected to better reflect who will be playing for both teams on opening night.
The Red Wings outshot Toronto 26-19.
Jhonas Enroth, slated for backup once the season starts, was in net for Toronto with Jimmy Howard in for Detroit.
This was the Leafs' seventh of eight pre-season games and the middle of a three-game stretch in which they lost 6-1 in Montreal on Thursday and will travel to Detroit for a game on Saturday night.
Svechnikov gave Detroit the early 1-0 lead on a quick wristshot past Enroth from the top of the slot. He was in position after leaving the penalty box and lingering the 11 seconds needed for Nathan Paetsch to start the breakout along the boards to Drew Miller who hit him with a short lead pass.
Toronto's Brendan Leipsic scored his first of the pre-season to tie the game 1-1 with 44 seconds left in the first period, taking a feed from Colin Smith behind the net and roofing it left corner past Howard.
Svechnikov scored his second of the night 4:39 into the second period to make it 2-1 for Detroit off a rebound from defenceman Robbie Russo's shot from the point.
