Canadiens Hack-ett Leafs

The Montreal Canadiens won a game after the Toronto Maple Leafs lost a goal.

Tie Domi's apparent tying goal with just under two minutes remaining was disallowed because of a crease infraction, allowing the Canadiens to pull out a 2-1 victory on Saturday night.

Replay officials ruled that Domi was in the crease when Derek King's pass banked off his skate and into the net.

"At first I thought it hit my skate, but then I think it went off (Montreal defenseman Vladimir) Malakhov," said Domi. "We clearly weren't in the crease when the puck crossed the line."

Sergei Zholtok scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Jeff Hackett made 27 saves as the Canadiens evened the season series with the Maple Leafs at two wins apiece.

"This was one of the best games we've seen at the Molson Centre this season," said Montreal coach Alain Vigneault. "Thank God for this rivalry. Too see the Leafs fans, and our fans, everyone gets up for it."

The Maple Leafs won the last game between the rivals, a 3-2 overtime decision in the Air Canada Centre opener.

"I wouldn't say this is sweet revenge," Hackett said. "I wasn't focusing on anything but just trying to do what I could to keep the puck out of the net."

Benoit Brunet, who missed the last four games with a back injury, also scored for the Canadiens.

Vincent Damphousse added two assists, for his first two-point game since Nov. 17, when he had three points against Carolina.

"I felt really good tonight," the Montreal captain said. "I played a lot and against (Mats) Sundin. I just had tremendous energy."

Lonny Bohonos scored for the Maple Leafs, who have lost three of their last five games.

Hackett stopped a shot by Bryan Berard seconds later, after the defenseman swooped in front off the wing.

Curtis Joseph made 29 saves for the Maple Leafs, many of them outstandng to keep the game close.

"In the first half of the game we left Cujo all alone," said Maple Leafs captain Sundin. "In the second half of the game I thought we were the better team."

Zholtok, who was signed to a new two-year contract Friday, scored the winner on a power play. His shot from the right circle deflected off Chris McAllister's leg past Joseph.

Bohonos tied the game at 9:11 of the second when he took a pass from Sundin and slid the puck into an open net.

Brunet opened the scoring early in the period on another power play. He picked up the rebound from a shot by Scott Lachance and backhanded it off Joseph's glove and into the net.

"We had something to go for tonight, but Montreal played well," said Toronto coach Pat Quinn. "We responded too late."

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