from Mark Zwolinki of the Toronto Star,

David Rittich got a lot of credit from his coach and teammates for jumping into the Maple Leafs net so soon after being traded from Calgary.

It didn’t end well — they lost 3-2 in overtime to the Flames, their second defeat in as many nights — but that wasn’t because of the goaltending.

“I thought he looked really good,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “I’m sure it was tough for him. Emotions were a part of it — the different coloured jerseys, the (teammates) on the other side — but it was a good debut for him.”

Rittich made his Leafs debut — asked for it, actually — less than two days after the trade. With his old club travelling to face his new one, Rittich flew with the Flames to Toronto as a member of the Leafs.

“A lot of chirps there (on the plane). Some of the guys didn’t hold back,” Rittich said. “But I got a chance to say goodbye to all of them.”

Rittich spent four years in Calgary and was solid in his first game with the Leafs, who were behind for much of the night. Zach Hyman tied the game at 1-1, and Alex Kerfoot scored in the third to make it 2-2. But Johnny Gaudreau, with a terrific inside-out deke, scored 36 seconds into the overtime period, giving the Flames a win they desperately needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Rittich told Keefe in their first conversation on Monday that he wanted to play right away. Keefe said he gave Rittich the night to “sleep on it,” and the goalie was still set on playing Tuesday.

continued

Catch the game highlights below.