Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 48

HOCKEY C4 FRIDAY, DKCLMBF.R 20, 2002 The Arizona Republic STAR nmui COYOTES Abid draws Tkachuk comparison uu Avalanche 2. Oilers 1 DENVER Patrick Roy stopped 31 shots to help Tony Granato win his NHL coaching debut as Colorado beat Edmonton. Granato, who replaced Bob Hartley on Wednesday, was known as a feisty player in his 13 NHL seasons and that seemed to rub off on the Avalanche. Colorado peppered Edmonton goalie Tommy Salo with 29 shots to win for just the fourth time in 16 home games. WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Division OL PU GF GA Dallas 18 7 8 1 45105 67 Los Angeles 15 10 4 3 37 91 81 Anaheim 14 10 6 3 37 86 81 San Jose 13 14 2 3 31 89 99 PHOENIX 11 15 5 2 29 84 102 Central Division OLPts GF GA Detroit 17 8 6 1 41 99 79 St.

Louis 16 10 4 2 38102 84 Chicago 15 13 4 0 34 73 75 Columbus 12 14 3 2 29 93 94 Nashville 7 16 5 4 23 63 88 Northwest Division OLPts GF GA Vancouver 19 9 5 0 43100 79 Minnesota 18 9 6 1 43 90 76 Edmonton 16 11 4 2 38 89 81 Colorado 11 8 9 4 35 84 81 Calgary 9 16 5 3 26 67 94 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division OLPts GF GA Philadelphia 16 7 7 1 40 76 65 New Jersey 17 9 1 3 38 73 64 NY Rangers 13 17 4 1 31 87112 NY Islanders 12 15 5 0 29 88101 Pittsburgh 11 14 3 4 29 89102 Northeast Division OLPts GF GA Ottawa 19 8 4 0 42101 70 Boston 19 9 3 1 42104 81 Montreal 15 12 4 2 36 92102 Toronto 16 14 3 0 35 92 80 Buffalo 8 16 5 1 22 67 80 Southeast Division OLPts GF GA Tampa Bay 15 11 4 3 37 98 91 Carolina 13 12 5 3 34 77 83 Washington 14 16 3 0 31 88 99 Rorida 9 10 8 4 30 76 95 Atlanta 8 19 1 3 20 79116 fly-type French-Canadian goalies. It's why Colorado used one of its five picks among the top 28 selections in the 1998 draft to nab Abid. But a contract dispute allowed Abid to re-enter the draft two years later, and Phoenix plucked him in the third round. After the Pittsburgh game, he has as many points as 10 players on the Phoenix roster. Could this be the start of something big? "Those are the guys I've been emulating: Tkachuk, (Philadelphia's John) LeClair," Abid said.

"But I'm not comparing myself to these guys. They are superstars. I just want to establish myself as a regular player, and I know I have a lot of work to do. "It's experience, doing what I do, playing the game that got me drafted and got me here." Even though it hasn't been enough yet to get a locker. i Tonight's game BLUES AT COYOTES WHERE: America West Arena.

WHEN: 7 p.m. FULL-VIEW TICKETS REMAINING: 1,900. Call (480) 563-PUCK. TVRADIO: FOXAZKDUS-AM (1060), KDKB-FM (93.3) COYOTES UPDATE: Phoenix looks for a victory to end its nine-game homestand at 4-3-1-1. LW Paul Ranheim, acquired Thursday in a trade with Philadelphia, will make his Coyotes debut.

Brian Boucher will make his 23rd start in the past 26 games. RW Mike Johnson has a five-game points streak (3-3-6) and has points in eight of his past nine games. BLUES UPDATE: Firm hold on second place in Central Division but looked bad in being outscored 11-4 in back-to-back losses in LA and Anaheim. Power play ranks third at 21.1 percent. Penalty' kill ranks 28th, however, at 79.2 percent.

From Page CI or fourth line. Abid, meanwhile, will remain on the No. 1 line alongside center Shane Doan and right wing Tony Amonte when Phoenix closes its franchise-record, nine-game homestand tonight against Keith Tkachuk and the St. Louis Blues. With a victory, the Coyotes (11-15-5-2) can wrap up the homestand at 4-3-1-1 and can get their first three-game win streak of the season.

The Blues (16-10-4-2) are chasing Central Division leader Detroit but are coming off 6-2 and 5-2 losses to Los Angeles and Anaheim. "If we can beat St. Louis, we're going to be on a roll and that's going to get things turned around," Abid said. "It's a pretty huge game for us." Abid was the difference Tuesday night in a 5-2 victory over Pittsburgh, netting his first three NHL points with two goals and an assist. Having just been promoted from the American Hockey League, where he was tied for the goal-scoring lead, Abid might develop into the power forward for which Phoenix has been searching since the trade of Tkachuk.

He's big (6 feet 2, 207 pounds), like Tkachuk. He has a mean streak, like Tkachuk. And he drives to the net and creates chaos, like Tkachuk. "There's no reason to put added pressure on Ramzi and start comparing him to a guy like Keith," Coyotes coach Bobby Francis said. "They've got the same game, though.

He's a power forward who's good along the walls, very effective from the top of the circles down, establishes position in front, and he's a strong guy who's difficult to move." NHL scouts zeroed in on Abid during his formative years in the Quebec junior league, where he became almost an enigma a player who could punish opponents as well as produce points. That's a rarity in the Quebec league, known more for its sleek playmakers and butter Jose Theodore stops 41 shots (14 in the first period) and leads Montreal to a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers. Devils 3. Penguins 1 PITTSBURGH Joe Nieuwendyk ended a 20-game streak without a goal and also set up New Jersey's second goal, and the Devils ran Pittsburgh's losing streak to a near-record 10 games. Oleg Tverdovsky and Brian Gionta also scored as New Jersey, a lethargic 3-0 loser to Ottawa on Wednesday, ended a three-game losing streak and, at least for one night, rumors Nieuwendyk might be traded.

Nieuwendyk, a former Stanley Cup star for Dallas, scored a day after Devils general manager Lou Lamo-riello said he felt confident he was about to come out of his slump. Nieuwendyk hadn't scored since Nov. 2 against Chicago. With Nieuwendyk finally contributing, the Devils ran the Penguins' losing streak to close to historical lengths. New Jersey Pittsburgh 1 2 1 0 0-3 0 1 First penod 1.

Pittsburgh, Kraft 1 (Primeau. Niemi-nen). 2. New Jersey. Nieuwendyk 3, 12:55.

Penalties Orpik, Pit (tripping), New Jersey bench, served by Gomez (too many men), 18:14. Second penod 3. New Jersey. Tverdovsky 3 (Nieuwendyk), 4, New Jersey, Gionta 7 (Fnesen, Madden), 10:47. Penalties Pushor, Pit (tripping), Niedermayer, NJ (Interference), 14:17.

Third period No scoring. Penalties Moran, Pit (holding), Niedermayer, NJ (tripping), 20:00. Shots on goal New Jersey 9-1312 34 on Aubin. Pittsburgh 5-4-7 16 on Brodeur. Power-play opportunitiesNew Jersey 0 of Pittsburgh 0 of 3.

A 14,220. Canucks 3, Predators 1 NASHVILLE Matt Cooke's two assists sparked Vancouver to a victory over Nashville. Denis Pederson put the Predators ahead 1-0 at 2:46 of the first period. Pederson's slap shot from the right point, Nashville's first attempt, beat Vancouver goalie Peter Skudra. Vancouver Nashville 0 1 1 0 2-3 0 1 First period 1, Nashville, Pederson 1 (Timonen), 2:46.

Penalties Eaton, Nas (hooking), Baron, Van (interference), 12:44. Second period 2, Vancouver, Jovanovski 4 (Cooke, Chubarov), 15:45. Penalties Malik, Van (interference), Legwand, Nas (crosschecking), Naslund. Van (slashing), Komarniski, Van (unsportsmanlike conduct), Fiddler, Nas (unsportsmanlike conduct). Cooke, Van (goalie interference).

19:36. Third penod 3. Vancouver, Letowski 5 (Lindgren), 4. Vancouver. Salo 4 (Cooke), 19:56 (en).

PenaltiesEaton. Nas (roughing), Legwand, Nas (tripping), Baron, Van (high-sticking), 15:26. Shots on goal Vancouver 8147 29 on Vokoun. Nashville 12-12-7 31 on Skudra. Power-play opportunities Vancouver 0 of Nashville 0 of 5.

A 11,125. Islanders 4. Wild 2 ST. PAUL, Minn. Minnesota native Mark Parrish scored two goals as New York beat Minnesota.

Rick DiPietro, recalled Wednesday in an effort to improve the Islanders' goaltending situation, survived a shaky start to record 15 saves in his first NHL victory since March 20, 2001. The victory ended a four-game winless streak for the Islanders, who have been frustrated by goaltenders Garth Snow and Chris Osgood. The veteran pair has a combined goals-against average of 3.15, third-worst in the NHL. mi Edmonton Colorado 0 0 1 0 1-1 1 2 First period 1. Colorado.

Tanguay 4 (Heiduk, Morris), 13:45. Penalty Chimera, Edm 6:24. Second period No sconng. Penalties Foote, Cot (tnpping). 10:25: Smith.

Edm (slashing), 13:12. Third penod 2, Colorado, McAmmond 4 (Foote, de Vnes), 5:40. 3, Edmonton, York 11, 19:58. Penalties-Smith, Edm (roughing), Hinote. Col (roughing), 9:41: de Vries, Col (boarding), 15:34.

Shots on goal Edmonton 10-7-15 32 on Roy. Colorado 9-12 8 29 on Salo. Power-play opportunities Edmonton 0 of Colorado 0 of 2. A 18,007. Kings 5.

Mighty Ducks 4 LOS ANGELES Brad Chartrand tied the score with his second goal of the game and Bryan Smolinski converted on a power play with 2:29 left as Los Angeles beat Anaheim. Craig Johnson and rookie Alexander Frolov scored second-period goals for the Kings. Paul Kariya triggered Anaheim's failed comeback with his 15th goal on a breakaway with 17:31 remaining. Niclas Havelid and Stanislav Chistov scored 68 seconds apart on power plays after staggered penalties. Anaheim Los Angela! 1 0 1 2 3-4 2-5 First period 1, Los Angeles, Chartrand 2 (Norton), 2, Anaheim, Rucchm 10 (Sykora, Kanya), 15:13 (pp).

Penalties Vishnevski, Ana, double minor (high-sticking), Sawyer, Ana, major Ifightmg), Bren-nan, LA, major (fighting), Norton, LA (elbowing), Smolinski, LA (cross-checking), Nor-strom, LA (tripping), Olausson, Ana (holding), 19:10. Second period 3, Los Angeles, Johnson 2 (Ras-mussen. Chartrand), 4, Los Angeles. Frolov 7 (Smolinski, Norstrom), 7:38. Penalties Norton, LA (roughing), Sawyer, Ana, major (fighting), Norton, LA, major (fighting), Kanya, Ana, double minor (high sticking, unsportsmanlike conduct).

Anaheim bench, served by Cullen (abuse of official), 20:00. Third period 5, Anaheim, Kariya 15 (McDonald), 6, Anaheim, Havelid 5 (Rucchin, Oates), 6:07 (pp); 7, Anaheim, Chistov 6 (Oates, Leclerc), 7:15 (pp); 8, Los Angeles, Chartrand 3 (Modry, Palffy), 9, Los Angeles, Smolinski 6 (Allison, Palffy), 17:31 (pp). Penalties Palffy, LA (holding), Johnson, LA (boarding), Anaheim bench, served by Sykora (too many men), 17:05. Shots on goal Anaheim 9-3-10 22 on Potvm. Los Angeles 1 1-15-10 36 on Giguere.

Power-play opportunities Anaheim 3 of Los Angeles 1 of 7. A 18,118. Wednesday's late result Mighty Ducks 5, Blues 2 St. Loult Anaheim 1 2 1 5 First period 1, Anaheim, Kariya 13 (McDonald, Kjelloerg). 2, Anaheim, Rucchin 9 (Kanya, Oates), 11:01 (pp); 3, Anaheim, Sykora 11 (Oates, Kariya), 17:31 (pp).

Penalties Sawyer, Ana (boarding). Vishnevsky, Ana (high-sticking), Rucmsky, StL Weight, StL (roughing). Vishnevsky, Ana, double minor (boarding, roughing), Podein, Stl (roughing), Khavanov, StL (tripping), Mellanby, StL, double minor (roughing), Vishnevsky, Ana (high-sticking), Tkachuk, StL (roughing), 19:56. Second period 4, Anaheim, Oates 1 (Kariya, Havelid), 1:20 (pp); 5, St. Louis.

Maclnnis 7 (Weight, Caja-nek), 16:52 (pp). Penalties Maclnnis, StL (tripping), Sauer, Ana (triping), Trnka, Ana (higlvstick-ing), Rucchin, Ana (interference). 18:21. Third period 6. St.

Louis, Maclnnis 8 (Weight, Mellanby), 6:44 (pp); 7, Anaheim, Kariya 14 (Carney), 19:11 (en). Penalty Vishnevski, Ana (hooking), 4:53. Shots on goal St. Louis 141616 46 on Giguere. Anaheim 8-5-4 17 on Brathwaite.

Power-play opportunities St. Louis 2 of Anaheim 3 of 6. A 11,144. LEADERS Maple Leafs 2, Lightning 1 TAMPA Ed Belfour came within 96 seconds of his sixth shutout of the season as Toronto beat Tampa Bay on Thursday night. With goalie Kevin Hodson pulled for an extra skater, the Lightning spoiled Belfour's bid when Brad Richards scored with 1:36 remaining.

Belfour, who made 29 saves, has allowed just 12 goals in nine road games. Toronto has won seven straight against Tampa Bay. The Maple Leafs are 27-8-1 against the Lightning, 15-2 at Tampa Bay. Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn earned his 543rd win, moving him past Billy Reay into fifth place on the career list. The Lightning rested starting goalie Nikolai Khabibulin.

Hodson faced 19 shots in just his third start of the season. Toronto Tampa Bay 0 1 0 0 1-2 1-1 First period No scoring. Penalties Svitov, TB Sarich, TB Lumme. Tor (hooking), 17:26. Second period 1, Toronto, Reichel 4 (Domi, Ho-glund).

6:41. Penalties Fitzgerald, Tor (ob. holding), Sundm, Tor (roughing), Keefe, TB (roughing). 16.58; Kaberle. Tor (holding stick), 17:43.

Third penod 2. Toronto. Mogilny 13 (Antropov, Tucker). 3:13. 3.

Tampa Bay, Richards 7 (St. Louis. Leca-valier). 18:24. Penalties McCabe.

Tor (crosschecking), Antropov, Tor (hooking). St. Louis, TB (hooking). 19:45. Shots on goal Toronto 10-54 19 on Hodson.

Tampa Bay 5 13-12 30 on Belfour. Power play opportunities Toronto 0 of Tampa Bay 0 of 5. A 14,987. Canadiens 3, Rangers 1 NEW YORK Jose Theodore stopped 41 shots, and Yanic Per-reault scored two goals to lead Montreal over New York. Perrault's second goal of the game and 16th of the season put Montreal ahead 3-0 at 2:13 of the third period.

With the Canadiens on a power play, Doug Gilmour slid a cross-ice pass from the right circle to Perreault, who wristed a shot past Mike Dunham from five feet. Gilmour assisted on both of Per-reault's goals, giving him seven points in the last three games. Montreal NY Rangers 1 1 0 0 1-3 1-1 First period 1. Montreal, Zednik 15 (Brlsebois, Koivu), 10:27 (pp). Penalties Biouin, Mon (roughing), Kasparaitis, NYR (tripping).

Dwyer. NYR, major (fighting), Biouin, Mon, major (fighting), 15:06. Second period 2, Montreal, Perreault 15 (Giimour, McKay), 15:18. Penalty Bulls, Mon (elbowing), 18:23. Third period 3, Montreal, Perreault 16 (Gilmour, Markov), 2:13 (pp); 4.

NV Rangers, Lindros 10 (Poti, Ho-lik), 11:04. Penalties Messier, NYR (holding). McKay, Montreal (holding), Poti, NYR (interference), NY Rangers bench, served by Barnaby (too many men), 19:31. Shots on goal Montreal 6-7-10 23 on Dunham. NY Rangers 14-14-1442 on Theodore.

Power-play opportunities Montreal 2 of NY Rangers 0 of 3. A 18,200. Senators 9, Sharks 3 OTTAWA Despite being outshot 33-23, Ottawa had its highest scoring game of the season to beat San Jose and win its second straight. Anton Volchenkov had a goal and two assists for the Senators, who also got goals from Marian Hossa, Wade Redden, Martin Havlat, Steve Martins, Mike Fisher and Todd White. Ottawa, which won 3-0 in New Jersey on Wednesday, is 14-2-3 since a 7-1 loss in Boston on Nov.

9. San Josa Ottawa 2-3 4 9 First period 1, Ottawa, Hossa 20 (Bonk, Phillips), 2, Ottawa, Redden 3 (White, Alfredsson), 4:24. 3, San Jose, Sturm 11 (Selanne, Marleau), 15:57 (pp). Penalties Havlat, Ott (hooking), Phillips, Ort (interference). 17:10.

Second period 4, Ottawa, Havlat 9 (Martins), 5. Ottawa. Arvedson 4 (Alfredsson. Volchenkov), 6. Ottawa.

Martins 1 (Hull. Volchenkov), 12:29. Penalties McGillis. SJ Phillips, Ott (ob.Hnterference). 13:08.

Third period 7, Ottawa, Fisher 5 (White). 4:59 (pp); 8, Ottawa, Volchenkov 2 (Hull), 9, Ottawa, Arvedson 5 (Rachunek, Alfredsson), 10, San Jose, Selanne 17 (Rathie). 11, Ottawa. White 5 (Alfreds-son, Redden), 14:51 (pp); 12, San Jose, Marleau 15 (Selanne, Sturm), 17:50. Penalties Rlcci, SJ (interference), Damphousse, SJ (hooking), Hossa, Ott (tripping), McGillis, SJ (hooking).

13:08. Shots on goal San Jose 11-9-13 33 on Prusek. Ottawa 6-6-11 23 on Nabokov and Kiprusoff. Power-play opportunities San Jose 1 of Ottawa 2 of 4. Goalies San Jose, (4:20 second, 14-9).

Ottawa, 5O0 (3330). A Blue Jackets 3. Flames 0 COLUMBUS, Ohio Marc Denis made 29 saves for his fifth career shutout, and Lasse Pirjeta scored twice as Columbus beat Calgary. Rookie defenseman Duvie West-cott assisted on both of Pirjeta's goals. Columbus is 5-0 at home against Calgary, having outscored the Flames 19-8.

The Blue Jackets have won seven of their last 11 home games. The loss was the Flames' first in their last five road games. Calgary couldn't mount a comeback in the third period despite a two-minute, two-man advantage against the league's top penalty-killing unit. Calgary Columbus 0 0 1 2 0-0 0-3 First penod 1 Columbus, Pi rjeta 3 (Westcott Marshall), 2:09. Penalties Westcott, Clm (high sticking), Sillinger.

Clm (interference), Marshall, Clm (high sticking), 15:17. Second penod 2. Columbus, Kaltio 1 (Whitney, Spacek), 3, Columbus, Pirjeta 4 (Wescott, Wal-ser), 16:32 (pp). Penalties Calgary bench, served by Saprykin (too many men), Shelley, Clm (goalie Interference), Berube. Cal minor-major (roughing, fighting), Shelley.

Clm. major (fighting). 14:42. Third period No scoring. Penalties Nichol, Cal, major (lighting), Wescott.

Clm. maior (lighting), Walser. Clm (holding), Hyvonen. Clm (tripping), Gauthier. Cal (high-sticking).

Hyvonen. Clm (elbowing), Shelley, Clm, misconduct, Nichol, Cal. match penalty, 17:16. Shots on goal Calgary 1112 29 on Denis. Columbus 7 14-6 27 on Turek.

Power play opportunities Calgary 0 of Columbus 1 of 4. A 17,230. Coyotes acquire veteran to shore up wing depth NY Islander! 2 1 1 4 Minnesota 2 0 0 2 Scoring Through Wednesday's games Player Team GP A PTS Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh 30 16 39 55 Joe Thornton Boston 31 16 27 43 Markus Naslund Vancouver 32 21 18 39 Alexei Kovalev Pittsburgh 30 17 22 39 ToddBertuHi Vancouver 32 16 20 36 Mike Modano Dallas 33 13 22 35 Alexander Mogilny Toronto 31 12 22 34 Glen Murray Boston 31 17 16 33 Martin St. Louis Tampa 32 17 16 33 Doug Weight St Louis 32 11 22 33 Andrew Cassels Columbus 30 8 25 33 Marian Hossa Ottawa 30 19 13 32 JoeSakic Colorado 29 17 15 32 OlliJokinen Florida 31 17 15 32 CoryStillman St Louis 30 11 21 32 Ray Whitney Columbus 30 11 21 32 Marian Gaborik Minnesota 32 20 11 31 MatsSundm Toronto 32 16 15 31 Anson Carter Edmonton 32 14 17 31 Paul Kariya Anaheim 32 14 17 31 DanyHeatley Atlanta 28 8 23 31 Michael Nylander CHI WAS 30 8 23 31 Brad Richards Tampa Bay 32 6 25 31 JaromirJagr Washington 31 16 14 30 BillGuerin Dallas 33 14 16 30 Brendan Morrison Vancouver 32 11 19 30 Vaclav Prospal Tampa Bay 32 7 23 30 Two points for a win, one point for a tie and overtime loss. TODAY'S GAMES St.

Louis at PHOENIX, 7 p.m. Florida at Buffalo, 5 p.m. Carolina at Atlanta, 5:30 p.m. Columbus at Chicago. 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY'S GAMES Dallas at New Jersey, 11 a.m. Ottawa at Philadelphia, 11 a.m. Rorida at Boston, 5 p.m. Buffalo at Montreal, 5 p.m. San Jose at Toronto, 5 p.m.

Washington at N.Y. Islanders, 5 p.m. Calgary at Pittsburgh, 5:30 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.

Nashville at Tampa Bay, 5:30 p.m. Minnesota at Colorado, 7 p.m. Edmonton at Vancouver, 8 p.m. NOTEWORTHY PENGUINS' MOROZOV HAS 2 BROKEN BONES IN WRIST Pittsburgh Penguins forward Aleksey Morozov will be out longer than expected after a second broken bone was found in his right wrist. Morozov hasn't played since breaking his wrist Dec.

10 in Toronto. He was expected to miss six to eight weeks before tests this week revealed the second break. Morozov will have additional tests in three weeks to determine how much more time he will miss. Dallas Stars center Mike Modano didn't play in Thursday night's game and is still recovering after being hit from behind by Philadelphia's Jeremy Roenick. The team said Modano, who sustained a mild concussion, won't play Saturday in New Jersey or Sunday in Carolina.

He'll fly back to Dallas today. The Columbus Blue Jackets placed rookie forward Rick Nash on injured reserve because of a bruised lower back. The move is retroactive to Dec. 9. The Blue Jackets recalled goalie Pascal Leclalre from Syracuse of the American Hockey League.

The Minnesota Wild placed center Rickard Wallin on injured reserve and reassigned defenseman Curtis Murphy to Houston of the AHL The Florida Panthers recalled forward Jeff Toms from San Antonio of the American Hockey League. The Sharks are 4-2-0-1 since Ron Wilson was hired as coach. Maple Leafs RW Mikael Renberg missed the game with an ankle injury. He was hurt in Wednesday's 2-2 tie at Florida. Tampa Bay RW Shane Willis, currently with Springfield of the AHL, will miss four to six weeks because of a broken left foot Senators assistant coach Roger Neilson did not attend the game.

He's battling two forms of cancer and had not missed a home game this season. aztemraJcom Go to coyotes.azcentral.com at 7 p.m. today to follow the Coyotes-Blues game live. For more coverage of the Phoenix Coyotes and the rest of the National Hockey League, go to nhl.azcentral.com By Hob McManaman The Arizona Republic Decimated by injuries at forward and having lost two left wings in the past week to serious maladies, the Coyotes acquired veteran Paul Ranheim from the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday for a conditional draft pick in 2004. Ranheim, 36, will be in uniform tonight against the visiting St.

Louis Blues and will play on the third or fourth line, in addition to the penalty-killing unit. He fills an immediate need with Landon Wilson (eye surgery) and Brian Savage (concussion, neck strain) sidelined indefinitely, and with left wing Brad May (shoulder surgery) still at least a week to 10 days away from returning. "I'm happy about coming into a new environment, and I'm glad Phoenix is happy about getting a veteran," said and Detroit tops the Central. Boucher's shot from the top of the right circle deflected off the stick of Detroit defense-man Jason Woolley and past Manny Legace. Brendan Shanahan scored the first goal of the game with 3: 19 left in the second period to give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead.

He tipped a pass from Maxim Kuznetsov into an open net after Kris Draper's rebound caromed out above the left circle. It was Shanahan's 11th goal. Dallas' Marty Turco made an outstanding glove save on First period 1, Minnesota, Zholtok 6, 2, Minnesota, Ronning 7 (Gaborik, Brunette), 3, NY Islanders, Parrish 10 (Yashin, Aucoin), 16:23 (pp); 4, NY Islanders, Peca 3 (Blake, Asham), 17:49. Penalties Cairns, NYI (roughing), Cairns, NYI, major (fighting), Johnson, Mm, major (fighting), Be-nysek, Min (high-sticking), Zyuzin, Mm (high-sticking), 18:51. Second period 5, NY Islanders, Parrish 11 (Buterv schon, Wiemer), 13:36.

Penalties Dupuis, Mm (tripping), Brown. Mm (roughing), 20:00. Third period 6, NY Islanders. Scatchard 8, 19:58 (en). Penalties Asham, NYI (interference), NY Islanders bench, served by Asham (too many men) Wiemer, NYI (goalie interference), Gaborik, Mm (hooking), Johnson, Mm, misconduct, 19:58.

Shots on goal NY Islanders 11 11-10 32 on Ro-loson. Minnesota 7-4-6 17 on DiPietro. Power-play opportunities NY Islanders 1 of Minnesota 0 of 4. A Capitals 5, Bruins 3 WASHINGTON Peter Bondra scored two goals, and Washington weathered a furious comeback to hand Boston its fifth straight loss. Olaf Kolzig had 36 saves for the Capitals, who took a 4-0 lead into the third period but needed a late goal by Steve Konowalchuk to secure the win.

Brian Rolston had two goals and an assist to fuel the Boston rally. Rolston set up a power-play goal by Joe Thornton with 15 minutes left, then scored 38 seconds later to make it 4-2. Rolston's 13th goal made it a one-goal game with 10 minutes remaining, but Konowalchuk gave the Capitals some breathing room by scoring his seventh goal with 6:22 to go. Boston Washington 0 0 2 2 33 15 First period 1, Washington, Bondra 12, 7:10 (sh); 2, Washington, Gner 9 (Halpern, Witt), 10:51. Penalties Witt, Was (tripping), Lapomte, Bos.

minor-ma)or misconduct (instigator, fighting), Witt, Was. major (fighting), 16:18. Second penod 3, Washington, Bondra 13 (Suth-erby), 4, Washington, Berry 1 (Nylander, Jagr), 15:54. Penalties Axelsson, Bos (holding), Boyrv ton, Bos (tripping), Whitlield, Was (cross-checking), Bondra, Was (high-sticking), Ooig, Was, misconduct, Konowalchuk, Was (roughing), Lapointe, Bos, double minor (hooking, roughing), 19:08. Third period 5.

Boston, Thornton 17 (Knuble, Rolston). 5:00 Ipp); 6, Boston, Rolston 12 (Murray, Thornton), 5:38 (pp); 7, Boston. Rolston 13, 9.57; 8. Washington, Konowalchuk 7 (Gner, Halpern), 13:38. Penalties Witt.

Was (interference). Johansson. Was (high sticking), Klee, Was (interference), 15:00. Shots on goal Boston 13161039 on Kolzig. Washington 18 on Graharne.

Power play oppor tunnies Boston 2 of Washington 0 ol 4. 16, 750. GAME OF THE DAY Boucher's goal helps Stars tie Wings Ranheim, who was a healthy scratch in three of the Flyers' past five games and was having his ice time gradually slashed by coach Ken Hitchcock. "It'll be nice to get a chance to play, because things were going a little sour here." The trade came just hours before the NHL's annual holiday roster freeze, which prevents clubs from making deals until Dec. 27.

The Coyotes will pick up the remainder of Ran-heim's $600,000 salary, but if they don't re-sign him this summer, they owe the Flyers nothing. If he is signed beyond this season, Philadelphia will receive a sixth- to eighth-round draft pick. "He's still got a lot of giddy-up and go," Coyotes general manager Mike Barnett said of Ranheim, who had no goals and four assists in 28 games for the Flyers, for whom he averaged 12 minutes. Henrik Zetterberg's backhander off a breakaway with 8:52 left in the opening period. Legace finished with 30 saves.

Turco stopped 29 shots. Dallas Detroit 0 0 1 0 10 0-1 0-1 First period No scoring. Penalties Robidas, Dal, maior (fighting), Avery, Det, major Boucher, Dal (roughing), Kuznetsov, Del (roughing), Guerin, Del (crosschecking), Maltliy. Del (roughing), Kuznetsov, Del (kneeing), 12:31. Second period 1, Detroit, Shanahan 11 (Kzznet sov, Draper), 16:41 Penalties Guerin.

Dal (roughing) Avery, Det Ihooking), Halcher, Dal 6lash' ing), Maltby, Del (slashing), 17:39. Third period 2, Dallas, Boucher 3 (Pellerin), 4.43. Penalties None. Overtime No scoring. Penalties None.

Shots on goal Dallas 99-11 231 on Legace. De-troit 30 on Turco. Power-play opportuni ties-Oallas 0 of Detroit 0 of 1. A 20,058. At Participating Metro Phoenix Circle Ks Expires 122402 1 STARSl, RED WINGS1 Associated Press DETROIT Philippe Boucher's goal 4:43 into the third period lifted the Dallas Stars into a 1-1 tie with the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

It was the third tie this season between two of the top three teams in the Western Conference. Dallas is first with 45 points (18-7-8-1) and Detroit is third with 41 (17-8-6-1). Dallas leads the Pacific Division JBwm.fB ma Msas MS I Jra SO-psssk cans MMt.