Sun, Jan 04, 2004 - Page 22 News List

Blue Jackets stop Lightning strikes

AP , TAMPA, FLORIDA

Sharks' Alyn McCauley, left, and Blackhawks' Steve Passmore watch as a puck sails wide of the Blackhawks goal in Chicago, Friday. Chicago won 2-1.

PHOTO: AP

Marc Denis made 37 saves to help Columbus beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Friday in Gerard Gallant's first game as the Blue Jackets' interim head coach.

Gallant, who was an assistant under Doug MacLean, took over the team Thursday when MacLean -- the team's president and general manager -- stepped down as coach.

"From 11 o'clock yesterday morning until before the puck dropped, I was nervous," Gallant said. "It was really good to get the puck dropped and get the game going because what I enjoy most about hockey is the game itself and it went real well."

Rostislav Klesla scored his first goal in 35 games for Columbus, and Manny Malhotra added an empty-net goal. The Blue Jackets won their second consecutive road game after starting the season 0-11-1-2 away from home.

Denis finished with his third shutout of the season and 12th of his career after losing his previous seven decisions.

"With everything that's happened around our team the last couple of days, this was a great way to start something new," Denis said.

Flyers 2, Panthers 1

In Sunrise, Florida, Mike Comrie scored twice in the second period to lead Philadelphia over Florida.

Comrie scored his second and third goals of the season in a span of 5:11 to help the Flyers erase a 1-0 deficit and win at Florida for the seventh straight time.

Nathan Horton scored for the Panthers, whose six-game unbeaten streak (3-0-3) at home was snapped.

Jeff Hackett finished with 29 saves for Philadelphia and won for the first time in nine decisions (1-6-2).

Flyers captain Keith Primeau broke his right thumb, but it was not determined how long he will be out.

Red Wings 4, Hurricanes 1

In Raleigh, North Carolina, Pavel Datsyuk and Steve Yzerman scored 1:06 apart, and Kris Draper added a short-handed goal, lifting Detroit over Carolina.

Draper also scored from his knees while tangled with Carolina goaltender Jamie Storr and defenseman Sean Hill with 3:10 remaining to put it away for the Red Wings.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have scored more than two goals just once in 14 games and were 0-for-8 on the power play.

Kevyn Adams scored a short-handed goal for Carolina.

Oilers 2, Wild 1

In St. Paul, Minnesota, Ryan Smyth scored a short-handed goal nine-seconds into the third period, snapping a tie and lifting Edmonton over Minnesota.

Tommy Salo stopped 24 shots for the Oilers, who won the first of a six-game road trip.

Minnesota's franchise-record unbeaten streak ended at nine games (4-0-5).

The Wild missed a chance to tie the game with seven minutes remaining when Marian Gaborik hit the crossbar with a wrist shot from 7.5m out.

Raffi Torres put Edmonton on top 1-0 late in the first period.

The Wild tied it with 3:53 left in the second period when Matt Johnson scored.

Sabres 5, Mighty Ducks 2

In Buffalo, New York, Curtis Brown, Chris Drury and Dmitri Kalinin each had a goal and an assist to lead Buffalo past Anaheim.

Miroslav Satan and Daniel Briere also scored for Buffalo, which has won four of five.

Martin Biron made 24 saves for his second straight win.

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