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Phoenix Coyotes send coach Bob Francis packing

Islanders' Sven Betenschon, left, battles Bruins' Joe Thorton in the first period of their game at the Nassau County Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, Tuesday. PHOTO: EPA

Bob Francis was fired as coach of the struggling Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday after leading the team to the playoffs twice in the last four seasons.

The Coyotes have won just two of their last 14 games and are in last place in the Pacific Division and 13th in the Western Conference.

Assistant Rick Bowness, former head coach at Ottawa, was named interim coach for the remainder of the season.

"We felt that it was time for a change in direction," general manager Michael Barnett said. "Sometimes, good coaches get replaced. Bob is a good coach and we wish him all the best in the future."

Francis, the son of Hall of Famer Emile Francis, is the franchise leader in victories and games coached. He was the NHL's coach of the year in 2001-2002.

Bowness has coached four NHL teams. He led the Winnipeg Jets (1988-1989), Boston Bruins (1991-1992), Ottawa Senators (1992-1996) and the Islanders (1996-1998).

Bruins 0, Islanders 0

In Uniondale, New York, bad ice was the culprit in this tie between the Bruins and the Islanders. The start was delayed 90 minutes because of a hole in the ice around one of the goal creases.

Rick DiPietro made 28 saves for the Islanders, and Bruins counterpart Felix Potvin stopped 33 shots as Boston was shut out for the second straight night. Florida beat the Bruins 2-0 Monday.

Flames 2, Avalanche 0

In Denver, Martin Gelinas' goal on a deflection broke a scoreless tie with 2:19 remaining and Miikka Kiprusoff had 26 saves as Atlanta shut out Colorado.

Kiprusoff, the NHL leader in goals-against average and save percentage, posted his second shutout of the season and fifth of his career.
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