Mike Modano’s third-period goal snapped a tie and lifted the slumping Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday in the return to Madison Square Garden of noted pest Sean Avery.
Avery heard boos from the crowd that mostly adored him during his one-and-a-half seasons with the Rangers, cheers when he was leveled twice in the third period, and mocking chants of his name when he picked himself off the ice following a hit by Dan Girardi.
Modano made it all worth it for the Stars, who had allowed an NHL-high 23 goals in starting the season 1-3-1.
PHOTO: AP
PENGUINS 2, BRUINS 1, SO
At Boston, Evgeni Malkin scored in the second extra round of the shootout to lift Pittsburgh over Boston in the Bruins’ home-opener.
Phil Kessel scored on Boston’s first shootout attempt before Petr Sykora tied it on the Penguins’ second shot. Malkin beat goaltender Tim Thomas with a forehand shot inside the left post, and Pittsburgh goalie Dany Sabourin stopped Boston’s Marc Savard’s wrist shot, ending the contest.
It was the Penguins’ fourth overtime game (3-1) in their seven contests this season.
CANADIENS 3, PANTHERS 1
At Montreal, Francis Bouillon scored 10:53 into the third period in his season debut and the Canadiens extended their winning streak to five games with a victory over Florida.
Bouillon, who was sidelined by a leg injury in Montreal’s first five games of the season, restored the Canadiens’ one-goal lead when he drove a slap shot from the left point past Tomas Vokoun for an unassisted goal.
Saku Koivu recorded his 600th career point when he scored for a third straight game in the second period. Tomas Plekanec scored into an empty net with 21.1 seconds remaining.
Jaroslav Halak stopped 35 shots in his second start of the season, losing a shutout bid on Keith Ballard’s tying goal 7:20 into the third. The 23-year-old Slovak allowed one goal in a 6-1 win in Toronto on Oct. 11 that launched Montreal’s current streak.
AVALANCHE 4, KINGS 3
At Los Angeles, Ryan Smyth had two goals and Milan Hejduk extended his season-opening goal streak to six games, leading Colorado over Los Angeles.
David Jones scored his first of the season for the Avalanche, who have gotten goals from a league-high 15 different players through the first week-and-a-half of the season.
Paul Stastny had two assists, giving the Smyth-Stastny-Hejduk line a combined total of 11 goals and 24 points.
Peter Budaj made 26 saves for his first victory this season, after coming in 0-3 with a 4.38 goals-against average and a save percentage of .824.
Oscar Moller and defenseman Drew Doughty each scored their first NHL goals for the Kings. Moller also assisted on a goal by Patrick O’Sullivan.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and