Rookie Matt Calvert scored a hat-trick to break open a tie game and propel the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 5-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Coyotes have now lost two straight games after winning eight consecutive while the Blue Jackets have won three straight games as they try to climb back into a playoff position in the Western Conference.
The Coyotes started quickly with two goals in the opening eight minutes and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov stopped Blue Jackets winger R.J. Umberger on a penalty shot.
The Coyotes ran into a string of penalties which allowed the Blue Jackets to turn the momentum in their favor before the end of the period.
Umberger and Jakub Voracek both scored on the powerplay to tie the game.
Calvert scored his first of three straight also on the powerplay early in the second period to push the Blue Jackets ahead.
He batted his second goal in out of the air and wrapped up the natural hat trick lifting a loose puck over Bryzgalov in a crowded crease, prompting the fans to toss their hats to the ice.
Lori Korpikoski scored a late goal for the Coyotes to narrow the final gap to two.
Lightning 2, Devils 1
In Tampa, Florida, Martin St Louis and Simon Gagne scored early second-period goals as Tampa Bay beat New Jersey, ending the Devils’ eight-game winning streak.
The victory came just days after the Lightning stopped Phoenix’s stretch of eight straight wins with a 8-3 victory in Tampa, Florida.
Johan Hedberg kept New Jersey within reach late in the second by stopping shots by Teddy Purcell and Steven Stamkos. Mark Fayne scored in the third period for the Devils, but they couldn’t get the equaling score.
Dwayne Roloson finished with 19 saves for Tampa Bay.
Rangers 6, Capitals 0
In Washington, Erik Christensen had two goals and two assists and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 35 shots for his league-leading eighth shutout of the season for New York.
Christensen had a career-high four points as New York won its second straight game.
The six-goal margin of victory was the first time the Rangers have won by more than two since a 7-0 rout of Toronto on Jan. 19.
Washington went 0 for 5 on the power play and was booed by the home crowd on several occasions.
In other NHL play, it was
‧ Hurricanes 4, Penguins 1
‧ Panthers 2, Thrashers 1, SO
‧ Sabres 4, Senators 2
‧ Sharks 4, Flames 3, SO
‧ Blues 5, Oilers 0
‧ Wild 3, Ducks 2, OT
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at