Articles by Doug Stolhand

There may never have been more believers in the NHL’s Western Conference. At least not in February.Even though the season is nearly two-thirds done, every team in the West still thinks it has a chance to play into the spring.

DALLAS – Sean Avery cleared waivers Monday and the next step for the Dallas Stars is to find a team for the controversial left-winger to resume playing again with.

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Blues have locked up a key member of their franchise.Andy McDonald has signed a four-year contract extension with the NHL team.

NEW YORK – Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick was named National Hockey League first star of the week Monday.Quick recorded three consecutive road victories last week.

Canadian sports network TSN reported Monday afternoon that forward Sean Avery has cleared waivers.

The New York Rangers’ American League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, is a likely destination for Avery’s return to professional hockey due to the fact that Dallas currently does not have its own AHL team.

Scoring summaries from Sunday’s games:Oilers 2 at Wild 3 (SO)First Period1. Edmonton, Souray 14 (Grebeshkov, Hemsky) 6:26 (pp)2. Minnesota, Belanger 11 (Nolan, Johnsson) 18:19Penalties – Sheppard Min (hooking) 4:29, Clutterbuck Min (tripping) 6:08, Boogaard Min (slashing) 9:35, Souray Edm (roughing) 9:46, Veilleux Min (slashing) 14:43.

Movements in the world of hockey:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Assigned D Brendan Mikkelson to Iowa (AHL).COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS-Placed G Steve Mason on injured reserve, retroactive to Feb.

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Guillaume Desbiens scored the winning goal as the Manitoba Moose beat the Manchester Monarchs 3-2 in American Hockey League action Sunday.

DALLAS – Brian Sutherby scored a short-handed goal, Brad Richards had a power-play goal and an assist, and the Dallas Stars ended the Nashville Predators’ four-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory Sunday night.

TORONTO – Tim Stapleton’s all-star break resolution is paying off.Stapleton scored three of his four goals in the first period as the Toronto Marlies drilled the visiting Grand Rapids Griffins 10-5 in American Hockey League play Sunday.

TORONTO – Tim Stapleton scored three goals in the first period as the Toronto Marlies drilled the visiting Grand Rapids Griffins 10-5 in American Hockey League play Sunday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Mikko Koivu’s shootout goal lifted the Minnesota Wild to a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.Koivu skated in on Dwayne Roloson’s right side and slipped the puck through the five-hole after teammates Antti Miettinen, Marek Zidlicky and Brent Burns all failed to score.

ATLANTA – Jeff Carter scored twice and the Philadelphia Flyers withstood an Atlanta comeback to extend their domination of the Thrashers, holding on for a 3-2 victory Sunday.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Buffalo Sabres are going to have to make due without top goal-scorer Thomas Vanek.The NHL team announced Sunday that the winger is expected to be out of the lineup for three to four weeks with a fractured jaw.

PITTSBURGH – Marian Hossa reminded the Pittsburgh Penguins of how good he was during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ty Conklin reminded them of how good he was last season.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild assigned defencemen Kurtis Foster to their American Hockey League affiliate in Houston on Sunday to start a conditioning assignment.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Blue Jackets have put rookie goaltender Steve Mason on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 4 because he has been sidelined with a viral infection.

Scoring summaries from Saturday’s games:Ducks 2 at Flames 1 First Period1. Anaheim, Ryan 18 (Ebbett) 4:55Penalties – None.Second Period2. Anaheim, Perry 20, 19:31Penalties – Brown Ana (interference) 4:02, Sarich Cal (interference) 7:17, Parros Ana, Roy Cal (fighting) 12:12, R.

VANCOUVER, B.C. – A productive power play helps but the Vancouver Canucks can’t expect it to be the difference every game, says Mats Sundin.Especially after they are still digging out from being snowed under by an eight-game NHL losing streak.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Tuomo Ruutu scored twice, and Sergei Samsonov added a goal and three assists to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat Phoenix 7-2 on Saturday night, the Coyotes’ sixth straight loss.