Articles by Doug Stolhand

PITTSBURGH – For one period, the Pittsburgh Penguins finally started to look like the offensive juggernaut they thought they could be.Petr Sykora and Kris Letang each had two goals, and Sidney Crosby got back into action with a goal and three assists as Pittsburgh scored five third-period goals in a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.

OTTAWA – Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk lashed out at critics who suggest it’s time to dismantle his struggling team and rebuild Wednesday, offering up an incendiary comment of his own in response.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild centre Krys Kolanos was waived Wednesday, and the team recalled forward Peter Olvecky from its AHL affiliate in Houston.

RAPPERSWIL, Switzerland – The Zurich Lions shut out defending champion Metallurg Magnitogorsk 5-0 for the European club crown Wednesday and the right to play an NHL team in a US$1 million challenge game.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Alex Ovechkin was given Wednesday off, an excused absence from practice that Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said had nothing to do with the “stinger” the league’s reigning MVP got from a shoulder-first crash into the boards.

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have signed star forward Henrik Zetterberg to a 12-year contract, the longest in team history.
The announcement was made Wednesday.

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs assigned goaltender Justin Pogge to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.Pogge made 15 saves in a 6-1 loss at Minnesota on Tuesday night and was scheduled to return to the AHL afterwards regardless of how he fared.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan State hockey player who participated in an on-ice attack on a Michigan skater has withdrawn from the university after being suspended from the team.

Scoring summaries from Tuesday’s NHL games:Devils 4 at Senators 1First Period1. New Jersey, Elias 21 (Gionta) 4:25Penalties – Foligno Ott (hooking) 5:36, Shanahan NJ (high-sticking) 13:21, Holik NJ (hooking) 15:58.

DETROIT – A report says the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a contract extension with left-wing Henrik Zetterberg that could pay him more than US$7 million a year for 10 years.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Corey Perry knows the Anaheim Ducks are going to need a few opportune bounces of the puck if they are going to make a move in the standings.

Movements in the world of hockey Tuesday:National Hockey LeagueNHL-Suspended Pittsburgh F Matt Cooke two games as a result of a blow delivered to the head of Carolina F Scott Walker during a Jan.

EDMONTON – Drew Stafford’s first of three goals just 10 seconds into the game set the tone as the Buffalo Sabres crushed the Edmonton Oilers 10-2 on Tuesday night.

DENVER – Evgeni Nabokov stopped 31 shots for his 43rd career shutout, Milan Michalek scored two goals and the San Jose Sharks beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 on Tuesday night.

DALLAS – The Dallas Stars need Marty Turco at the top of his game – the way he was Tuesday night – if they hope to get back to the playoffs.Turco made 25 saves for his 35th career shutout and the Stars beat the Atlanta Thrashers 2-0.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – When Justin Pogge stepped between the pipes for Toronto on Tuesday night, so began an apprenticeship program for the young goaltender who is considered the Maple Leafs’ top prospect.

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Bay played like the all-star break was still going on during the first period. Things changed in the second.Vincent Lecavalier, Vinny Prospal and Steve Downie scored second-period goals to lead the Lightning past the Montreal Canadiens 5-3 on Tuesday night.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Michael Frolik is inspiring confidence in his coach, and in himself.The rookie had a goal and two assists to help the Florida Panthers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 Tuesday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Rick Nash has been through all the bad times with the Columbus Blue Jackets. No one is enjoying the good times more.Nash’s third goal of the game came on a rebound 3:27 into overtime to give the Blue Jackets a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators returned from the all-star break Tuesday night, but in the opinion of Craig Hartsburg, they certainly didn’t bring their best effort with them.