News

BOSTON – The Boston Bruins have signed backup goalie Tuukka Rask to a US$2.5-million, two-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2011-12 season

As tough as it’s been for Ron Wilson to watch his Toronto Maple Leafs play on some nights this season, he’s been given reason to smile when watching other NHL teams on television

DETROIT – Tomas Holmstrom is very motivated to get off to a strong start with the Detroit Red Wings.The 36-year-old forward wants to show he’s not a washed-up player, whose lacklustre production last season was a result of injuries, not years of hits taking a toll

Even in retirement, Brett Hull finds himself defending the controversial goal that won the Dallas Stars the 1999 Stanley Cup.The most memorable moment of his Hall of Fame career continues to be tainted in the eyes of some – the majority of whom Hull figures will never truly listen to his explanation

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks placed defenceman Rob Blake on injured reserve with an undisclosed upper-body injury Thursday.The team also recalled defenceman Derek Joslin from Worcester of the American Hockey League

TORONTO – The National Hockey League suspended Vancouver Canucks defenceman Shane O’Brien for one game Thursday.His stick made contact with Sean Avery of the New York Rangers while both players were on their respective benches in a game last Tuesday

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus may have trouble holding on to the NHL’s Blue Jackets because the club has been losing US$12 million a year in central Ohio, according to a report released Thursday by a business group

BOSTON – Boston Bruins centre David Krejci will stay away from the team for the next 3-5 days while he is quarantined with the swine flu.General manager Peter Chiarelli said Thursday that the team’s medical staff confirmed a diagnosis of the H1N1 virus that will keep the 23-year-old forward at home

DENVER – Feeling much better after a recent bout with swine flu, Peter Budaj made his long-awaited season debut.Not that many were on hand to see it

DALLAS – Calgary coach Brent Sutter recently asked for more from captain Jarome Iginla, and that’s what Sutter got.Iginla scored a power-play goal at 1:25 of overtime – his second goal of the game – to give the Flames a 3-2 comeback victory over the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With the flick of his wrists, San Jose defenceman Dan Boyle kept San Jose’s streak alive in a physical game against Ken Hitchcock’s Blue Jackets

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida goalie Tomas Vokoun simply wouldn’t let the Carolina Hurricanes end their losing streak.Vokoun made 32 saves, including 21 in the first period, for his second straight shutout and the Panthers extended Carolina’s winless streak to 10 games with a 3-0 victory Wednesday night

NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils got their first break at home this season when the Washington Capitals scratched injured Alex Ovechkin from the lineup

After being shut out by the New York Islanders four days ago, Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres returned the favour.Miller made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season and 14th overall, and Thomas Vanek had a goal and assist in Buffalo’s 3-0 victory Wednesday night

As expected, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is out of the lineup because of an upper-body strain.Ovechkin has been termed “week to week” by the Capitals, but the two-time NHL MVP was not ruled out beyond Wednesday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have dry-erase boards in the dressing room, nestled between the showers and training room, that show how they stack up

Luc Robitaille has a conspiracy theory about one of the few bad memories he was left with after a Hall of Fame career.The former Los Angeles Kings star believes the Montreal Canadiens were tipped off during the 1993 Stanley Cup final, when Habs coach Jacques Demers famously had Marty McSorley’s illegal stick measured late in Game 2 – a desperate move that changed the entire series

DALLAS – The Dallas Stars are getting back two of their longtime standout players.Centre Mike Modano and winger Jere Lehtinen have been activated from injured reserve before the Stars’ home game Wednesday night against Calgary

TORONTO – New York Rangers forward Dane Byers was handed a one-game suspension by the NHL on Wednesday while coach John Tortorella was fined US$10,000

KERAVA, Finland – The Canadian women’s hockey team prepared for this.In their third road game in four nights, Canada doubled host Finland 4-2 at the Four Nations Cup hockey tournament in Kerava