Kovalchuk scores another two to lead Thrashers to big win

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Ilya Kovalchuk scored twice, giving
him six goals in the past two games, as the Atlanta Thrashers
routed the Carolina Hurricanes 9-0 in National Hockey League
play on Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Thrashers set a new franchise record for goals in one
game in the rout, while the Hurricanes saw their
franchise-record nine-game winning streak snapped.

It was the worst loss for the Hurricanes since the team
moved from Hartford and the team’s first home ice loss this
season. Carolina had not lost since an October 20 overtime loss
against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Atlanta scored five goals in the first period, the first
two against Martin Gerber, who was pulled after the Thrashers
second goal in favor of Cam Ward, who then allowed seven goals
the rest of the game.

Kovalchuk scored four goals against Tampa Bay on Friday
night and opened the scoring eight minutes into the first
period. Scott Mellanby, Bobby Holik, Jim Slater and Kovalchuk
with his second of the night made it 5-0 after 20 minutes.

Marian Hossa and Greg de Vries scored in the second period
and Serge Aubin and Peter Bondra added third period markers to
complete the scoring for the Thrashers.

Hossa added a pair of assists for the Thrashers and Marc
Savard had four assists as Atlanta dominated the game,
out-shooting the Hurricanes 36-19.

Mike Dunham started in goal for the Thrashers and made five
saves in the first period before being pulled for precautionary
reasons with a sore groin with a 5-0 lead.

Adam Berkhoel played the final two periods for the
Thrashers and made 14 saves the rest of the way.

Eric Staal was held pointless for the first time in 10
games for Carolina.

In Montreal, Jeff O’Neill scored a power play goal with 47
seconds remaining in overtime as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat
the Canadiens 5-4.

Bryan McCabe, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Kyle Wellwood and Jason
Allison scored the other goals for Toronto. Ed Belfour made 31
saves.

Andrei Markov, Michael Ryder, Steve Begin and Alexei
Kovalev scored for the Canadiens. Jose Theodore made 19 saves.

In Pittsburgh, Jaromir Jagr scored three goals as the New
York Rangers beat the Penguins 6-1.

Steve Rucchin scored twice and Jed Ortmeyer scored the
other goal for the Rangers. Kevin Weekes made 23 saves.

Mark Recchi scored for the Penguins. Joselyn Thibault made
35 saves.

In East Rutherford, Grant Marshall scored the game-winning
goal at 15:17 in the second period as the New Jersey Devils
beat the Washington Capitals 3-2.

Vladimir Malakhov and Jamie Langenbrunner scored the other
goals for the Devils. Martin Brodeur made 18 saves.

Matt Bradley and Brian Sutherby scored for the Capitals.
Brent Johnson made 25 saves.

In Ottawa, Dany Heatley scored twice as the red-hot
Senators beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-1.

Chris Neil, Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Fisher and Jason Spezza
scored the other goals for Ottawa (13-2-0). Ray Emery made 24
saves as Heatley extended his scoring streak to 15 games.

Derek Roy scored for the Sabres. Martin Biron made 31
saves.

In Philadelphia, Mike Knuble scored the game-winning goal
with four seconds remaining in the third period as the Flyers
beat the Florida Panthers 5-4.

In Uniondale, Shawn Bates scored twice as the New York
Islanders beat the Boston Bruins 5-2.

In Nashville, Scott Hartnell scored twice as the Predators
beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1.