Blues-Avalanche Preview

Colorado Avalanche coach Patrick Roy is excited that his No. 1 goalie appears set to return.

There's a chance Tuesday night's opponent could start the only goalie in NHL history with more wins than Roy.

Gaudreau nets 3, Giordono gets winner for Flames

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In a city defined by Hollywood star power, Calgary Flames rookie forwardJohnny Gaudreau showed the Los Angeles Kings why he might be the NHL's next big thing.

Gaudreau scored twice in the final 2:12 of the third period to

NHL-Highlights of Monday's NHL games

Dec 22 (The Sports Xchange) - Highlights of Monday's National Hockey League games:

- - -

Panthers 4, Penguins 3 (SO)

Jimmy Hayes scored two third-period goals and center

Czechs win world ice hockey bronze

Czech Republic grabbed bronze at the world ice hockey championship on Sunday with a tight 3-2 win over the last year's champions Finland.

Goalkeeper Jakub Stepanek produced 34 saves, while Edmonton Oilers winger Ales Hemsky made two assists to lead the Czechs to their second consecutive bronze medal.

Coyotes making hockey cool in the desert again

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Westgate entertainment district is nearly empty, a few people watching their kids play in the fountains, a handful of others scattered among the tables and barstools inside the restaurants and bars.

Colorado Avalanche sign 3 goaltending prospects

DENVER (AP) The Colorado Avalanche have signed three goaltending prospects to entry-level contracts.

Sami Aittokallio (ay-toh-KAHL-ee-oh), Kieran Millan (KEER-uhn MILL-ahn) and Kent Patterson inked deal Friday.

Capitals-Rangers Preview

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) Brad Richards is getting ready for theRangers' latest Game 7 the same way the star forward did years ago when he was a kid with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Well, almost the same.

Caps, Rangers practice once more before Game 7

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) Brad Richards is getting ready for theRangers' latest Game 7 the same way the star forward did years ago when he was a kid with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Well, almost the same.

Canada come back to upset hockey hosts Finland

Olympic champions Canada battled back from two goals down to clinch their group lead with a 5-3 win over reigning champions, and co-hosts of the world ice hockey championship, Finland here Friday.

New York Islanders center John Tavares and Carolina Hurricanescenter Jeff Skinner both collected a goal and an assist, while goalie Cam Ward made 35 saves to lift their team on top of their group.

Ice hockey: Malkin hat-trick helps Russia hammer Sweden

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A hat-trick by Yevgeni Malkin helped Russia hammer Sweden 7-3 to knock them off top spot in Group S in the ice hockey world championship preliminary round in Stockholm on Friday.

Co-hosts Finland were also beaten, losing 5-3 to Canada in Helsinki.

U.S. beats Belarus, Finland flattens France at ice hockey world championships

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The United States survived an early scare to beat Belarus 5-3 while Finland turned on the style to destroy France 7-1 in Group H action at the ice hockey world championships in Helsinki on Thursday.

Reunited ex-Flyers Carter, Richards leading Kings

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Mike Richards pays the cleaning lady and walks Arnold, an ice cream-eating black lab. Jeff Carter's job is to supply dinner most nights at the beautiful Manhattan Beach house they've shared ever since their hockey careers improbably reconnected last winter, just a few months after the Philadelphia Flyers split them apart.

US beats Kazakhstan 3-2 at hockey worlds

HELSINKI (AP) Justin Faulk of the Carolina Hurricanes scored four minutes into overtime for his second goal of the game Friday, sending the United States to a 3-2 victory over Kazakhstan at hockey's world championships.

BC-AP Sports Preview Digest

Some of the stories The Associated Press is covering Friday. A full Sports Digest will move about 3 p.m. All times EDT:

- LOS ANGELES - Injured Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are listed as game-time decisions for the Clippers, who try for the second time to close out a first-round playoff against Memphis in Game 6. Game starts 9 p.m.

Reimer stops 25 shots as Leafs blank Penguins 1-0

TORONTO (AP)—It was only a week ago when Clarke MacArthur was demoted to Toronto’s fourth line. Now he’s scoring big goals again as the Maple Leafs make a push for the playoffs.

MacArthur scored late in the third period and James Reimer stopped 25 shots to give Toronto a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.

Devils reach agreement with Parise on 1-year deal

NEWARK, N.J. (AP)—The New Jersey Devils have reached an agreement with high-scoring left wingZach Parise on a one-year-contract worth $6 million.

Danton resumes career with 3rd-tier Swedish team

TORONTO (AP)—Mike Danton is resuming his professional hockey career a long way from the NHL.

The 30-year-old forward is joining IFK Ore, which plays in the third tier of Sweden’s pro system. General manager Jens Nielsen confirmed the signing to The Canadian Press on Friday, but declined to comment further.

Danton resumes professional career in Sweden

ORE, Sweden (AP)—Former NHL player Mike Danton has signed a one-year contract with Swedish club IFK Ore.

Taxes already high, NYers to vote on arena plan

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP)—Residents who pay some of the highest property taxes in America are being asked to approve a plan to borrow $400 million to construct a new hockey arena and minor league ballpark.

Taxes already high, NYers to vote on arena plan

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP)—Residents who pay some of the highest property taxes in America are being asked to approve a plan to borrow $400 million to construct a new hockey arena and minor league ballpark.