NHL ROUNDUP : New Sabre Wood Helps Team Win, 3-1

Randy Wood, traded to the Buffalo Sabres from New York Islanders earlier in the day, got an assist in the Sabres’ 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks Friday night at Buffalo.

The key player in the trade, holdout center Pat LaFontaine, didn’t make it to Memorial Auditorium in time for the game. It was simply a case of timing, said his agent, Don Meehan, who added that LaFontaine wasn’t unhappy with his contract. A contract dispute had kept LaFontaine from playing for the Islanders this year.

Wood and Randy Hillier, who also was involved in the trade, arrived at the end of the Sabres’ pre-skate.

The Sabres didn’t need LaFontaine against the Sharks, who have won one of the 11 games they have played in their first NHL season.

San Jose ended a 127-minute 18-second scoreless stretch when Bob McGill scored in the third period.

Detroit 4, Toronto 0--Goalies Vince Riendeau and Tim Cheveldae combined for the shutout. It was the first shared shutout in the Red Wings’ 65-year history.

Riendeau made eight saves before leaving with a second-period knee injury, and Cheveldae played the last 33 minutes, facing only five shots.

Winnipeg 2, Philadephia 0--Goalie Bob Essensa, returning to action after missing four games because of a knee injury, turned aside 34 shots as the Jets won at Winnipeg.