NHL ROUNDUP : Richter’s Streak Ends at 20 as Panthers Defeat Rangers

Goaltender Mike Richter’s club-record 20-game unbeaten streak came to an end Wednesday night as the New York Rangers lost, 3-2, to the Florida Panthers at Miami.

“It sounds funny, but the disappointment of losing the game is bigger than the streak,” said Richter, who had been 17-0-3 since Oct. 22, when he lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. “We got what we deserved tonight because we didn’t play a full 60 minutes.”

Richter was outplayed by former teammate John Vanbiesbrouck.

Vanbiesbrouck, who played 10 seasons with the Rangers and the last five alternating with Richter, had 33 saves, including 16 in the final period while the Panthers held their 3-2 lead. Richter faced 20 shots.

“This is a great feeling to beat the Rangers,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “I was in New York for a decade.”

Scott Mellanby had an assist and scored the decisive goal to lift the Panthers. His power-play goal gave the Panthers a 3-1 lead at 6:07 of the second period.

N.Y. Islanders 5, Montreal 3--The Islanders scored four times in the first period at Montreal in stretching their unbeaten streak to six games.

Montreal goaltender Patrick Roy suffered a flare-up of a nagging neck injury and left at 9:42 of the first period after giving up two goals on only four shots. His replacement, Andre Racicot, gave up two goals in his first three shots.

Toronto 2, San Jose 2--Todd Elik scored two goals and Arturs Irbe made 27 saves at Toronto to help the Sharks end a six-game losing streak.

Dave Andreychuk, with his league-leading 29th goal, and Sylvain Lefebvre scored for Toronto.

Hartford 6, New Jersey 3--Pat Verbeek scored twice and backup goaltender Frank Pietrangelo, who hadn’t played since Nov. 24, stopped 20 of 22 shots for the Whalers at Hartford, Conn.

Edmonton 7, Calgary 3--Scott Pearson scored twice at Edmonton to help the Oilers win for the fourth time in their last six games.