Florida Comes Back

It was a day of comebacks as the Florida Panthers defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2 Sunday night on Rob Niedermayer’s goal with 29 seconds left.

Florida Coach Doug MacLean made his return to the bench after being suspended for two games for going after an official after an overtime loss to Buffalo Nov. 4.

Niedermayer, who had his second goal in as many nights after returning last week from a concussion, swatted in a rebound off a miss by Robert Svehla just outside the crease. Scott Mellanby also got an assist on the play for his 500th career NHL point.

Detroit 6, Calgary 3--Brendan Shanahan had two goals and an assist and Igor Larionov had one goal and two assists to lift the Red Wings over the Flames at Detroit.

Carolina 4, Ottawa 1--The smallest crowd in the NHL this season saw the Carolina Hurricanes overpower Ron Tugnutt for a victory over Ottawa, ending the Senators’ three-game road winning streak.

Attendance was announced at 5,551 but seemed smaller because it was spread throughout the 20,800-seat Greensboro Coliseum. Fans seated in the upper level could clearly hear players talking to each other.