Messier Injured in Victory

Harry York’s goal and two assists led visiting Vancouver to a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night in a game in which Canuck captain Mark Messier left early because of a head injury.

Messier was injured on his second shift when he crashed into the Flames’ net after scoring a goal at 3:36.

After Markus Naslund fed him a pass near the crease, Messier jammed the puck past Flame goalie Jean Giguere and then fell on his back and slammed the back of his head heavily on the ice. After laying flat on his back in the goal crease for a couple of minutes, Messier was helped off the ice to the applause of the Canadian Airlines Saddledome crowd.

It was the 11th goal of the season for Messier, who turns 38 on Jan. 18.

The Canuck said Messier will be re-evaluated today.

Garth Snow made his 19th consecutive start in goal for the Canucks and made 23 saves.

Phoenix 6, Detroit 2--Dallas Drake had a goal and two assists as the Coyotes beat the struggling Red Wings at Detroit.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings have lost three straight, four of their last five and are 4-10 against teams with above .500 records.

The Coyotes moved within two points of first-place Dallas in the Pacific Division.

N.Y. Islanders 3, St. Louis 3--Todd Gill spoiled Zigmund Palffy’s return to the Islanders with his first goal of the season in the final six minute, giving the Blues a tie at Uniondale, N.Y.

The high-scoring Palffy, playing his first game since ending a long holdout last week, also assisted on two goals.

Around the NHL

New York Islander goalie Tommy Salo will be sidelined at least two weeks after breaking the index finger on his right hand while stopping a shot during Sunday’s loss to Phoenix. . . . Nashville Predator goalie Mike Dunham will likely miss three weeks because of a strain groin. He recently missed seven games because of a similar injury. . . . Recently retired defenseman Al Iafrate, 32, hasn’t ruled out attempting a comeback with the Carolina Hurricanes, his agent said. Iafrate retired in September because of problems with his surgically repaired knees. . . . The New York Islanders claimed former New York Ranger defenseman Eric Cairns off waivers.