Brunette Has More Fun With Goal-Scoring Streak

Andrew Brunette is running out of ways to say how lucky he is.

The Washington Capitals’ rookie hit new heights with his remarkable scoring run Thursday night at Washington, getting his first third-period game-winner--and ninth goal in as many games--in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

“Like I’ve said before, and I’ll say it a hundred times, I’m really lucky to be where I am,” said Brunette, who has scored in all but one game since being recalled from the minors Dec. 28. “There are a lot of good hockey players in the minors who never get the opportunity that I’m getting now.”

Brunette was leading the AHL in scoring when he was called up--he’s the leading career scorer for the Portland Pirates--but he’s become the ultimate opportunist as the Capitals have won five of their last six games.

His game-winner, with 9:24 to play, was typical. He was stationed in front of the crease to put in the rebound after goaltender Andrei Trefilov couldn’t handle Peter Bondra’s poke shot from the right circle.

Since his callup, Brunette has taken 20 shots and made nine--a 45% success rate--prompting Coach Ron Wilson to say that the rookie’s run comes from more than just playing with good players.

“There’s lot of others guys who play in those positions and don’t score,” Wilson said. “He doesn’t miss many. He goes to the front of the net and isn’t afraid to pay the price.”

Colorado 2, San Jose 2--Joe Sakic scored his 10th power-play goal of the season, and the Avalanche rallied at Denver to extend the winless streak of the Sharks to six games.

Sakic fired a low drive from the slot past Mike Vernon with 8:07 left in regulation for his 22nd goal.

The score was set up by Peter Forsberg, the NHL’s scoring leader, who also had a goal and now has 59 points.

It was Colorado’s 16th tie this season. The NHL record for a season is 24 by the 1969-70 Philadelphia Flyers.

Marty McSorley had given the Sharks a brief 2-1 lead 48 seconds before Sakic’s goal. McSorley converted as pass from Jeff Friesen for his second goal this season for San Jose, 0-5-1 in its last six games.

Although outshot, 15-5, in the first period, Colorado led on Forsberg’s 18th goal. It was the only shot on goal for Colorado in the first 16 minutes.

Buffalo 6, Vancouver 2--Jason Dawe scored twice in 15 seconds during a four-goal second period as the Sabres defeated the slumping Canucks at Buffalo.

Matthew Barnaby and Jason Woolley added goals 14 seconds apart later in the period as the Sabres won their second in a row and extended the Canucks’ winless string to six games.

It marked only second time this season that Buffalo, the third-lowest scoring team in the league, had four goals in one period.

NHL Notes

The Montreal Canadiens traded forwards Stephane Richer and Darcy Tucker and defenseman David Wilkie to the Tampa Bay Lightning for forwards Mick Vukota and Patrick Poulin and defenseman Igor Ulanov. . . . Pitsburgh all-star wing Jaromir Jagr says only minor details need to be worked out in the $48-million, six-year contract he expects to sign as early as this weekend. . . . The Buffalo Sabres picked up the $4-million option year on Dominik Hasek’s contract, keeping the goalie with the team through the 1998-99 season.