New Deal Scores Points With Bondra

Too bad Peter Bondra can’t agree to a new contract every night.

The Washington Capital right wing celebrated his four-year contract extension with a hat trick in Thursday night’s 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington.

“I was too excited the first period, a little bit too much,” Bondra said. “I made myself sick.”

But in the second period, he scored his 28th, 29th and 30th goals for his franchise-best 16th career hat trick in a wild period that included seven goals.

Before the game, Bondra agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $18 million. The Capitals have options on the third and fourth years. Bondra is making $3.75 million this season.

It marked a remarkable turnaround for a player who asked to be traded at the start of the season.

“I’m happy for Peter,” defenseman Sergei Gonchar said. “He deserves it. You can see after he signed the deal he was so excited, he was flying all over the ice.”

Montreal 3, Boston 0--Jose Theodore got his second shutout of the season at Boston.

Trevor Linden and Patrick Poulin scored in the first period and Theodore was rarely tested despite stopping 39 shots in both teams’ last game before the All-Star break. Montreal took only 13 shots.

Dallas 4, San Jose 2--Defenseman Darryl Sydor scored the go-ahead goal at San Jose as the Stars ended a three-game losing streak.

The game was marred by a scary hit on Dallas winger Grant Marshall. Marshall was elbowed by Shark captain Owen Nolan late in the first period and hit his head hard on the ice. Marshall suffered a concussion and was hospitalized for observation.

Vancouver 5, Colorado 3--Rookie Daniel Sedin scored the go-ahead goal in a third-period rally at Vancouver, Canada.

Colorado had its eight-game win streak end and failed to record at least one point for the first time since Dec. 26, a stretch of 17 games.

St. Louis 2, Columbus 2--Pavol Demitra set up both Blue goals at St. Louis in his return from a 17-game absence because of a bruised retina.

Demitra was sidelined since Dec. 30 after getting hit in the right eye by a stick. He was on a roll with five goals and five assists in five games before being injured, and picked up where he left off.

Tampa Bay 4, Buffalo 2--Kristian Kudroc scored his first goal to break a second-period 2-2 tie at Tampa, Fla., as the Lightning won back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 26-28.

Carolina 3, Atlanta 1--Arturs Irbe stopped 20 shots and Rod Brind’Amour, Kevin Hatcher and Martin Gelinas scored at Atlanta to lead the Hurricanes.

Philadelphia 2, New York Islanders 0--Roman Cechmanek made 22 saves at Philadelphia for his fifth shutout.

Calgary 5, Chicago 3--Jarome Iginla scored his 17th and 18th goals as the Flames picked up a badly needed two points at Calgary.

Around the League

Pittsburgh made another trade to add more size and toughness, acquiring center Wayne Primeau from Tampa Bay for forward Matthew Barnaby. . . . Washington acquired right wing Brantt Myhres from Nashville for future considerations. . . . Tampa Bay signed free agent Grant Ledyard for the remainder of the season. . . . Colorado right wing Milan Hejduk was named to the World All-Star team, replacing injured New Jersey right wing Alexander Mogilny.