Matteau’s Goals Lead Charge for Sharks

Stephane Matteau scored two goals to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues Thursday night in San Jose.

Mike Ricci, Bryan Marchment and Alexander Korolyuk each had a goal and an assist, and Jeff Friesen also scored for the Sharks.

San Jose, undefeated in its last four, improved to 13-0 when leading after two periods.

Al MacInnis had two goals and Dallas Drake also scored for the Blues, who lost for the first time in San Jose in nearly three years.

Calgary 2, Nashville 1--Dave Lowry scored the winning goal late in second period and Fred Brathwaite made 18 saves for the Flames at Calgary, Canada.

Around the League

Buffalo Sabre forward Rob Ray’s suspension for abuse of officials was reduced from 10 to seven games by the league after a review by Commissioner Gary Bettman. . . . Craig Berube was traded by the Washington Capitals to the New York Islanders for a ninth-round pick in the 2001 draft. . . . Phoenix developer Steve Ellman secured a $20-million loan from French bank Societe Generale SA, moving him and Wayne Gretzky a step closer to completing their purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes, the Arizona Republic reported. . . . New York Ranger goalie Mike Richter had fluid drained from his left knee and is questionable for games this weekend at Boston and at home against Minnesota, the team said.