Kolzig Takes His Turn Saving Capitals’ Victory

Peter Bondra and Olaf Kolzig have taken turns helping the Washington Capitals to big victories. It was Kolzig’s turn Sunday against Philadelphia.

Kolzig made 33 saves, including 25 in the final two periods, and Bondra and Adam Oates each had a goal and two assists, giving the Capitals a 4-2 victory at Washington’s MCI Center.

Kolzig made several clutch stops in the third period when the Flyers became aggressive after the Capitals had taken a 3-1 lead. Philadelphia held a 35-19 advantage in shots, and Kolzig was a key to the Washington victory.

“One guy was the difference in the game, and we all know who that was,” Flyer Coach Bill Barber said. “Kolzig was the difference.”

Kolzig said the win was important for the Capitals because they played so poorly Saturday in a 4-2 loss at Montreal.

“Both teams played last night, so both teams had the same energy level,” Kolzig said. “There was a lot of energy and excitement, 3-2 with an empty-netter, you can’t ask for any more than that. And the Caps win too.”

Montreal 4, Ottawa 1--The Canadiens completed a successful weekend at home that featured victories over two tough opponents.

Trevor Linden had a goal and two assists to help the Canadiens end the Senators’ five-game winning streak.

“It feels good to beat Ottawa,” Linden said. “They’re a very good team.”

Linden had two assists the day before in a win over Washington as he returned to the lineup after sitting out 12 games because of a broken foot.

Ottawa lost for only the second time in 12 games. The Senators had won four in a row over the Canadiens, including the last two in Montreal.

Chicago 6, Vancouver 2--Tony Amonte scored twice and added an assist and Jocelyn Thibault made 38 saves at Vancouver, Canada, as the Blackhawks ended a three-game losing streak.

Amonte opened the scoring 3:45 in with a 35-foot slap shot. He scored his second goal on a power play with 31 seconds left in the second period to give the Blackhawks a 4-1 lead.

Around the League

Defenseman Al MacInnis of the St. Louis Blues will sit out the NHL All-Star game after sustaining an eye injury during Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks. MacInnis was examined Sunday by a doctor, who determined he has an eyelid laceration, a corneal abrasion and blood in the eye chamber. MacInnis left the game in the third period after taking a high stick from Scott Hannan. MacInnis received stitches to his left eyelid and did not return. . . . Rookie forward Denis Hamel of the Buffalo Sabres will sit out the rest of the season because of a torn right knee ligament suffered when he was checked by defenseman Zdeno Chara and fell awkwardly into the end boards during Saturday night’s game against the New York Islanders. . . . The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled forward Matt Elich from Detroit of the International Hockey League.