Shorties

"Then came those two Calgary goals 23 seconds apart that looked like they might put the game away. The first was by Iginla at the 9:34 mark after he worked through a check by defenseman Jere Karalahti and fired from a difficult angle to beat Kings goalie Felix Potvin between the pads. On the ensuing faceoff, the Flames got the puck back. Dean McAmmond made a cross-ice pass to Gauthier. Iginla again battled Karalahti, this time in front of the net. Gauthier used the screen to beat Potvin to the glove side. "This loss was my fault," Karalahti said. "I am tough and they want me to be tough. But he still got through me. It's not good." " LA Daily News 8.11.01

"Ahonen made 30 saves, several tough ones that kept the Rats in the hunt, but he's not accustomed to being on the short end as often as he's been this season. "I'm used to being a winning goalie, but so far I don't have any wins,'' said the rookie from Finland. "It's not easy for the team, either, one win so far. For me, it's more important for the team to win than for myself.'' Albany Times Union 8.11.01

Niklas Hagman and Ivan Novoseltsev are betting the over. Panthers coach Duane Sutter is betting the under, but hoping for the over. The statistic in contention is shots on goal for Hagman and Novoseltsev. Each has to get four per game. It's a running bet that began with Wednesday's 2-0 win over Pittsburgh. Sutter said Thursday, ``Ivan said, `I had three blocked shots!' I said, `Ivan, that's not a shot on goal.' '' Novoseltsev had three shots, Hagman had one. Novoseltsev is averaging 1.63 shots per game. Hagman is averaging 1.35. The goal is to get each player to use his skill without getting too cute with the puck. ``They're in debt to me now,'' Sutter said. ``If it starts to get too much out of hand, their salary is a little higher than mine, so we'll nix it quick. But, if I start paying, you know they'll be contributing.'' Of course, the way the off-ice officials in some arenas give out shots, Novoseltsev and Hagman are a few dump-ins from turning this into a sucker bet.

Pop culture scholars need no explanation as to why Laus calls right wing Niklas Hagman ``Larry.'' Actor Larry Hagman was rich and powerful as J.R. on Dallas to one generation of television viewers and the master of a beautiful genie as Capt. Nelson on I Dream of Jeannie.Miami Herald 9.11.01