Zednik's Goal Is More Goals By Jason La Canfora Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, September 22, 2000; Page D04

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 21 –– Some hockey players evaluate themselves on their overall game. Some focus primarily on defense. Others enjoy setting up teammates with deft passes. But only one thing truly makes Washington Capitals winger Richard Zednik happy: scoring goals, preferably in bunches. "With Zed, the only sign he really goes on is how many times the red light goes on when he shoots," Coach Ron Wilson said. "I expect him to have a good season." Through the first two weeks of training camp, the 24-year-old appears to be on the verge of the breakout season management has longed for. Zednik has been a dominant player in two exhibition games, including an eye-opening performance in tonight's 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at First Union Center. Zednik scored a pretty goal in Tuesday's game at Tampa; tonight he came painfully close, ripping a blast on the penalty kill (a new role for him), assisting on a power-play goal, springing a teammate for a breakaway and drawing a penalty with a bullish charge to the net. Last season, Zednik produced several nights like this--hitting countless posts, finding his hard work along the boards unrequited. Zednik finished with 19 goals in 69 games but suffered through long stretches during which he could not buy a goal, enduring fruitless spans of 12 and 14 games. He has the speed, shot and strength to reach the 30-goal plateau, striving for consistency. "I had some chances, but they have to go in," Zednik said. "You have to practice it, practice, practice, practice your shot. You have to score in practice, and it makes it easier in the game. I want to finish better. I want to do better and score more goals." Zednik was not the only Capitals regular to play well tonight. The line of Jeff Halpern, Steve Konowalchuk and Ulf Dahlen played the same strong two-way hockey they did at the close of last season. The trio, Washington's de facto second line, has six points through two exhibition games. Halpern scored his second preseason goal in as many games, tying the score at 1 late in the first period off a beautiful blind backhanded pass from Dahlen. Goaltender Olaf Kolzig played 40 quality minutes, virtually unbeatable in the second period despite numerous defensive breakdowns in front of him. Defenseman Ken Klee scored his second power-play goal of the preseason. Washington's top defensive pair--Calle Johansson and Brendan Witt--also rode the bus up I-95 for this contest, but there were few familiar faces on the bench tonight. One recognizable name, defensive prospect Alexei Tezikov, who has done little to impress management in this training camp, was not particularly sharp tonight. He lost the puck in the corner, fell down and did not recover in time to pick up John LeClair at the top of the crease, leading to Philadelphia's first goal. Tezikov, acquired from Buffalo for Joe Juneau at the 1999 trade deadline, had hopes of making the Capitals but is expected to be among the first group of players sent back to Portland this weekend. Capitals Notes: Center Jan Bulis, just back from a dislocated shoulder that kept him out five months, did not undergo further testing on the injured area today to determine when he could participate in exhibition games, because the machine used for testing was broken. However, the Capitals said the 22-year-old could be in the lineup for Saturday's game against the New York Islanders in Richmond. Kris Beech, the club's top prospect, probably will sit out Saturday's game as a precaution for a tender shoulder, as he did tonight. . . . Enforcer-in-waiting Stephen Peat left tonight's game because of a minor groin strain and did not return. . . . Eighteen-year-old center Brian Sutherby, Washington's top pick in the June draft, put forth another strong effort. He began tonight's game on the fourth line but was centering talented forwards Glen Metropolit (three assists in two games, all on the power play) and Zednik by the start of the second period. . . . It's foolish to make too much of preseason statistics, but the Capitals--woeful on the power play last season--have four power-play goals the last two games. . . . Washington will make its first set of massive cuts Friday, trimming to 15 forwards, 10 defensemen and likely, 3 goalies. © 2000 The Washington Post Company