Dany Heatley of the Atlanta Thrashers made an emotional return to the ice Wednesday night, less than four months after a car wreck killed his teammate and friend Dan Snyder.
Like all of his teammates, Heatley wore a patch with Snyder’s number 37 on his sweater.
The near-sellout crowd at Philips Arena welcomed Heatley back with a raucous ovation. Among the signs: “We’re With You Dany!”
Heatley had several good chances but failed to score in a 1-1 tie with the St. Louis Blues.
“It’s great just being in the room between periods, just being on the bench,” Heatley said.
Capitals owner suspended
The NHL suspended Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, a day after he apologized for fighting with a fan. Leonsis is to have no contact with his team for one week, the NHL ruled. Also, the Capitals were fined $100,000.
RESULTS, WEDNESDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Philadelphia 3 at Florida 3
Kristian Huselius scored with 8:55 left in 3rd to tie it for Panthers, who had lost 7 in row at home to Flyers. Flyers rookie D Joni Pitkanen had first 2-goal game of his career.
Washington 2 at N.Y. Rangers 1
Olaf Kolzig made 32 saves as Capitals ended 3-game losing streak. Rangers C Eric Lindros, plagued by concussions throughout career, sustained another and left in 2nd period.
St. Louis 1 at Atlanta 1
Jeff Cowan scored with 2:24 left in regulation to tie it for Thrashers. Blues broke scoreless tie at 5:17 of 3rd period when puck caught skate of St. Louis’ Scott Mellanby and went in.
Ottawa 3 at Dallas 5
Sergei Zubov scored the tie-breaking goal from center ice with 3:07 left as Stars rallied from 2-goal deficit. Goalie Patrick Lalime fumbled Zubov’s shot, which skittered over the goal line.
Calgary 1 at San Jose 4
Patrick Marleau scored 2 goals on assists by Marco Sturm to lead Sharks to 6th victory in 7. Evgeni Nabokov made 18 saves for Sharks, who notched 18th victory in 20 home games.
Los Angeles 4 at Anaheim 3
Joe Corvo scored 2:37 into OT on 30-foot wrist shot that sailed over Ducks goalie Martin Gerber. Josef Stumpel had goal and 2 assists for Kings, who dealt Ducks their NHL-high 6th OT loss.
