Passmore Derails Detroit

Steve Passmore considers it a thrill to play the Detroit Red Wings. Too bad the Red Wings don’t feel the same about playing against him.

The Red Wings, with their powerful lineup, threw 41 shots at Passmore on Thursday night. But the plucky backup goaltender stood up to the barrage, helping the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-3 victory at Detroit.

It was only the fifth home loss of the season for the Red Wings, and Passmore--the backup to Joceyln Thibault--is responsible for two.

What’s his secret?

“I don’t know,” he said. “Fear, maybe. Who knows? It’s a thrill to play against those guys.

“I don’t want to make them sound old, but I grew up watching a lot of those guys on television.”

The score was tied at 2-2 after two periods, but Tony Amonte, Michael Nylander and Eric Daze scored third-period goals to put the Blackhawks in control.

Passmore stopped 37 of 39 shots in a 4-2 victory at Detroit on Oct. 29 and stopped 46 of 50 shots in a 4-4 tie on New Year’s Eve at Detroit. Not bad for a guy who has played only 17 games between trips down to the minors.

Colorado 4, Pittsburgh 3--Brian Rolston recorded his fifth game-winning goal of the season to lift the Avalanche at Denver.

Patrick Roy made 25 saves for his 428th win. He trails only Terry Sawchuk (447) and Jacques Plante (434) on the NHL’s all-time list.

Rolston’s winner came at 14:28 of the third period.

Tampa Bay 4, N.Y. Islanders 2--Robert Petrovicky and Vincent Lecavalier scored first-period goals at Tampa, Fla., as the Lightning ended a 12-game winless streak.

Mike Sillinger added a power-play goal, and Darcy Tucker had an empty-netter to give Tampa Bay its first victory since Dec. 10, ending an 0-10-2 slump.

Vancouver 4, Nashville 3--Mark Messier scored with 1:31 left in overtime and Garth Snow made 48 saves at Nashville.

Buffalo 0, Boston 0--The Sabres’ Martin Biron stopped 39 shots and the Bruins’ Byron Dafoe made 23 saves at Boston.

Around the League

The Colorado Avalanche will play host to the 2001 NHL All-Star game in its new arena, the $180-million Pepsi Center, the Boulder Daily Camera reported. The newspaper, which quoted an unidentified source close to the Avalanche, said an official announcement is expected by early next week. But some travel packages to Denver are already being offered. The league has a history of rewarding cities with newer buildings. Four NHL teams are playing in new arenas this season, but the newspaper said the only other location being considered was Staples Center. . . . The St. Louis Blues, seeking to beef up for the stretch drive, acquired veteran right wing Stephane Richer from the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Chris McAlpine and goalie Rich Parent. . . . Defenseman Ray Bourque of the Boston Bruins was chosen for his 18th consecutive NHL All-Star Game, tying Wayne Gretzky for the longest streak in hockey history. Only Gordie Howe, with 23, has made more All-Star appearances.