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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- No one has ever scored on a penalty
shot to end an NHL game. John Vanbiesbrouck made sure that goalies
remained perfect.
Vanbiesbrouck denied Patrik Elias' overtime attempt and made 26
saves as the New York Islanders played their first 0-0 game in
nearly 11 years by tying the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no game has been won on a
penalty shot.
|  | | John Vanbiesbrouck made sure the Devils' Patrick Elias didn't score the first game-ending penalty shot. |
Elias was awarded the penalty shot when he was tripped by Kevin
Haller as he skated in alone on Vanbiesbrouck 21 seconds into
overtime.
"You don't particularly want to see something like that happen
especially in overtime," Vanbiesbrouck said. "But it's the
ultimate test."
Vanbiesbrouck, who played for the New York Rangers against the
Islanders in their last scoreless game on Dec. 9, 1989, forced
Elias toward the right post and his backhand attempt hit the side
of the net.
"I wasn't really thinking of anything, which was probably
good," Vanbiesbrouck said of his preparation. "I just tried to
focus and make his move. It is probably more a matter of him
missing the shot than me saving it."
Elias agreed with Vanbiesbrouck, which didn't make him feel any
better.
"I had him beat," he said. "He thought so too and just sat
back. I tried to get my body around him but couldn't get off a
clean shot. I just screwed up. I blame myself."
Vanbiesbrouck, who missed his last game with a back injury, has
29 career wins over New Jersey -- the most for any active goalie.
Martin Brodeur stopped all 24 shots for the Devils, who outshot
the Islanders 6-1 in overtime.
The Devils stretched their unbeaten streak to seven games
(6-0-1). The Islanders are 2-9-1-1 in their last 13 games and have
only one victory in 11.
"Our team has been maligned a lot lately," Vanbiesbrouck said.
"I just wanted to come back from that injury and show some courage
and determination."
Vanbiesbrouck showed both and even jumped into a fight, pounding
Bobby Holik over the head after the Devils center infringed on his
territory.
Scott Stevens was stopped by Vanbiesbrouck, who has the most
wins over the Devils (29) of any active NHL goalie, just seven
seconds after Elias' try and Alexander Mogilny had his hard wrist
shot turned away with 1:10 remaining.
The only stop Brodeur had to make in overtime was a game saver
as he kicked away Claude Lapointe's shot after the center got
behind Stevens.
The Devils outshot the Islanders 16-15 through two periods, and
had six power plays, but the Islanders had the better scoring
chances.
Brodeur made a kick save to turn away Lapointe's short-handed
breakaway with 8:12 remaining in the second period. In the final
minute of the period, he blocked Dave Scatchard's shot with his
chest and knocked aside the ensuing rebound.
Game notes
Vanbiesbrouck has stopped eight of the 13 career penalty
shots he has faced. ... Elias scored on his only other penalty
shot, beating Atlanta's Damian Rhodes on March 10. ... New Jersey's
last scoreless game was Dec. 23, 1996 against Buffalo. ...
Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro, the No. 1 choice in this year's
draft, will have to wait for another day to make his NHL debut. He
was a healthy scratch. ... Sergei Brylin missed his second straight
game for the Devils with a strained knee. ... The teams meet again
Sunday on Long Island. ... Devils C Jason Arnott went to the
hospital for a precautionary X-rays after being hit in the head by
Zdeno Chara's stick. New Jersey forward John Madden left in the
third period and did not return after getting hit in the eye by
Lapointe's stick.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
NY Islanders Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
Pittsburgh 6
Buffalo 4
Washington 3
Boston 2
Atlanta 5
Tampa Bay 3
NY Islanders 0
New Jersey 0
Detroit 3
Florida 1
Chicago 2
Nashville 1
Colorado 4
Dallas 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Patrick Elias can't get the puck by John Vanbiesbrouck for the game-ending goal.
avi: 1380 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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