THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 9, 1997 TAG: 9701090521
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF, WIRE REPORTS
Former Admirals goalie Patrick Lalime is named Rookie of the Month;
Parris Duffus is called up by the Coyotes.
LENGTH: 56 lines
Former Hampton Roads Admirals goaltender Patrick Lalime of the Pittsburgh Penguins has been named NHL Rookie of the Month for December.
Lalime, who split his first pro season in 1994-95 between Hampton Roads and Cleveland of the IHL, was 7-0-1 with two shutouts and had a 1.50 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage in nine games. He had played in just one NHL game prior to December.
Lalime was subbing for two injured goalies and apparently has won himself the starting role.
``We're going to let Patrick keep going,'' Penguins coach Eddie Johnston said. ``He deserves a pop.''
``Patrick's responded very well,'' added Penguins star Mario Lemieux. ``We feel pretty confident with him in there. Even when there's a lot of traffic in front of him, he's very calm. He makes the right decisions.
``It's very surprising for a young guy like that who's never played in the NHL before.''
In Wednesday's games:
Devils 1, Avalanche 1
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Rene Corbet scored on a breakaway at 6:55 of the third period to lift Colorado to a tie with the New Jersey Devils, extending the Avalanche's unbeaten streak to eight games. The tie was the third straight for injury-plagued Colorado (5-0-3). Dave Andreychuk scored the Devils' goal.
Lightning 4, Rangers 3
NEW YORK - Patrick Poulin's goal with 2:44 remaining in the third period snapped Rangers goaltender Mike Richter's unbeaten streak at 16 games. Poulin scored shortly after Rangers forward Luc Robitaille was pulled down from behind on a breakaway by Cory Cross. No penalty was called, and Tampa Bay scored on the ensuing rush. Tampa Bay's Shawn Burr had tied the game at 2:29 of the third with an unassisted goal.
In Tuesday's late games:
In Inglewood, Calif., Ed Olczyk had his fifth career three-goal game as the Los Angeles Kings beat the Vancouver Canucks 6-2.
In Calgary, Alberta, Dave Gagner deflected Steve Chiasson's slap shot past Felix Potvin with a minute left in overtime to give the Flames a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In San Jose, Calif., former Michigan star Steve Shields made 42 saves in his first NHL start of the season as the Buffalo Sabres tied the Sharks 1-1.
DUFFUS A COYOTE: The Phoenix Coyotes called up goalie Parris Duffus from Las Vegas of the IHL on Wednesday to replace Darcy Wakaluk, who was placed on injured reserve. Duffus, a former Hampton Roads Admiral, had a 20-10-2 record and 2.74 goals-against average in 34 games for Las Vegas this season.
ALL-STAR ADDITIONS: Centers Dale Hawerchuk of the Philadelphia Flyers and Dale Hunter of the Washington Capitals have been added to the Eastern Conference team for the NHL All-Star Game, to be played Jan. 18 in San Jose.