Caps Win in Overtime, 3-2
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000; Page D1
Washington Capitals winger Steve Konowalchuk got the call during Tuesday's practice: His wife, Leah, was in labor. He left the ice at once and headed to the hospital. At 6 a.m. yesterday Cole Reed Konowalchuk entered the world, all 9 pounds 9 pounces of him. At about 9:30 last night, on three hours' sleep, Cole's father scored perhaps the Capitals' biggest goal this season, tying division-leading Florida with less than three minutes left in regulation.
By 10 p.m. Konowalchuk and his teammates were celebrating a 3-2 overtime victory at MCI Center on Chris Simon's goal. It was Washington's 10th straight win at home, stretching their home unbeaten streak to 13 games (11-0-2), which matches the franchise high.
The Capitals pulled within three points of the Panthers in the Southeast Division, making up 13 points in just over a month, and continued their torrid pace, going 18-4-5 since Christmas. Terry Yake triggered Konowalchuk's goal, advancing the puck across the blue line and leaving it for Ken Klee. Konowalchuk was stationed with his back to the net and sent Klee's rebound between his legs, tying the game at 2 and snapping a 10-game personal funk.
"That's a little bonus there," Konowalchuk said. "I kept the puck and I'll give it to my son. He can do whatever he wants with it. . . . We never let down tonight – we kept going and it paid off."
The Capitals won the game just 55 seconds into overtime on the power play. Florida enforcer Peter Worrell took a run at Richard Zednik with 12 seconds left in regulation, landing an elbow to Zednik's head. Zednik suffered a concussion, team physician Ben Shaffer said, and he will be re-evaluated today.
Washington entered overtime playing four-on-three. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar crossed the blue line on the right side and pulled up, drawing two Panthers to him; Simon and Adam Oates were alone along the left boards. Gonchar fed Simon cross-ice and he spanked the puck for his team-high 21st goal and fourth in five games.
"I was just trying to shoot it low and on net," he said.
Washington believes Worrell should be suspended for the incident, though Worrell disputed he used his elbow. The penalty "was a joke," Worrell said. "I'll probably get suspended for throwing a shoulder, a clean hit."
The Capitals were irate with referees Paul Stewart and Mike Leggo for their performance throughout the game – General Manager George McPhee hoped to speak with them after the contest – because they believed the officials missed several calls and unfairly penalized the Capitals.
"We've got a line like [Jan] Bulis, Zednik and [Ulf] Dahlen where you could call a penalty every time they have the puck with the abuse that they take," Wilson said. "And at one point [the Panthers] have six power plays and we have three and we're outshooting them 2-1. It's frustrating."
The Capitals dominated most of the game, but Florida goalie Trevor Kidd, making his first start since Dec. 11 after dislocating a shoulder, made 43 saves, including numerous spectacular stops.
The Capitals held an 18-6 advantage in shots after one period, but led just 1-0. Their top line – Simon, Oates and Joe Murphy – was outstanding, producing chances and, along with the defensemen, shutting down Florida sniper Pavel Bure, the NHL's top goal scorer. Oates made a great feed to Murphy about three minutes into the game, and Murphy slipped the puck past Kidd for his first goal since being claimed off waivers from Boston (seven games), fulfilling a prophecy – before the game he told new minority owner Michael Jordan he would score. But the Panthers managed to tie the game when Ray Sheppard scored on a two-man advantage.
Florida grabbed its only lead with 10 minutes 19 seconds left in the third period. The Capitals lost the puck at the Panthers' blue line and were caught in transition. Viktor Kozlov split the defense and Joe Reekie hauled down Kozlov. Stewart immediately signaled for a penalty shot. Kozlov beat goalie Olie Kolzig (21 saves).
Kidd stopped Murphy from point-blank range on a power play and it appeared his theatrics might be enough to propel his team to victory. But Washington kept challenging him, getting two more pucks behind him and earning their biggest victory this season.
"From start to finish one of our best efforts," Wilson said. "And I'm glad because we did it in a huge game for us."
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