December 27th

TOSKALA, DiPIETRO HURT

Mike Comrie scored with nine seconds left in overtime as the New York Islanders topped the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in a game where both clubs resorted to using their backup goaltenders.

Andrew Raycroft stopped 24 shots in his first appearance in net in more than a month, after it was announced before the game that Vesa Toskala was day to day with a groin pull. Toskala had started the club's last 12 games, helping spearhead a turnaround after Toronto's poor start to the season. Raycroft hadn't played since allowing two goals on his first seven shots on Nov. 24, as the Leafs were drubbed 5-1 by Phoenix

The Islanders had their own unusual goaltending situation play out as Rick DiPietro left after making seven saves and earning an assist in the first period.

Wade Dubielewicz stopped 21 of 22 shots in relief of DiPietro, who suffered a knee injury during warmups. The backup was tested most severely in overtime, when Toronto put sustained pressure on a power play but could not score.

DiPietro won't make the trip to Ottawa for Thursday night's game against the Senators.


CAPS DROP INTERIM TAG FROM BOUDREAU

The Washington Capitals named Bruce Boudreau their full-time head coach Wednesday. Boudreau assumed the coaching duties Nov. 22 after Glen Hanlon was fired. The Capitals have posted a 7-5-3 record under the 52-year-old.

Boudreau coached more than 1,000 games in the minor leagues and never was an assistant coach in the NHL before joining the Capitals. He played in parts of eight NHL seasons with Toronto and Chicago.


MSG SETTLES CHEERLEADER LAWSUIT

Madison Square Garden has settled a lawsuit with a former New York Rangers cheerleader who sued for sexual discrimination, avoiding the potential of another embarrassing trial.

Courtney Prince, who was fired in January 2004, later claimed MSG failed to properly protect the dozen skating cheerleaders from being touched inappropriately when they went into the crowd at games and required them to be glamorous and to wear padded bras, fake eyelashes and hairpieces.

A statement released on her behalf said: "We resolved this matter with no admission of wrongdoing on the part of any party, and I will have no further comment."

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Madison Square Garden refused to settle with former Knicks team executive Anucha Browne Sanders when she accused coach Isiah Thomas and MSG of sexual harassment.

Instead, she was awarded $11.6 million in October after a trial that embarrassed the organization and the NBA.

MSG eventually settled for $11.5 million shortly before both sides were to return to court for the punitive phase.


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