NHL

Montreal apologizes for booing anthem

MONTREAL -- The president of the Canadiens apologized Friday for fans who booed the U.S. national anthem before Thursday's game, a 6-3 victory against the Islanders.

Before the game the sellout crowd of 21,273 was asked to "show your support and respect for two great nations" before the singing of the American and Canadian national anthems. But many fans booed throughout the Star-Spangled Banner, apparently expressing their displeasure with the U.S.-led war against Iraq.

"The Montreal Canadiens organization has always held a high respect for its neighbors and friends in the United States, and we look forward to maintaining this strong and positive relationship," Pierre Boivin said in a statement.

"We apologize to anyone who may have been offended by this incident and would encourage all fans at the Bell Centre to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of our game and our two great nations. It is our firm belief that this kind of behavior has no place in the context of professional sports."

Despite the apology, there was a small amount of retribution on the U.S. side Friday. About 20 people at the game between the Senators and Thrashers booed during the opening lines of O Canada. But the boos died down, and there was applause at the end.

Friday's games

WILD 3, STARS 2 (OT): Wes Walz's goal with 3:30 left prevented host Dallas from clinching the Pacific.

Scott Young scored twice in the third for Dallas, including the tying goal with 3:31 left. But Walz shot from the slot over the shoulder of Ron Tugnutt to give Minnesota its third victory in four games against Dallas this season.

Manny Fernandez made 34 saves as Minnesota improved to 4-1-1-1 in its past seven.

With a victory, the Stars could have eliminated the second-place Ducks. But the Stars, 1-3-0-1 in their past five, still increased their lead to 11.

DEVILS 3, PENGUINS 1: Patrik Elias and Jim McKenzie scored first-period goals as host New Jersey regained sole possession of first in the Atlantic.

The Penguins extended their winless streak to 15 (0-14-1), the second-longest in team history.

SENATORS 5, THRASHERS 1: Todd White scored twice and Karel Rachunek had a goal and two assists for visiting Ottawa.

After Dan Snyder cut the lead to 3-1 20 seconds into the third, White was wide open as he skated through the bottom of the right circle. He met Rachunek's pass from the top of the left circle in stride and tapped the puck past Pasi Nurminen.

The Senators' Ray Emery made 14 saves to win his first start.

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