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The Atlanta Thrashers nearly won another one.
Marc Savard scored early in the third period and the Thrashers twice came back from one-goal deficits to tie the New York Islanders 2-2 Tuesday night.
Atlanta (2-0-1) still has the best start in franchise history, an amazing beginning following a tragic preseason. Dan Snyder died from injuries sustained in a car wreck that also injured All-Star teammate Dany Heatley, who was driving and subsequently charged with vehicular homicide.
Last Friday, Heatley joined the team at Snyder's funeral in Elmira, Ontario, but through it all, the Thrashers kept playing solidly. NFL Tickets
``Our players deserve a lot of credit after what they went through the past couple of weeks, but on the ice, they take care of business,'' Atlanta coach Bob Hartley said. ``But there's still plenty of hockey left to be played.''
Before the game,
Heatley expressed sadness for the wreck in his first public comments since he
crashed his Ferrari into a wall.
``I am deeply saddened and very sorry over the loss of my close friend and teammate,
Dan Snyder,'' Heatley said in a statement. ``I am deeply moved by the strong
show of support his family and I have received from the town of Elmira and sincerely
thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
``The entire Snyder family ... have demonstrated amazing strength and compassion during this very painful time.''
Heatley, the MVP of last season's All-Star game, broke his jaw and tore two ligaments in his knee. He had surgery to repair the knee, and the Thrashers said they expect him to play this season. NFL Tickets
``The accident has taken a huge emotional toll on me, and of course, my family as well,'' Heatley said. ``At this time, my focus is on the Snyder family and my rehabilitation from the injuries that I sustained in the accident.
``I am working hard with my rehabilitation and will return to the ice as soon as is medically possible. I will continue to support the Snyder family and my team in every possible way. I sincerely thank you for your understanding.''
Frantisek Kaberle had a great chance to give Atlanta its third straight victory, skating in alone on Rick DiPietro. But Kaberle, a defenseman, didn't get enough on the shot, and DiPietro slapped it away.
``DiPietro got
us the tie,'' New York coach Steve Stirling said.
Eric Cairns gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead off an assist from Sven Butenschon
midway through the second period before Savard tied it.
``We came out and took control of the game in the first period, but it was like we were satisfied with the one-goal game,'' New York center Jason Blake said. ``They came out stronger and took it to us.'' NFL Tickets
Shawn McEachern took the puck into the corner before sending it in front to Savard, who easily beat DiPietro and helped the Thrashers salvage a point.
``This was a very important point to get,'' Savard said. ``The points at the beginning of the year add up just like the ones that come later.'' NFL Tickets
Mark Parrish scored only 35 seconds into the first period, giving the Islanders a 1-0 lead. Patrik Stefan tied it early in the second period with hisfirst goal of the season.