Zholtok lifts Wild to NHL's best record _ so far

<br>NEW YORK (AP) _ Sergei Zholtok made sure the Minnesota Wild finished the first month of the season better than anyone expected _ and better than any other team in the league. <br><br>Zholtok scored

Friday, November 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Sergei Zholtok made sure the Minnesota Wild finished the first month of the season better than anyone expected _ and better than any other team in the league.

Zholtok scored his second goal with 9.1 seconds left in overtime to give the Wild a 2-1 victory Thursday night over the San Jose Sharks, one of the Western Conference's best teams last season.

``It's an awesome feeling _ this year is different. We hope to continue this way,'' Zholtok said.

At 8-1-2, the Wild are better than even the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, the only team to have beaten them so far.

The Wild are a different team in overtime this season _ one of the main differences between this team and the one that still looked like an expansion team last season.

The Wild were 0-9-12 in overtime last season, but after Zholtok's goal Thursday night, they're 3-0-2 after regulation.

``He had a determination in overtime,'' coach Jacques Lemaire said. ``He had the look and confidence we needed.''

In other NHL games, Anaheim beat Boston 4-1; Philadelphia rallied past Phoenix 6-2; Atlanta and Toronto tied 3-3; Chicago beat Los Angeles 2-1 in overtime; Calgary blanked Buffalo 3-0 and Colorado topped Vancouver 5-1.

Other teams are starting to take notice of the new-and-improved Wild. Sharks coach Darryl Sutter spoke as though they're already an elite team.

``We got one point out of the building, which is better than most teams,'' Sutter said. ``We better be thankful for that and move on.''

Marco Sturm scored a second-period goal for the Sharks, who lost their third straight. All of those losses have come since Evgeni Nabokov returned to the goal after ending his holdout and signing a two-year, $7.15 million contract Oct. 22.

Dwayne Roloson made 19 saves for the Wild.

Mighty Ducks 4, Bruins 1

At Boston, Paul Kariya scored three goals and set up the other as Anaheim halted Boston's eight-game unbeaten streak in front of the Bruins' smallest FleetCenter crowd ever.

The announced attendance was 9,491, the fewest on a non-snowstorm night since Oct. 14, 1982. The Bruins had two crowds under 8,000; one in 1987 and the other 1984. But both were played on what the team called ``blizzard'' days.

Anaheim won for the third time in 11 games and spoiled Boston's attempt to equal its best start in club history.

Jozef Stumpel scored in the first period for Boston.

Flyers 6, Coyotes 2

At Philadelphia, Michal Handzus and Kim Johnsson scored 2:05 apart in the second period for the Flyers.

The Flyers are off to a 7-1-2 start under new coach Ken Hitchcock, and extended their unbeaten streak at home to five games (4-0-1). Phoenix has lost four of five.

Eric Desjardins, Mark Recchi, Dennis Seidenberg and Jeremy Roenick also scored for Philadelphia.

Maple Leafs 3, Thrashers 3, OT

At Toronto, backup goalie Pasi Nurminen made 32 saves as winless Atlanta avoided its 10th straight loss.

Patrik Stefan scored the tying goal at 15:26 of the third period for Thrashers (0-8-1-1), who are in the throes of a 19-game winless streak dating to March 23.

To shake things up, Atlanta coach Curt Fraser benched star winger Ilya Kovalchuk because of poor defensive play and started Nurminen instead of a struggling Milan Hnilicka.

Blackhawks 2, Kings 1, OT

At Chicago, Phil Housley scored a power-play goal 1:35 into overtime to lift the Blackhawks past Los Angeles.

Housley beat Felix Potvin on a screened shot from the top of the slot as Chicago won its third straight and extended its unbeaten streak to four games.

Rookie Tyler Arnason scored for Chicago with 35 seconds left to force the overtime. Jaroslav Modry scored for the Kings.

Flames 3, Sabres 0

At Calgary, Alberta, Roman Turek made 30 saves and Jarome Iginla had a goal and an assist as the Flames beat Buffalo for their first home win of the season.

Toni Lydman also had a goal and an assist as the Flames won for the first time in six home games. Turek got his first shutout of the year and 21st of his career.

Avalanche 5, Canucks 1

At Vancouver, British Columbia, Joe Sakic scored twice in Colorado's victory over the Canucks.

Dan Hinote, Adam Foote and Rob Blake also scored for the Avalanche, and Patrick Roy stopped 23 shots.

Rookie defenseman Bryan Allen scored for the Canucks, who have one win in their last nine games.