Hrivnak

The Baltimore Skipjacks' Calder Cup comeback bid and season ended last night at the Baltimore Arena.The Binghamton Rangers administered the coup de grace, 2-1, to advance to the American Hockey League's Southern Division championship series against the Rochester Americans. The Rangers dispatched the Skipjacks, four games to two.Steven Rice, who rejoined Binghamton when the parent New York Rangers were knocked out of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Washington Capitals, scored the game-winner on a slap shot from the right circle at 9 minutes, 15 seconds of the third period.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Pucks were flying all around Baltimore Skipjacks goaltender Jim Hrivnak in the final minutes last night.But Hrivnak refused to wilt under the intense pressure applied by the Binghamton Rangers and made one big save after another, enabling the Skipjacks to live at least another two days in what has become an exciting American Hockey League Southern Division semifinal series.Hrivnak stopped at least five Binghamton shots from point-blank range in the final nine minutes of the game, leading Baltimore to a 5-3 victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.

The Skipjacks got bad news after yesterday's practice when goalie Jim Hrivnak was recalled by the Washington Capitals to replace ailing Mike Liut.Liut sustained a bruised ankle from a shot during the Caps' morning skate yesterday in Manhattan. Hrivnak boarded a plane in the afternoon and was on the bench at Madison Square Garden last night when the Caps lost 2-1 to the Rangers with Don Beaupre in goal.Coach Terry Murray said that Liut was expected to attempt practice this morning and, if he's available for tomorrow's second game with the Rangers, Hrivnak would meet the Jacks in Binghamton, where they will begin their first-round playoff series with the AHL Rangers tomorrow night.

The Washington Capitals yesterday lost goaltender Mike Liut with a bruised ankle when he was hit by a puck in practice.Jim Hrivnak was recalled from the Baltimore Skipjacks as an emergency backup to Don Beaupre for last night's opening Stanley Cup playoff game at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.Liut is expected to practice today, and Hrivnak is expected to be returned to the Skipjacks in time for their Calder Cup playoff opener tomorrow against the Binghamton Rangers in Binghamton, N.Y. The Skipjacks have, therefore, not recalled a goalie to replace Hrivnak.

Continuing their road assault last night in Newmarket, Ont., the Skipjacks are now not only looking like playoff shoo-ins, but a team that could make a run at the Calder Cup.Again it was the work of goalie Jim Hrivnak, who stopped 30 of 31 shots, that spurred the Jacks on to a 2-1 victory over the Saints."

NEWMARKET, Ontario -- The Baltimore Skipjacks had the Newmarket Saints exactly where they wanted them last night, but that didn't make it any easier. The Skipjacks carried a 2-0 lead into the third period and held on for a 2-1 American Hockey League victory before 2,997 at the Newmarket Recreation Complex.The Saints were 0-29-1 when trailing entering the third period and, although that didn't change, the home site made it interesting. Some clutch goaltending by Jim Hrivnak, who made 30 saves, led Baltimore to its fourth-straight victory and sole possession of second place in the Southern Division.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The Baltimore Skipjacks taught the American Hockey League a lesson about playing under playoff pressure this weekend.On the strength of Alfie Turcotte's second-period goal and Jim Hrivnak's 29 saves, Baltimore took a foothold on a Southern Division playoff spot with a 1-0 victory over the New Haven Nighthawks yesterday before 3,258 at the Coliseum.The victory was the third on the road in three nights for the Skipjacks (35-29-5) and placed them in good position for second place behind the Rochester Americans.

VS. NEW YORK RANGERS* WHEN: Tonight, 7:35.* WHERE: Madison Square Garden.* TV/RADIO: Ch. 20; WCAO-AM 600.* OUTLOOK: The Capitals (28-32-4) took another step backward Monday night, losing 5-1 in New Jersey. They are now five points behind the Devils for the final playoff spot. Tonight they face the Patrick Division's best in Manhattan without top goalie Don Beaupre. Jim Hrivnak, up from the Skipjacks, was pelted and pulled Monday, so Mike Liut might get the start. Left wing Dimitri Khristich remains out. This is the final meeting of the season with the Rangers (32-22-10)

The Washington Capitals have lost goalie Don Beaupre for today's National Hockey League game with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Capital Centre.Beaupre suffered a slightly pulled groin muscle in Friday's 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers, in which he made 28 saves. He also could miss tomorrow's game with the New Jersey Devils at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. Beaupre is expected back for Wednesday's game with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.Center Peter Bondra, out more than two weeks with a shoulder injury, will be available for today's game.