Demers Asks Lightning To Fire Up

Jacques Demers wants his players to get mad and start winning.

“The fans have been cheated here by the players, and that’s the end of that,” he said.

Demers, a two-time NHL coach of the year, was hired Wednesday to coach the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are winless in their last 13 games.

Demers replaces Rick Paterson, who had been interim coach since Terry Crisp was fired Oct. 26.

TV pact signed

The National Hockey League announced a four-year television contract with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and Labatt Brewing Co., ending a 12-year relationship with rival brewer Molson Cos.

MVP benching possible

The NHL’s most valuable player might soon become the Buffalo Sabres’ most expensive backup.

Coach Lindy Ruff is considering benching league MVP Dominik Hasek against the Washington Capitals tonight in hopes of shaking the goaltender from a slump.

Slap shots

Former New York Islanders owner John Spano’s court appearance in Boston today to plead guilty to a bank fraud charge has been postponed. … St. Louis Blues right wing Joe Murphy is expected to be out three to four months after undergoing surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left wrist. The Blues also said goalie Grant Fuhr has recovered from an injury to his right arm.

On the ice

Former Spokane Chief Valeri Bure scored with 52 seconds left in overtime Wednesday night to lift the Montreal Canadiens to their sixth straight victory, 4-3 over the Mighty Ducks in Anaheim.

Pavel Bure scored on a penalty shot, igniting a three-goal first period, and the visiting Vancouver Canucks defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-2 to snap their club-record 10-game losing streak.