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Wannabe Isles Owner Admits Guilt

From Wire Reports

Around the NHL

John Spano Jr., whose deal to buy the New York Islanders fell apart when he was unable to meet the payments, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Uniondale, N.Y., to criminal charges related to his efforts to purchase the NHL team.

Spano was accused of making fraudulent claims to obtain the $80 million loan from Fleet Bank that he used to buy the team in April. Spano also spent $400,000 of the team’s money after fraudulently assuming ownership.

Spano pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud, one count each of mail fraud and bank fraud.

Spano is to be sentenced in six to eight weeks.

Spano’s purchase of the National Hockey League franchise unraveled when he failed to make a $16.8 million payment due to owner John O. Pickett at closing April 7. In July, Spano surrendered to federal authorities. The Islanders subsequently were sold in September for $195 million to a group headed by Phoenix Coyotes’ co-owner Steven M. Gluckstern.

Niedermayer out

Florida Panthers center Rob Niedermayer may miss a month after suffering a concussion in the team’s season-opener last Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Niedermayer was injured when hit by Eric Lindros. Panthers coach Doug MacLean called the hit “dirty” and sent a tape to the league for review.

Zhitnik signs deal

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Alexei Zhitnik signed a one-year contract with the team for $1.5 million, about $500,000 less than he was asking.

On the ice

Dominik Hasek allowed two goals on the first three shots he faced and was booed by Buffalo fans in pregame ceremonies as Dallas defeated the Sabres 4-2 Tuesday night. Fans are still angry about Hasek’s comments that he didn’t want coach Ted Nolan to return after last season. Nolan left after he wasn’t offered a long-term contract. … Gary Roberts scored his first goal since returning to hockey following a serious neck injury as Carolina tied visiting Los Angeles 3-3. Roberts was acquired in the off-season from Calgary after coming out of retirement following the 1996-97 season. … At Calgary, Todd Warriner scored the winning goal with 58 seconds left as the Toronto Maple Leafs won their first game of the season. … Josef Marha scored his first NHL goal and added an assist as the Colorado Avalanche remained unbeaten with a victory over the Boston Bruins at Denver.