Off-Duty Cop Solves Theft Of Rangers’ Merchandise

An off-duty policeman, who was just trying to get his hockey skates sharpened, managed to solve the theft of $11,000 in merchandise be longing to Wayne Gretzky and other New York Rangers.

Four Westchester County (N.Y.) teen-agers were arrested.

The hockey gear - sticks, jerseys, pads, helmets and gloves, plus a laptop computer and printer - were stolen Jan. 15 from a van parked at Playland Park in Rye, where the Rangers practice.

The gear belonged to Gretzky, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter and other players, according to police.

On Wednesday, New Rochelle police officer Charles DeSalvo went to Mamaroneck Sport & Skate to have his skates sharpened. He overheard Vincent Ferraro, 18, of New Rochelle, talking about stolen Rangers equipment. DeSalvo pretended to be a fan interested in buying some of it; the teen took him to a New Rochelle home, where some of the equipment was stashed.

Tocchet suspended 2 games

Right wing Rick Tocchet of the Phoenix Coyotes was suspended for two games without pay and fined $1,000 by the NHL for injuring Edmonton left wing Ryan Smyth during a Jan. 20 game.

Tocchet already has served one game of the suspension. He also will miss tonight’s game against Edmonton.

On the ice

Rob Ray scored his first goal in nearly a year, and the Buffalo Sabres extended Tampa Bay’s losing streak to eight games with a 4-1 win over the Lightning on Friday night in Buffalo.

Ray, known more for his fists than his scoring punch, gave Buffalo the lead late in the first period and the Sabres cruised through the final 40 minutes.

Murray Craven scored with 7:16 left to play as the San Jose Sharks came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in San Jose.