Search called off for Gainey’s daughter

The U.S. Coast Guard’s aerial search for the daughter of hockey great Bob Gainey was suspended Monday night, three days after she was washed overboard in the Atlantic during a storm while working on a sailing ship bound for the Caribbean.

Laura Gainey was on the deck of the tall ship Picton Castle on Friday night when a large wave swept her overboard. Petty Officer Larry Chambers said the U.S. Coast Guard’s search about 475 miles off Cape Cod was on hold, but the Picton Castle would continue looking for her.

The 25-year-old daughter of the Montreal Canadiens’ general manager was thrown from the 180-foot boat Friday night without a lifejacket.

The water temperature in that part of the mid-Atlantic is about 68 degrees. The U.S. Coast Guard said Gainey, a strong swimmer wearing protective clothing, probably could survive for about 36 hours. However, Chambers said, after 70 hours in the water “the likelihood of survivability” would “diminish rapidly.”

Blues fire coach

The St. Louis Blues, last in the NHL standings, fired coach Mike Kitchen and replaced him with former Los Angeles Kings coach Andy Murray.

Blues president John Davidson told the Associated Press that Murray received a longterm contract after negotiations in New York on Sunday.

On the ice

Penguins 5, Capitals 4 (SO): At Washington, Evgeni Malkin notched a goal and assisted on one by Sidney Crosby in regulation, then scored the decisive tally in the shootout as Pittsburgh beat Washington.

Avalanche 5, Hurricanes 2: At Denver, John-Michael Liles and Joe Sakic scored power-play goals in the third period as Colorado beat Carolina.

Sharks 4, Coyotes 0: At San Jose, Calif., Vesa Toskala stopped 23 shots for his third shutout this season, and Joe Pavelski scored for the fifth time in nine games as San Jose beat Phoenix.