Gretzky’s grandmother passes at age 84
Wayne Gretzky is mourning the death of his grandmother, three weeks after the hockey great’s mother died.
Betty Hockin, the grandmother of the Phoenix Coyotes’ coach, died Saturday at 84 in a hospital in Brantford, Ontario, after being stricken with a heart attack last month.
The funeral home, the Beckett-Glaves Family Center in Brantford, listed her death on its Web site Monday.
Hockin entered the hospital one day before daughter Phyllis Gretzky was admitted for deteriorating health from lung cancer. Hockin was released from the hospital to attend her daughter’s funeral Dec. 22.
“Mario Lemieux practiced with his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Monday for the first time in more than three weeks.
Lemieux, who has played only one game since Dec. 3 because of an irregular heartbeat, took part in one of the more laid-back sessions since Michel Therrien took over as coach.
“It was a good day to come back,” Lemieux said. “I got a good feel for (being with) the guys. It was a good first day.”
The 40-year-old Lemieux has been receiving medication for his condition, which is said to be under control but must be monitored. Lemieux said he is medically cleared to play but needs to get into playing shape.
On the ice
Philippe Boucher’s goal midway through the second period gave Johan Hedberg and the Dallas Stars another come-from-behind victory, 2-1 over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night in St. Paul, Minn.
Jere Lehtinen also scored, 65 seconds into the middle frame, against Manny Fernandez to end the Minnesota goalie’s winning streak at six straight starts.
Avalanche 6, Blues 1: At Denver, rookie Marek Svatos had his second three-goal game and David Aebischer stopped 27 shots to help Colorado beat St. Louis for its fifth straight win.
Mighty Ducks 6, Kings 2: At Anaheim, Calif., Jonathan Hedstrom scored consecutive goals exactly 7 minutes apart in the second period to break open a tie game, and he completed his first career hat trick in the third period to lead Anaheim past Los Angeles.
Devils 3, Flyers 0: At East Rutherford, N.J., Martin Brodeur made 22 saves for his 77th career shutout, and Zach Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner and Scott Gomez scored goals in New Jersey’s win over Philadelphia.