Islanders Deny Bleu-Blanc-et-Rouge

During a season which the New York Islanders` offence has taken centre stage (scoring 86 goals in 19 games), it was the club`s goaltending that rose to the occasion Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens

Making his 13^th start of the season, the Isles` David Aebsicher stopped all 29 shots he faced on the night, improving his record to 11-2-1. ``The guys in front of me did a great job letting me see the puck all night. They were a few times when I wasn`t able to control a rebound, but they quickly cleared the puck away before their players could pounce on it.`` The shutout was reigning Vezina trophie winner`s first of the year, and the twelfth of his career.

Aebsicher shutout overshadowed a brilliant night by Captain Mike Peca, who recorded a natural hat-trick on the evening. With Montreal`s Brad Stuart in the box for a high sticking major, Peca scored on the powerplay to make it 1-0 New York.

In the second period, Montreal was again penalized, and it was Peca who got the goal to make it 2-0. Midway through the period, Peca made the hat collector`s earn their keep, as he picked tipped a Ladislav Nagy shot past Brent Johnsson to make it 3-0 Isles.

Late in the 2^nd period, Scott Hannan and Zdeno Chara dropped the gloves, and the 6 foot 9 inch giant easily schooled the smaller Hannan on the art of pugilism. It was Chara`s 3^rd fight of the year, and also his 3^rd win.

The Islanders got their fourth goal of the game in the 3^rd period, when Christian Ehroff got his 4^th of the season.

New York has the next 2 nights off, then will host the Toronto Maple Leafs.