Match Penalty Sinks the Whalers, 8-5

In the not too distant past, intimidation was a way of life in the National Hockey League. It was not unusual for a team to use force, sometimes illegally, early in a game to take advantage of a more timid opponent.

Until recently, the tactic was more or less condoned. But times and attitudes are changing.

There are two major reasons. One, in the last two seasons, almost 20% of the players have gone out with serious injuries. And, the incidents of violence seem to be getting much more numerous.

The word has been given to referees to be on the lookout for untoward incidents.

An act of violence by Hartford’s Kevin Dineen Tuesday night at Hartford contributed mightily to the Montreal Canadiens’ 8-5 victory.

During a fight with Mark Hunter of the Canadiens in the first period of a 1-1 game, Dineen kneed his opponent and was handed a match game penalty.

During the five-minute penalty, the Canadiens scored three goals to build a commanding lead. For a minor penalty, a goal ends the penalty, but on a major penalty, a team can score as many goals as possible.

Larry Robinson scored the tie-breaker, defenseman Tom Kurvers scored less than two minutes later and Mats Naslund made it 4-1 before the penalty elapsed. Naslund also scored in the middle of a three-goal flurry in the second period.

The victory enabled the Canadiens to take a four-point lead in the Adams Division.

Hartford goalie Greg Millen started his 20th consecutive game and departed after yielding seven goals on 22 shots in two periods.

The NHL seems intent on doing something about violence. In recent days the league has handed suspensions to Mark Messier of Edmonton and Brian Propp of Philadelphia and they are investigating an incident involving the New York Islanders’ fiery goalie, Billy Smith.

Detroit 5, New York Islanders 4--John Ogrodnick broke a 4-4 tie with 2:53 left at Uniondale, N.Y. to enable the lowly Red Wings to end a 12-game winless streak.

Because of a rash of injuries, the Islanders used rookies Scott Howson, Vern Smith and Ken Leiter, all of them called up earlier in the day from the minors. Howson scored twice, his second giving the Islanders a 4-3 lead early in the third period.

Toronto 2, Quebec 2--Greg Terrion scored with four minutes left in regulation at Quebec and extended the Maple Leafs’ unbeaten string to four games.

The Nordiques went into the final period holding a 2-0 lead. But, John Anderson scored eight minutes into the final period to set the stage for the tying goal.

New York Rangers at Buffalo ppd.--Emergency weather conditions, meaning extreme cold and heavy snow in the Buffalo area, forced postponement. The game will be rescheduled.