NHL Roundup : Winnipeg Is Lose-ipeg No More; Oilers Fall

Four seasons ago, when the Winnipeg Jets had the worst record in National Hockey League history, some people said unkindly that the team hailed from Lose-ipeg.

That joke is heard no more. In fact, under former King defenseman Barry Long, the Jets have become a respected team. Only Edmonton had not recognized the Jets’ respectability.

At long last, the Jets have cleared that hurdle, too. Wednesday night at Winnipeg, with Perry Turnbull scoring twice, the Jets beat the Stanley Cup champions, 6-2. It was the first time in the last 21 meetings between the teams that the Jets have won.

In ending the Oilers’ unbeaten streak at 11 games, the Jets improved their record to 28-22-5. During the 1980-81 season, they had a 9-57-14 record, the worst in the league. The current Jets, with 61 points, are seventh in the overall standings.

The first move the Jets made after the dismal 1980-81 season was to make Dale Hawerchuk the first pick in the draft. The team’s fortunes began an upswing immediately, and Hawerchuk has become, in his fourth season, the leader.

Hawerchuk assisted on two goals and shadowed Wayne Gretzky throughout the night, holding the magnificent scoring machine to a single assist. Hawerchuk, with 88 points, is the No. 4 scorer in the league.

The Jets, before this season, traded a No. 1 draft choice for Pittsburgh defenseman Randy Carlyle. Carlyle has been a positive influence on the defense.

With Hawerchuk and Carlyle as the leaders, the Jets have won eight more games than they won in the first 55 games last season.

“We’re for real,” Carlyle said. “This is a good hockey team that will get even better.”

Buffalo 3, Minnesota 1--Tom Barrasso is coming up to Tuesday night’s NHL All-Star Game at the peak of his game. The Sabres’ young goaltender, who will not be 20 for another seven weeks, just missed another shutout in this game at Bloomington, Minn.

Barrasso held the North Stars scoreless for 55 minutes before Willi Plett spoiled the bid for a shutout. Barrasso stopped 24 shots in winning his fifth consecutive game and allowing the Sabres to take over sole possession of first place in the Adams Division.

St. Louis 4, Vancouver 0--Goalie Mike Liut, a winner only once in his previous five starts, turned in his 10th career shutout in this game at St. Louis, stopping 35 shots.

Calgary 7, Hartford 4--Kent Nilsson got the 14th hat trick of his career and his third this season, and Hakan Loob had two goals at Hartford as the Flames maintained their grip on second place in the Smythe Division.

Chicago 3, Toronto 2--Steve Larmer and Jerry DuPont scored on 45-foot slapshots just 14 seconds apart in the second period and gave Bob Pulford a victory in his return as coach of the Black Hawks.

Pulford, the general manager, took over the coaching duties after firing Orval Tessier Monday.