Whalers Rally for a 4-4 Tie in Montreal

Dean Evason, Dave Babych and Stewart Gavin scored unanswered third-period goals Monday night to lift the Hartford Whalers to a 4-4 tie with the Montreal Canadiens in a game marred by four fights.

With the Canadiens leading, 4-1, at 9:10 of the third period, Evason scored through the legs of goalie Steve Penney.

Babych narrowed the lead to 4-3 at 12:24 with a shot from the blue line that went over Penney’s shoulder. Gavin’s 10th goal of the season, on a breakaway, tied the score.

The Whalers still haven’t won at the Forum in seven seasons since joining the NHL.

Referee Denis Morel handed out eight major penalties, one 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct, which went to Montreal’s Lucien Deblois.

Ryan Walter’s power-play goal at 7:28 of the final period had given Montreal a 4-1 lead.

Canadiens rookie Kjell Dahlin broke a 1-1 tie with his 17th goal, on a power play, at 8:37 of the first period. Dahlin then assisted on Bobby Smith’s goal at 17:24 of the second to make it 3-1.