NHL Roundup : Long Wait Has Ended for Potvin

Denis Potvin finally put an end to the suspense Friday night in New York. Needing just one point to become the highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history, Potvin had failed to score in four previous games.

But 3:38 into the 2-2 tie with the Rangers, Potvin sent a cross-rink pass to Mike Bossy, and the New York Islanders’ best goal scorer knocked the puck into the net. The assist was Potvin’s 916th point, breaking a tie with Bobby Orr.

The Rangers rallied to gain a tie when rookie Mike Ridley deflected a shot into the net with less than four minutes remaining in regulation.

When Potvin broke the record, only a portion of the Madison Square Garden crowd stood and cheered. Most of the 17,409 fans, Ranger partisans, booed.

The goal was the 495th of his career for Bossy, and Potvin assisted on many of them.

“I really couldn’t believe it when Bossy scored, “ Potvin told the Associated Press. “My intention was to get the puck to him and get off the ice. I was finishing my shift.

“I didn’t even see the puck go into the net. I looked at Bossy’s face, and when he looked straight at me, I knew he had done it.

“This four-game drought really started causing some crazy emotions inside of me. I’m glad it happened early in the game. I’m really thrilled it’s over.

“I really think it was hurting us. Everyone was conscious of trying to get me the big point. Now, we can concentrate on putting together a winning streak.”

Potvin broke the record in 882 games. Orr, whose skills at skating, handling the puck and shooting revolutionized the role of defensemen, was bothered by knee problems throughout his career and played in only 657 games.

“Obviously, I wouldn’t be close to the record if Bobby had not had bad knees,” Potvin said. “But I am excited about setting the record. I wanted to be compared with Bobby. That was my goal.”

Potvin, 32, began his career in 1973-74, the second season of the Islanders’ existence. He played a prominent role in the four consecutive Stanley Cups won by the Islanders to open the ‘80s.

St. Louis 5, Calgary 2--Goalie Rick Wamsley continued his hex over the faltering Flames in this game at St. Louis.

Wamsley stopped 41 shots and beat the Flames for the 11th time in 12 games. It was the fourth loss in a row for Calgary.

Mark Hunter scored two goals and assisted on another for the Blues, who stretched their lead over Chicago in the Norris Division to eight points.

Winnipeg 7, Washington 4--Scott Arniel and Paul MacLean each scored twice as the Jets got five goals in the third period at Winnipeg.

The Capitals, who had beaten Edmonton and had gone 2-0-1 on the trip West, held a 3-2 lead going into the last period.

The Jets had only 19 shots in the first two periods, but scored five times against Pete Peeters on 13 shots in the third period.

Vancouver 5, Toronto 3--Moe Lemay scored twice, and rookie goaltender Wendell Young blocked 17 shots in the final two periods for his first NHL victory.

Rick Vaive’s 14th goal of the season cut the Canucks’ lead to 4-3 on a power play at 9:47 of the third period, but Stan Smyl scored into an empty Toronto net, with goaltender Ken Wregget on the bench in favor of an extra skater, to secure the victory with 1:16 left in the game.

Young came into the game to start the second period, replacing Richard Brodeur, who pulled a back muscle.