NHL Roundup : Froese, Flyers’ Top Goalie Last Year, Spectator Now

Bob Froese is the forgotten man of the National Hockey League. A year ago, he was the most effective goaltender in the league.

After the auto accident that killed No. 1 goalie Pelle Lindbergh, the Philadelphia Flyers turned to Froese, who helped them compile the best record and the best goals-against mark in the league.

A hot rookie, Ron Hextall, took the No. 1 job away from Froese in training camp. And, now, on the rare occasion that Hextall needs a rest, it is veteran Glenn Resch, not Froese, who gets the nod.

With the St. Louis Blues providing the opposition Tuesday night at Philadelphia, Hextall sat out for only the fourth time in 24 games. Resch gave up a power-play goal in the first period, but that was all, and Brian Propp scored four goals to lead the soaring Flyers to a 7-1 victory.

Resch, 38, stopped 26 shots and improved his record to 2-0. The Flyers, with easily the best record in the NHL, are 18-4-2.

Froese, 28, has asked to be traded. General Manager Bobby Clarke said he is trying to make a deal, but almost a month has passed and he hasn’t been able to make a trade.

“I can understand his position,” Clarke said. “He’s a No. 1 goalie. Last season, he was as good a goalie as any in the league. But we want value received in a trade.”

Last season, in 51 games, Froese had a goals-against record of 2.55 and was 31-10-3. He feels he deserves a chance to be No. 1.

“I’ve always strived for more ice time,” Froese said. “Everyone wants that. Nobody dreams of being No. 2. It is frustrating not getting to play.”

Propp had only 11 goals in the first 23 games, but he scored twice in the first period and twice in the last to make it easy for Resch.

New Jersey 8, New York Rangers 5--New Coach Tom Webster is finding it difficult to gain his first NHL victory. After two ties, his team lost at East Rutherford, N.J.

Greg Adams and John MacLean each scored twice as the Devils won their fifth in a row at home and pulled six points ahead of the Rangers in the bid for a playoff spot in the Patrick Division.

The Rangers, trailing 6-2, rallied in the third period to score three times in just over two minutes. But Jan Ludvig came out of the penalty box to take a pass from Mel Bridgman and score the back-breaking goal for the Devils at 8:27.

Minnesota 5, Buffalo 4--Gordie Roberts scored his first goal of the season halfway through the last period to snap a tie and give the North Stars the victory before 9,560, the smallest crowd at Buffalo in 15 years.

It was the Sabres’ first game in eight years without Scotty Bowman as coach and general manager.

New York Islanders 3, Calgary 3--Joe Mullen scored on a rare penalty shot with 6:21 left in regulation at Calgary to give the Flames the tie.

Mullen was awarded the penalty shot when he was tripped on a breakaway by Islander defenseman Ken Leiter. He skated in and lifted the puck over prone goaltender Kelly Hrudey.

The Islanders held a 3-1 lead before Brian Bradley knocked in a rebound at 4:16 of the third period.

Chicago 4, Vancouver 2--Power-play goals by defenseman Bob Murray and center Troy Murray 47 seconds apart in the second period helped the Blackhawks beat the Canucks at Vancouver.

The Hawks scored four consecutive goals in the second period on only seven shots against Vancouver goalie Frank Caprice, making his first regular-season appearance since last December.