NHL Roundup : Whalers Cool Off Bruins, Force 3-Way Tie for First

The Boston Bruins’ winning streak was stopped at seven games as the Hartford Whalers won, 6-5, Thursday night at Boston.

“We certainly didn’t quit,” Boston Coach Terry O’Reilly said. “We got ourselves behind the 8-ball, and it seemed we were fighting back from three goals down most of the night.

“I’m not happy that we lost, but I didn’t see any serious problems out there.”

Paul Lawless, Mike McEwen and Kevin Dineen scored on Hartford power plays, and the Whalers spoiled Charlie Simmer’s ninth National Hockey League hat trick by hanging on for the victory.

With goalie Steve Weeks making 28 saves in just his seventh appearance of the season, the Whalers climbed into a tie with Boston and idle Montreal for the Adams Division lead.

The Whalers, who capitalized on three extra-man advantages, killed six of eight Boston power plays on the way to ending Bruin goalie Doug Keans’ 10-game unbeaten streak. Keans, who had been 8-0-2 in his string, had 22 saves.

Philadelphia 9, New York Islanders 4--Tim Kerr and Dave Poulin each scored three goals in leading the Flyers to a rout of the Islanders at Philadelphia.

Kerr scored his 24th, 25th and 26th goals of the season, while Poulin got his eighth, ninth and 10th, even though the Flyers were outshot, 38-25. Kerr and Pouin both completed their hat tricks in the third period.

The Flyers blitzed starting goalie Billy Smith for three goals on their first four shots of the game.

St. Louis 3, Winnipeg 3--Dale Hawerchuk scored his second goal of the game with 3:50 left in regulation, exactly one minute after he set up a goal by linemate Brian Mullen, lifting the Jets to a tie at St. Louis.

Hawerchuk, the Jets’ leading scorer, got his 20th and 21st goals of the season.

Mark Reeds had two goals for the Blues, giving him five for the season. Reeds was playing just his second game after missing 10 games with second- and third-degree burns on his right hand.

Minnesota 6, Toronto 5--Neal Broten’s goal 2:10 into overtime gave Minnesota a victory at Toronto and extended the North Stars’ undefeated streak against the Maple Leafs to 13 games.

Brian MacLellan passed from behind the Leafs’ net, and Broten shed a check and re-directed the puck past goaltender Ken Wregget. Broten was making his return after missing 20 games with a separated shoulder.

For the North Stars, Brian Bellows and Dirk Graham scored short-handed goals, and Dino Ciccarelli got his 30th goal of the season.

Calgary 6, Quebec 2--Joey Mullen scored twice in a four-goal first period to lead the Flames at Calgary.

Carey Wilson, Steve Bozek, Jamie Macoun and Jim Peplinski each added a goal for Calgary, while Alain Cote and Brent Ashton scored for the Nordiques.