NHL Roundup : Former Goalie for Flyers Returns, Beats Them

It was by no means just another game for goaltender Bob Froese.

In probably his best game since last season, Froese made a number of spectacular saves Saturday at Philadelphia to lead the New York Rangers to a 3-1 victory over his former team, the Flyers.

Last year, Froese was the Flyers’ No. 1 goalie. He led them to the second-best record and the best goals-against average in the National Hockey League and barely missed winning the Vezina Trophy, which goes to the goalie judged to be the best in the league.

Despite his brilliant season, Froese lost his job in training camp last summer to rookie Ron Hextall, demanded to be traded and finally was dealt to the Rangers in mid-December. This was his first appearance against his former mates.

He stopped 28 shots and became a winner when Pierre Larouche found a loose puck five feet from the net and drove it past Hextall near the middle of the last period.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a personal victory,” Froese told the Associated Press. “I have no bitterness toward Philadelphia. It’s just part of my life that’s over.

“The guys mentioned they knew how much it meant to me and then went out and played brilliantly. I don’t think they (the Flyers) had a shot in the last six or seven minutes.”

But early, Froese, who has won four of his last five starts, was under tremendous pressure. He stopped high-scoring Peter Zezel on a breakaway, then made a sensational stop of Derrick Smith’s low slapshot on a 2-on-1 break.

Froese lost his shutout halfway through the second period when Murray Craven beat him with a backhand shot.

Froese’s former coach, Mike Keenan appeared reluctant to give the goaltender any credit. Keenan blamed the Flyers’ problems on injuries to seven players.

“We were unable to generate goals for whatever reason,” he said. “We just couldn’t put the puck in the net. Both goalies played well when they had to.”

Although they still trail the Patrick Division-leading Flyers by 24 points, the Rangers, by winning, moved into fourth place, just two points behind the Washington Capitals.

Boston 6, Winnipeg 3--The Bruins are making it a three-way battle for the Adams Division title.

Rookie Bob Sweeney and veteran Charlie Simmer scored goals just 16 seconds apart in the second period at Boston to put an end to the Jets’ amazing seven-game unbeaten string on the road. The Jets were 6-0-1 on the streak.

The Bruins, who spent more than half the season alternating hot and cold spells, have won seven of their last eight games and closed in on Hartford and Montreal.

Simmer also scored into and empty net with eight seconds left. Cam Neely scored twice for the Bruins.

New York Islanders 4, Hartford 2--The Islanders welcomed back their leading scorer, Mike Bossy, but it was Paul Flatley, who spoiled the game at Uniondale, N.Y., for the Whalers.

Flatley had two goals and an assist as the Islanders knocked the Whalers out of first place in the Patrick Division. Bossy missed six games with a back injury. The Islanders ended a five-game home winless streak.

Detroit 4, Toronto 2--Joe Kocur scored twice in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the third period at Toronto to break open a close game and put the Red Wings within one point of first place in the Norris Division.

Calgary 5, New Jersey 3--The Flames spotted the Devils a 2-0 lead, then came back to score four goals in the second period at Calgary and went on to stretch their unbeaten string to three games.

Peter McNab and Ken Daneyko scored to give the Devils their 2-0 lead. But the Flames wound up firing 41 shots at goalie Alain Chevrier.

St. Louis 4, Chicago 4--Mark Hunter scored his 25th goal midway through the third period at St. Louis, and the Blues barely managed to hold onto the tie in overtime.

Al Secord of the Blackhawks fired the puck past goaltender Greg Millen in overtime, but referee Bob Myers disallowed the goal because Curt Fraser of the Blackhawks had fallen into the net.