NHL Roundup : Buffalo Coach Raps Officials After Loss

Even the Minnesota North Stars, 5-4 winners over the Sabres Friday night at Buffalo, couldn’t find any kind words for referee Mike Noeth.

“I can’t believe some of the calls--or the lack of them,” Coach Herb Brooks of the North Stars said. Turning to a reporter, he added, “Pay my fine and I’ll tell you all about it.”

Brian Bellows scored his 12th goal of the season on a power play with 6:28 left to break a 4-4 tie and end Minnesota’s three-game losing streak.

“It’s frustrating to have a game taken away, and I reiterate, taken away,” Buffalo Coach Ted Sator told the Associated Press. “And it was taken away by the Minnesota North Stars.

“I’m frustrated for our team because our guys played well. It’s one of those things they were supposed to clean up this year, the high sticking, the holding, the clutching and the grabbing away from the puck.

“If we’re asking the playing standards to improve on a National Hockey League level, officiating has to be addressed, and it can’t be inconsistent as it has.”

Third-period goals by Phil Housley (the 11th for the defenseman) and Scott Arniel (a short-handed goal) enabled the Sabres to battle from behind for the tie.

But Sator was upset when a tripping penalty on rookie Calle Johansson at 12:17 set up the winning goal.

With Johansson in the penalty box, Bellows blasted home a 15-footer to decide the game.

Vancouver 6, Quebec 4--Tony Tanti, Dan Hodgson and Greg Adams scored power-play goals as the Canucks overcame a 2-0 deficit at Vancouver.