NHL ROUNDUP : Ranger Rookie Helps Stop Whalers, 7-3

A No. 3 goaltender in the National Hockey League usually spends most of his time on the bench or in the minors.

Rookie Mike Richter, who ranks behind goalies John Vanbiesbrouck and Bob Froese on the New York Rangers, doesn’t know what to expect. But he’s intent on making the most of his moments.

Richter, a 23-year-old Pennsylvanian who played for the U.S. Olympic team in 1988, impressed in his NHL regular-season debut Thursday night at New York.

Richter, who made a start in the playoffs last spring, turned aside 24 shots and survived a penalty shot to help the Rangers to a 7-3 victory over the Hartford Whalers.

Ulf Dahlen scored twice as the Rangers, leading the Patrick Division, improved their record to 5-1-1.

In the second period, Kevin Dineen, a 45-goal scorer for the Whalers last season, was awarded a penalty shot when he was dragged down by Dave Shaw on a breakaway. Richter held his ground as Dineen skated in, refused to be faked out and Dineen shot the puck wide of the net.

Before he settled down, Richter, who played more than 3,000 minutes last season for Denver of the International League, gave up an early goal to Pat Verbeek. But the Rangers scored four times in 11 minutes, and Richter took charge.

In the last two periods, Richter stopped 17 shots and gave up only one goal.

It was Richer’s first appearance in 19 days. His previous start was Sept. 30 in a 3-1 exhibition win over Pittsburgh.

“I don’t figure to get many chances on a team with goaltenders as good as the two we have,” Richter said. “All I can do is maintain a positive attitude and be ready when I do get called.”

Quebec 5, Chicago 3--It is a rebuilding season for the Nordiques, and in the last two games the club appears to be getting the idea.

Ken McRae’s first NHL goal provided the game-winner and Peter Stastny’s empty-net goal finished it at Chicago. It was Stastny’s 1,000th point.

Detroit 4, St. Louis 3--Joe Murphy picked up a loose puck and beat rookie goalie Pat Jablonski with a 40-foot shot to break a 3-3 tie with 81 seconds left in regulation at St. Louis.

Earlier in the final period, the Red Wings tied the game when Mike O’Connell and Petr Klima scored just 28 seconds apart.