NHL ROUNDUP : Belfour Makes Himself and Blackhawks No. 1

Ed Belfour is proof that training camp can be important.

When the Chicago Blackhawks began preseason preparations, the former North Dakota University goaltender was No. 7 on the list of goalies. By the time the season began, Belfour had moved to No. 1 for the defending Norris Division champions.

The weak spot of the Blackhawks last season was their defense. Largely because of Belfour, it has become the strongest.

Belfour turned aside 32 shots Sunday at Chicago in the Blackhawks’ 5-2 victory over the Minnesota North Stars to become the first goalie to win 21 games in the NHL this season.

Jeremy Roenick provided the offense, getting a hat trick. Two of the goals came when the Blackhawks scored three power-play goals in 4:29 of the second period.

Coach Mike Keenan credits Belfour for the Blackhawks having the best record in the NHL--23-11-2.

“This team has united behind Belfour,” he said. “And the crowd responds for him at home.”

Belfour, 25, played in only 33 NHL games previously, nine of them last spring in the playoffs. There was no indication he would become the inspirational leader.

“I have 21 victories,” Belfour said, “but it’s mainly because the players in front of me have had a tremendous season. I’m lucky to have them.”

Roenick, a second-year center from Boston, scored into an empty net for his third hat trick and 17th goal.

Calgary 5, Vancouver 2--The Flames’ special teams these days are just that--special.

Joe Nieuwendyk and Al MacInnis scored power-play goals less than a minute apart in the first period at Vancouver and the Flames extended their unbeaten string to 6-0-3.

The Flames, who lead the league with 43 power-play goals, stretched their lead over the Kings in the Smythe Division to five points.

MacInnis, a defenseman, scored on another power play in the last period and has 10 this season.

The Flames, among the leaders in penalty killing, also scored a short-handed goal.

St. Louis 5, Buffalo 3--Brett Hull scored twice at Buffalo and the Blues kept pace with Chicago.

The Blues, tied with Calgary for the second-best record, trail the Blackhawks by four points.

Hull’s league-leading 33rd goal broke a 3-3 tie in the second minute of the third period. Hull is averaging a goal per game.

Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 1--Former King defenseman Larry Murphy, recently traded again, scored his first goal for the Penguins in this game at Pittsburgh.

Tom Barrasso, getting only his third start in the last 12 games, stopped 40 shots as the Penguins won their third in a row.

Joe Mullen, Bryan Trottier and Paul Coffey scored within seven minutes in the second period.

Philadelphia 4, Winnipeg 2--Rick Tocchet scored what proved to be the game-winner in the second period at Winnipeg.

The Flyers outshot the Red Wings, 39-21.