NHL ROUNDUP : North Stars’ Churla Finds a New Way to Do Damage

Shane Churla, known more for his fists than his scoring skills, had two goals as the Minnesota North Stars scored a 5-1 victory over the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Sunday night.

Churla, who had nine goals in 219 games, scored once during the first period as Minnesota took a 3-0 lead and added the fourth goal early in the third period.

With the increased numbers of penalties being called, Churla has been working harder on skating than fighting.

“I’ve really been telling myself to try and at least get a couple of shots on net,” Churla said. “I don’t think there’s any better feeling than scoring a goal.”

Stewart Gavin, Gaetan Duchesne and Russ Courtnall had the other goals for the North Stars (4-3-0).

The Maple Leafs (2-3-1), who got a third-period goal by Peter Zezel, failed on 11 power-play opportunities.

Chicago 3, Vancouver 1--Ed Belfour stopped 22 shots for his first victory of the season as the Blackhawks handed the Canucks their first loss at Chicago. The Blackhawks ended a three-game losing streak.

Belfour, the 1990-91 Vezina Trophy winner, was 0-2-1 in his first three starts, including a 4-3 loss Saturday night in Toronto on Saturday night.

First period goals by Jeremy Roenick and Dirk Graham and Chris Chelios’ 55-foot slap shot during the third period enabled the Blackhawks to end Vancouver’s four-game season-opening winning streak.

Philadelphia 5, Winnipeg 4--Rod Brind’Amour and Doug Evans scored in the final 1:36 at Philadelphia to end the Flyers’ three-game losing streak. Winnipeg has lost all four of its road games this season.

Brind’Amour scored on a tip-in at 18:24 of the third period to tie the score. Evans scored 16 seconds later on a slap shot from the right circle that bounced off the crossbar and past goaltender Bob Essensa.

N.Y. Rangers 4, N.Y. Islanders 3--John Vanbiesbrouck made 39 saves to extend his unbeaten streak at Madison Square Garden to 17 games.

Mike Gartner and Tony Amonte scored second-period power-play goals 1:40 apart as the Rangers avenged a 6-3 loss to the Islanders on Saturday night at the Nassau Coliseum.

Gartner’s goal, the 542nd of his career, moved him ahead of Stan Mikita into 10th place on the NHL’s all-time list.

Vanbiesbrouck, who won his only previous start at home this season, was 12-0-3 in his final 15 home starts last season. His last home loss was on Nov. 13, 1991, against Washington.