Francis Joins 500-Goal Club

The Boston Bruins weren’t slowed down by Ron Francis or any of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Bill Guerin scored two goals, Glen Murray had one in the first 12 minutes, and the Bruins used a four-goal first period to defeat the Hurricanes, 6-3, Wednesday night at Raleigh, N.C.

One bright spot for the Hurricanes came in the first period, when Ron Francis scored his 500th career goal. The Carolina captain joined Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Mark Messier and Marcel Dionne as the other players in the 500-goal, 1,000-assist club.

“You hope it comes in a victory, but it didn’t,” Francis said. “It’s still a very special milestone and a club I’m very proud to be a part of.”

The Bruins have won six of seven to move into first place in the Eastern Conference.

Guerin completed his second career hat trick by scoring into an empty net with 42.1 seconds left.

Dallas 2, Atlanta 1--Mike Modano scored a power-play goal at Dallas, becoming the fourth U.S.-born player to score 400 goals.

Joe Nieuwendyk’s power-play goal with 9:08 remaining was the game-winner.

Atlanta, which got a goal from Tony Hrkac, is 2-10-3 in its last 15 games.

Minnesota 2, Tampa Bay 0--Dwayne Roloson turned away 36 shots to lift the Wild at St. Paul, Minn.

Marian Gaborik scored his team-leading 16th goal, helping the Wild end a three-game skid.

Darby Hendrickson scored the other goal.

The Lightning lost their fourth in a row despite outshooting the Wild, 36-20.

Roloson, who recorded his third shutout this season and fifth of his career, was 0-4-1 in five December starts, giving up at least three goals in each game.

San Jose 5, Philadelphia 2--Gary Suter’s 200th career goal was the difference at San Jose.

Owen Nolan had a goal and two assists, and Adam Graves, Scott Thornton and Todd Harvey scored for the Sharks, who were 0-4-1 in their last five games.