NHL Roundup : Clark’s Hat Trick Helps Beat Rangers

Rookie Wendel Clark snapped a 3-3 tie in the final minute of the second period Tuesday night at Toronto, then scored twice in the third period to lead the Maple Leafs to a 7-3 victory over the New York Rangers.

The Rangers, their defense playing exceedingly well, had won six in a row while yielding only 13 goals. They jumped in front, 2-0, in the first six minutes of the game.

They still led, 2-1, nearing the middle of the second period. But, after Russ Courtnall scored the tying goal, the Ranger defense fell apart and goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck was helpless against Clark’s onslaught.

In the previous three games, the Rangers had beaten Minnesota, St. Louis and Detroit while giving up only four goals.

They had climbed within three points of Pittsburgh in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Patrick Division. But the Rangers couldn’t handle the Leafs, who had won only 17 of 60 games.

Among other things, the Leafs managed to stop Pierre Larouche. The center, brought back from the minors earlier this month, had scored goals in seven consecutive games.

Clark, who has 26 goals, needs only three more in 19 games to break the Toronto record for most goals by a rookie. Walt Poddubny and Peter Ihnacak share the record of 28 in a season.

It was Clark’s first hat trick and led to the Leafs’ first win over the Rangers this season after two defeats.

Kjell Dahlin of Montreal, with 28 goals, is the only rookie in the league with more than Clark, a converted defenseman who has starred at left wing.

Boston 7, Quebec 4--Even a return to home ice failed to halt the Nordiques’ worst slump of the season.

Rookie right winger Dave Pasin scored twice in the third period to help the Bruins hand the Nordiques their fifth consecutive loss.

Apparently, the Nordiques are still in shock from the upset last week by the Kings at Quebec.

They went on the road and lost at New Jersey, Minnesota and Winnipeg, before returning home for this one.

With the score tied, 4-4, Pasin flipped a shot over sprawled goaltender Mario Gosselin at 3:01 of the final period. Ken Linseman made it a two-goal lead, and Pasin scored again to turn it into a rout.

The victory moved the Bruins within three points of Quebec in the battle for second in the Adams Division.

Calgary 4, St. Louis 1--Defenseman Gary Suter scored a disputed goal late in the second period at St. Louis as the Flames went on to beat the Blues for the first time in six games.

The Blues argued in vain that goaltender Rick Wamsley scooped up Suter’s shot before it crossed the goalline.

Joe Mullen, in his first game against his former mates, scored the last goal for the Flames. Mullen was in his fifth season with the Blues when he was traded.

Washington 4, Detroit 3--Defenseman Peter Andersson scored 36 seconds into overtime at Landover, Md., to give the Capitals a hard-earned victory.

Bob Carpenter’s 20th goal of the season gave Washington a 3-2 lead early in the third period. But Gerard Gallant scored before the middle of the period to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Bob Gould passed from behind the net to Andersson, who beat goalie Greg Stefan to extend Washington goalie Pete Peeters’ unbeaten string against the Wings to 12 games (11-0-1).