NHL ROUNDUP : Canucks Fire McCammon; Quinn Will Take Over as Coach

Bob McCammon was fired as coach of the Vancouver Canucks after the team battled back for a 3-3 tie Thursday night against the New York Rangers at Vancouver.

Pat Quinn, team president and general manager, said he will replace McCammon behind the bench Saturday against the Kings in Los Angeles.

McCammon was in his fourth season as coach of the Canucks. Vancouver (19-30-5) is winless in five games and last in the Smythe Division.

The Canucks barried reporters from the dressing room after the game while Quinn met with McCammon.

“The team in the last month has not accomplished what they were capable of accomplishing,” Quinn said after the meeting. “We are heading in what I believe is the wrong direction.”

The Canucks have won twice in their last 17 games.

McCammon was asked to remain with the team in a management position, Quinn said. McCammon did not talk with reporters, but indicated to Quinn he would consider the offer.

Quinn has previous NHL coaching experience with the Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Canucks fired 62 shot--a team record--at goalie Mike Richter. Included in the total fired at the rookie goaltender was a Canuck-record 28 in the third period.

The NHL record is 83, by the Boston Bruins against Chicago goaltender Sam LoPresti on March 4, 1941.

Boston 5, Montreal 2--Ray Bourque broke a tie with a power play goal at the outset of the third period and Cam Neely added third-period goals as the Bruins won at Boston, their fourth victory in a row.

Washington 4, New York Islanders 3--Dale Hunter scored 1:44 into overtime at Uniondale, N.Y., as the Capitals beat New York for the sixth time in a row.

Quebec 4, Buffalo 1--Jacques Cloutier, starting his first game for Quebec, made 35 saves in a victory at Buffalo.

Philadelphia 4, Pittsburgh 2--The Flyers’ Ron Sutter scored twice at home in helping end the Penguin winning streak at four games.

St. Louis 4, Hartford 3--Rod Brind’Amour scored his second goal of the game from the slot with 4:05 left in overtime at St. Louis.