European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 09, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday february 9, 1994 sports the stars and stripes Page 33 i moves to top spot by United press International the defending Stanley cup champions gave themselves a shot of Confidence monday night and at the same time moved to the top of their division. The new York rangers meanwhile stumbled on an unlikely bump in the Road. With the nil playoffs Only two months away it is time for the teams that expect to do Well in Fin a the Post season to begin. Asserting themselves. Montreal did that monday evening by Downing the Pittsburgh pen Guins something the canadians had not been Able to do in their last six meetings. Montreal s 4-1 win in Pittsburgh vaulted the canadians past the penguins into first place in the Northeast division. Pittsburgh had won its previous seven Home games but Patrick Roy made 38 saves to slow Down the penguins while Kirk Muller had a goal and two assists. Muller opened the scoring with a Power play goal at 6 29 of the first period taking a Mathieu Schneider pass from behind the net and beating Pitts Burgh goalie Ken Wreggit Schneider scored his Lith goal of the season 2 29 into the second period. The rangers meanwhile have been rolling along with a comfortable Lead in the Atlantic division but they fell victim at Home monday night to the washing ton capitals 4-1. Peter Bondra who scored four goals in one period and five Overall against Tampa Bay last saturday scored again against the rangers. Rick Tabaracci who has allowed Only Montreal goalie Patrick Roy blocks a shot by penguins Joe Mullen in first period action in Pittsburgh monday night. Four goals in his three starts against the rangers this year made 27 saves. Since Jim Schoenfeld took Over As coach of the capitals they have posted a5-2 Mark. In other games monday flames 4, oilers 3 at Calgary Robert Reichel scored two goals for the flames including one on penalty shot. Al Mclnnis added a goal and an assist for the flames who improved to 4-1 this season against their provincial rivals. Power play goals by German Titov and Reichel in the opening period staked the flames to a 2-0 Lead but Jason Arnott narrowed the deficit to 2-1 at the end of the opening period. Then with 1 36 to play in the second period Reichel was awarded the penalty shot and successfully converted. Lightning 2, Leafs 1 at Toronto Tim Bergland and Rudy Poeschel each scored a goal and Pat Jablonski made 24 saves for the Light Ning. The win snapped Tampa s four games inless Streak and upped its record to 2-1 against Toronto this season. Bergland and Poeschel two players not known for their scoring ability staked Tampa Bay Toa 2-0 Lead. Bergland who scored just ii goals in 128 games in parts of four seasons prior to this one scored his fifth Coal of the year Early in the first. Poeschel scored his third goal of the year in the second. Prior to this season Poeschel had scored no goals in 73 games in parts of five seasons in the nil. 76ers hand Charlotte its 7th straight defeat Aba by United press International when the Philadelphia 76ers traded away Charles Barkley More than a year ago the plan was to rebuild with youth. That plan is looking less and less Foolhardy All the time. Second year Forward Clarence Weatherspoon notched his first career triple double with 15points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists to Lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the reel ing Charlotte hornets 125-117. Jeff Hornacek acquired in the Deal for Barkley added a season High 36 Points including 20 in the first Quarter and Tim Perry also acquired with Hornacek netted a career High 31 for the mixers who won for the fifth time in their last eight games. Perry made a team record seven 3-Point ers hitting 7 of 15 from Long Range and Philadelphia attempted a club record 30,one shy of the Aba record. Former mixer Hersey Hawkins scored 31 Points and Muggsy Bogues had a Ca reer High 24 to Pace Charlotte which lost its season High seventh straight game. The injury riddled hornets once again played without Larry Johnson Alonzo mourning Scott Burrell Leron Ellis an Kenny Gattison. Philadelphia erupted for 45 Points in the first Quarter and held a 19-Poinl Lead late in the second Quarter but Charlotte scored the final 8 Points of the half to close within 75-64. Viu in will Lull Foj it Indiana s Haywoode Workman left steals the Ball from Golden state s Latrell sure the hornets then opened the third Well As pacers Reggie Miller looks on during first period action monday night Quarter with a 9-2 spurt to Cut the deficit to 77-73. The mixers built a 96-91 Lead after three quarters but Charlotte responded and pulled to 120-117 with 26.5 seconds logo. V the hornets could get no closer How Ever after Perry converted a 3-Point play with 18.3 seconds left. In other games monday Hawks 141, pistons 97 at Atlanta Stacey Augmon scored 26 Points and cookie Blaylock added 18points, helping the Hawks record the largest margin of Victory in franchise his tory. The 44-Point win eclipsed the pre Vious franchise record for margin of Vic tory 42 Points accomplished twice. Dominique Wilkins added 17 for the Hawks who recorded a season Best in Points and also shot a season High 64 per cent from the Field. Rookie Allan hous ton led the pistons who have dropped 23 of their last 25 games with 22 Points. Heat 96, knocks 85 at Miami Steve Smith scored 25 Points and Rony Seikaly and John Salley each contributed 22 to Power a second half comeback that enabled the heat to improve to 23-22, marking the latest Point in franchise history the heat has been Over the .500 Mark. Pacers 104, warriors 99 at Indianapolis Reggie Miller had nine of his 17 Points in the fourth Quarter and Rik Smits scored a season High 28 Points and grabbed 13 rebounds helping the pacers extend their winning Streak to six games