Pens’ Wregget Sends Lalime To Bench

Around the NHL

Patrick Lalime knew he’d have to step aside sooner or later, and the day has finally arrived.

Ken Wregget has recovered from a severe hamstring injury suffered Dec. 26 and was scheduled to return as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ goaltender today against Philadelphia. But that doesn’t mean he’ll stay there.

Instead of falling apart in Wregget’s absence, the Penguins thrived with the help of rookie Lalime, who posted a stellar 18-4-2 record. He has allowed an average of 2.50 goals per game with a save percentage of .925.

Wregget was 12-10-3 with a 3.09 goals-against average and .908 save percentage before the injury. He has been out of action about seven weeks.

Lalime likely will split time with Wregget the rest of the regular season.

NHL announces fines

The San Jose Sharks were fined $7,500 and the Vancouver Canucks $2,500 on Friday because of a brawl in the closing seconds of a Jan. 27 game in Vancouver.

“The San Jose club received the larger fine because two of its players attempted to precipitate further altercations in the area of the Vancouver bench following an initial altercation,” the league said in a statement.

The league also fined Hartford Whalers right wing Kelly Chase for publicly criticizing officials after a recent overtime loss in Montreal.

Following the game, Chase told reporters, “I’ll pay a fine for (Fraser). He should be embarrassed and pay a fine for the job he did. It’s always the same bull.”

Stars come back for OT win over Red Wings

Mike Kennedy scored the game-winner with 2:57 left in overtime after Benoit Hogue notched the tying goal with 45.2 seconds remaining in regulation as the Dallas Stars beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3.

Hogue scored his 13th when the Stars pulled goaltender Arturs Irbe for a sixth attacker, then Kennedy got his first of the season on a rebound in overtime. Brendan Shanahan had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings, giving him seven goals and three assists in his last three games.