Messier Hits Historic Goal

NHL

Mark Messier scored three goals, including the 500th of his career, as the New York Rangers beat the visiting Calgary Flames 4-2 Monday night.

Messier beat goaltender Rick Tabaracci on a wrist shot with 7:28 left to become the 21st player in NHL history to reach 500 goals.

Calgary 1 0 1 - 2

N.Y. Rangers 0 1 3 - 4

First period-1, Cal, Stern 2 (Lapointe, Kruse), 16:56.

Second period-2, NY, Messier 6 (Driver, Leetch), 6:51 (pp).

Third period-3, NY, Messier 7 (Samuelsson), 4:18. 4, NY, Graves 8 (Leetch, Messier), 5:55 (pp). 5, Calgary, Housley 4, 9:41. 6, NY, Messier 8 (Graves), 12:32.

Shots on goal-Cal 11-5-8-24. NY 5-15-9-29.Power-play opp.-Cal 0 of 3; NY 1 of 6.Goalies-Cal, Tabaracci 1-4-0 (27 shots-23 saves), Kidd (12:51 third, 2-2). NY, Richter 4-5-0 (24-22).A-18,200 (18,200).

Slap shots

The Hartford Whalers fired coach Paul Holmgren and replaced him with Paul Maurice, a former coach of the Detroit Junior Red Wings… . Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux, who had three goals and eight assists in two games, was chosen NHL player of the week… . A new lease to keep the Stanley Cup champion Devils in New Jersey for the next 12 years is expected to be signed today… . An investigation by the Dallas Morning News found that Dallas Star owner Norm Green is $60 million in debt and his largest creditor, Alberta Trust bank, could seize the team if Green doesn’t complete his sale of part of the club to businessman John Spano.