Whalers Reject State’s Last Offer

Around the NHL

The Hartford Whalers rejected the state’s final offer Tuesday to build a multi-million dollar arena to keep the team in Hartford, a source told The Associated Press.

The team made the announcement during the latest round of negotiations aimed at saving the state’s only major league sports franchise.

Under their contract with the state the Whalers are committed to staying in Hartford through the end of next season, although the team has been weighing moves to other cities.

Whalers officials would not comment Tuesday.

On the ice

League-leading goaltender Patrick Roy stopped all 46 Hartford shots, including 23 in the first period, and the visiting Colorado Avalanche beat the Whalers 4-0.

The Whalers, who have dropped six straight, outshot the Avalanche 23-8 in the opening period, but still trailed 2-0 thanks to acrobatic goaltending by Roy and rebound goals by Mike Ricci and Valeri Kamensky.

It was Roy’s seventh shutout of the season, tying him for the league lead, and 37th lifetime. He leads the NHL with 36 wins.

The visiting Philadelphia Flyers took a major step toward a third consecutive Atlantic Division title and home ice in the playoffs, beating the New Jersey Devils 4-3.

The win gave the Flyers a four-point lead over the Devils in their Eastern Conference battle for home ice in the first three rounds. Philadelphia has eight games left in the regular season. New Jersey has nine.

Sabre goalie ailing

Buffalo Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek likely will be sidelined for at least three more games with a hairline fracture in one of his ribs.

The Sabres, who have clinched a playoff berth, are expected to start backup Steve Shields against the Islanders, Detroit and Chicago.