Mario Gosselin

The Hartford Whalers signed free-agent goalie Mario Gosselin to a multiyear contract. Gosselin, 28, played last season with the Kings' affiliate in Phoenix, posting a 3.86 goals-against average.

The Hartford Whalers signed free-agent goalie Mario Gosselin to a multiyear contract. Gosselin, 28, played last season with the Kings' affiliate in Phoenix, posting a 3.86 goals-against average.

The Quebec Nordiques released goaltender Mario Gosselin. "In the past two seasons, we have given (him) the chance to become our No. 1 goaltender," General Manager Martin Madden said, "but he hasn't accomplished what we thought he would." The Nordiques finished 27-46-7 this season, last in the Adams Division. Since joining the Nordiques in February 1984, Gosselin, 25, has compiled a 79-82-12 record with a 3.67 goals-against average.

Pat Verbeek's goal late in the third period capped a three-goal comeback by the Hartford Whalers, who defeated the New York Rangers, 5-4, at New York on Monday night. The Rangers trail the fourth-place New York Islanders by one point and the third-place New Jersey Devils by three points in the race for playoff berths in the Patrick Division. Mario Gosselin made 27 saves to preserve the victory for Hartford.

The Phoenix Roadrunners defeated the visiting Gulls, 5-3, Saturday handing them their eighth loss in a row. Five of the past eight losses have been by a single goal. The Gulls (24-30-7) have also lost seven consecutive times at Phoenix and are now in fourth place in the Western Division of the IHL. Phoenix improved to 29-25-5 to remain in third place in the West behind first-place Peoria and second-place Salt Lake City.

Bob Kudelski scored two goals and linemate Craig Duncanson had one in the Kings' 6-4 exhibition victory over the New York Rangers before 13,168 at Riverfront Coliseum Saturday night. The line of Kudelski, Duncanson and Hubie McDonough has had two solid showings. They played for the Kings' American Hockey League affiliate at New Haven, Conn., last season.

The Quebec Nordiques released goaltender Mario Gosselin. "In the past two seasons, we have given (him) the chance to become our No. 1 goaltender," General Manager Martin Madden said, "but he hasn't accomplished what we thought he would." The Nordiques finished 27-46-7 this season, last in the Adams Division. Since joining the Nordiques in February 1984, Gosselin, 25, has compiled a 79-82-12 record with a 3.67 goals-against average.

Paul MacLean scored a pair of goals and the Winnipeg Jets took a firm hold on third place in the Smythe Division with an 8-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Monday night at Winnipeg. The Jets have 56 points, five more than the Kings and the Canucks. Winnipeg chased Vancouver goalie Richard Brodeur by building a 7-1 lead on MacLean's second goal of the night with 10:26 remaining in the second period. Vancouver's Tony Tanti scored his 38th goal of the season.