Roenick Returns With Win

Around the NHL

Jeremy Roenick went scoreless but still had a happy return to Chicago as his new team, the Phoenix Coyotes, defeated the Blackhawks 4-2 on Bob Corkum’s tiebreaking goal with 9:15 to play.

Dave Manson, Cliff Ronning and Keith Tkachuk also scored for the Coyotes, who are 8-2-0 since general manager John Paddock was fired Dec. 11. Phoenix (18-17-4) is over .500 for the first time since mid-October. Tony Amonte, Roenick’s high school teammate and close friend, scored both goals for the Blackhawks. Roenick’s contract impasse with the Blackhawks forced his trade to the Coyotes after an eight-year career that included three 100-point seasons.

Jaromir Jagr scored his NHL-leading 34th goal and Mario Lemieux had four assists to power Pittsburgh to 6-1 victory over New Jersey. The Penguins have a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1).

Mark Messier scored twice to lift the New York Rangers to a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders and move past Guy Lafleur into 11th place on the all-time NHL goal-scoring list.

All-star additions

Forwards Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Theoren Fleury of the Calgary Flames and Pavel Bure of the Vancouver Canucks are among 15 players added to the Western Conference roster for the NHL All-Star Game Jan. 18 in San Jose, Calif.

Also added were Edmonton center Jason Arnott, Colorado center Peter Forsberg, goaltender Andy Moog, center Mike Modano and defenseman Derian Hatcher of the Stars; goaltender Chris Osgood and center Steve Yzerman of Detroit; forwards Tony Amonte of Chicago and Owen Nolan of San Jose; and defensemen Al MacInnis of St. Louis, Rob Blake of Los Angeles and Oleg Tverdovsky of Phoenix.

Around the league

Boston goaltender Bill Ranford, who lost his offseason arbitration case and grumbled about his salary ever since, signed a three-year contract extension with the Bruins. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland and Pete Karmanos, the owner of the Hartford Whalers, will meet next week to discuss state efforts to keep the team from moving, including a proposal to refit the Civic Center with luxury boxes and turn arena operations over to the Whalers.

If the renovation proposal is acceptable to the Whalers, Rowland said he would like to see that idea pursued. But he said he is willing to talk about all options - even building a new arena.