Maple Leafs Outlast Kings; Fox Scores 3 Goals in Vain

TORONTO —  Czechoslovakian linemates Miroslav Frycer and Peter Ihnacak picked up three points each and center Tom Fergus contributed his 30th and 31st goals of the season as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Kings, 7-6, Monday night despite a third-period hat trick by the Kings’ Jim Fox.

Frycer got his 26th and 27th goals of the season, both set up by Ihnacak, and assisted on his linemate’s 18th to propel the Leafs to a 4-1 lead midway through the second period. But it took the two goals by Fergus--one in the second and another early in the third--to keep the Maple Leafs in front.

The victory moved the fourth-place Maple Leafs 16 points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings in the Norris Division. Both teams have 10 games left.

The Kings, holding down the fourth and final playoff position in the Smythe Division, dropped to 21-42-7 for 49 points, one ahead of Vancouver.

Rookie Wendel Clark, with his 31st, and Dan Daoust scored the other goals for the Leafs. Rick Vaive had three assists.

Clark’s goal, which came in a scramble in front of the King goal with 3:17 left to play, was the game-winner.

Fox had an assist in addition to the three goals, while Bernie Nicholls picked up a goal and three assists. Fox’s last goal came with just one second to play.

Other King goals went to Dave (Tiger) Williams and Bryan Erickson, while defenseman Jay Wells assisted on three goals.

Both teams had 32 shots on goal, with Bob Janecyk starting for the Kings and being replaced by Roland Melanson at 12:23 of the second period. Don Edwards was in goal for the Maple Leafs until midway through the third period, when he was replaced by Ken Wregget.

King center Marcel Dionne, who needs two points to pass Phil Esposito to become the No. 2 scorer in NHL history and one assist to become No. 2 in assists, was scoreless.

The Kings play the Washington Capitals tonight at Landover, Md.