Nhl -- Panthers Deal It To `Beezer' -- Vanbiesbrouck Gets $6.5 Million Contract On `Dreamy' Day

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. - It took a simple stroke of a pen by goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, one of the Florida Panthers' few marquee names, to seal a contract extension that could keep him in a Panther uniform through the 1997-98 season.

"Financially, it is the biggest day of my career," Vanbiesbrouck said at the Panther practice rink, drinking a cola and flanked by his wife, Rosalinde. "I never dreamed coming into this game I would ever make this money."

Vanbiesbrouck, known affectionately as "Beezer," signed a deal worth approximately $6.5 million, not including bonuses.

The 13-year veteran has won 226 games and has a lifetime goals-against average of 2.51.

He has been the main reason the expansion team has made runs at the playoffs - missing by just one point in each of its two seasons. He had a goals-against-average of 2.53 and 2.47 in those two years and in 1993-1994 was a first-team All Star selection.

Earlier this year, when he couldn't agree to terms, Vanbiesbrouck was bitter and filed for arbitration, in which he was awarded $2.18 million for this year. But Vanbiesbrouck, who would have become an unrestricted free agent after this season, wanted a three-year commitment.

He will become the eighth-highest-paid goalie in the NHL.

Vanbiesbrouck said he never considered holding out for a new contract, "because I made a commitment to the team and I didn't want it to become a problem." Asked if he considered playing out the season and then going to a team with better odds of making an appearance in the Stanley Cup, Vanbiesbrouck said, "From the beginning, I wanted to stay in Florida and have security for my family."

"South Florida has been very good to my family and it's a great place to live," Vanbiesbrouck said. "And, like I said the other day, every player on this team is committed to playing hard for this team and the city."

General Manager Brian Murray said Vanbiesbrouck's signing reiterates the Panthers' commitment to building a winner.

"The plan very definitely is to have outstanding goaltending this year and, hopefully, for two more years in Florida," Murray said.

Last night's games

At Los Angeles 7, Vancouver 7 - Vitali Yachmenev scored twice and Wayne Gretzky had a goal and three assists as the Kings tied the Canucks. The Kings rebounded from a four-goal deficit with six consecutive goals over the final two periods to take a 7-5 lead. But they blew the lead on a critical holding penalty against Sean O'Donnell at 17:13 of the third period. That gave Vancouver its fifth power-play opportunity of the game and Russ Courtnall scored 12 seconds later to tie it. Roman Oksuita had put the Canucks just one goal down at 16:40.

Boston 6, at San Jose 6 - Adam Oates had two goals and two assists for the Bruins in the tie. Steve Heinze added two goals for the Bruins, who have a 5-0-2 record against the Sharks. Dave Reid scored the night's final goal, tying the game for Boston with 8:53 left in the third period. Craig Janney had a goal and three assists to tie a San Jose record for points in a game. Shawn McEachern had a career-high four points for Boston with a goal and three assists.

At New Jersey 4, Winnipeg 1 - Steve Thomas continued his campaign to make New Jersey fans forget playoff MVP Claude Lemieux by scoring twice to lead the Devils to victory. Thomas, who was acquired just before the season in a trade for the disgruntled Lemieux, put New Jersey ahead 2:29 into the game, knocking the rebound of a Stephane Richer shot past Jets goalie Tim Cheveldae. Thomas, who had an assist in his first game, got his second goal midway through the second period with New Jersey skating with a two-man advantage.

At Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 1 - Petr Klima scored twice as the Lightning continued its home-ice domination of Montreal. The Lightning's home record against Montreal to 5-0-1 in their four-year history. They also hold a 6-3-1 overall series advantage. It was the third straight loss for the Canadiens.

At Chicago 5, Pittsburgh 1 - Jeff Shantz scored a short-handed goal and Patrick Poulin netted two as Chicago won its home opener. Gary Suter and Bernie Nicholls also scored for Chicago, who got 28 saves from Ed Belfour. Mario Lemieux ruined Belfour's shutout bid by scoring a short-handed goal with 8:11 to play but otherwise struggled.

"It's early in the season and the timing is not quite there," said Lemieux, who tied Jean Beliveau for 20th place on the NHL's all-time scoring list with 1,219 points. "I'm feeling good, although it was a little off night for myself and the team."

St. Louis 3, at Dallas 1 - Grant Fuhr turned aside 35 shots for his 292nd career victory and Brian Noonan snapped a 1-1 tie with a power-play goal in the second period to lift the Blues. The Blues were outshot 36-19 but they beat Stars goalie Andy Moog three times on their first 13 shots. Only Moog has more career victories than Fuhr among active goaltenders, with 313.